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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
nursing board; licensure; appropriation
Purpose
Requires the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) to issue a license or certificate to an out-of-state advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) or registered nurse (RN) within five business days after receipt of an application and the associated fees if outlined conditions are met. Appropriates $100,000 and one FTE from the Arizona Board of Nursing Fund in FY 2025 to the AZBN to comply with prescribed expedited licensure requirements.
Background
The AZBN was
established to protect and promote the welfare of the public by ensuring that
each person holding a nursing license or certificate is competent to practice
safely. The AZBN fulfills its mission through: 1) approving regulated training
and educational programs;
2) establishing approval and reapproval processes for nursing and nursing
assistant training programs; 3) preparing and maintaining a list of approved
nursing programs; 4) examining qualified registered and practical nurse
applicants; 5) licensing and renewing the licenses of qualified registered and
practical nurse applicants and licensed nursing assistants; 6) adopting rules
pertaining to the practice of nursing; 7) determining and administering
appropriate disciplinary action against regulated parties who are found guilty
of misconduct; and 8) enforcing fingerprint clearance card requirements. Nurses
are licensed or certified by the AZBN and each licensee or certified nurse must
meet outlined requirements including completing the appropriate program, filing
an application with the AZBN, paying the prescribed fee and any additional
requirements as determined by the AZBN (A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 15,
Article 1 and 2).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the AZBN to issue a license or certificate to an out of state APRN or RN within five business days after receipt of an application and associated fees if the person:
a) holds an APRN or RN license or certificate to practice in at least one other U.S. state or territory that is in good standing in all states and territories in which the person is licensed to practice;
b) provides proof of a valid, unencumbered license or certificate in another state or territory through AZBN review of a national nurse license verification system or by other means as determined sufficient by the AZBN;
c) has not had a license or certificate revoked or voluntarily surrendered in another state or territory while under investigation by a licensing entity;
d) has had discipline imposed by a licensing entity in another state or territory if the AZBN determines that the matter has been resolved;
e) does not have a complaint or investigation pending before a licensing entity in any state or territory;
f) provides proof of having a federal criminal background check already completed by a licensing entity in another state or territory; and
g) is a resident of Arizona or attests that the person is physically working or has accepted an offer to physically work in Arizona.
2. Prohibits the AZBN from issuing or denying a license or certificate to an applicant if the applicant has a pending disciplinary action, complaint or investigation against the applicant's license in another state or territory and the matter has not been resolved.
3. Requires the AZBN to:
a) accept another state or territory licensing entity's requirement for a federal criminal background check as sufficient proof that the applicant has completed a federal criminal background check before issuing a license or certificate to the applicant; and
b) acknowledge the date of receipt of an application for expedited licensure by written or oral communication to the applicant.
4. Directs the AZBN, within five days of receiving an application, to:
a) provide the applicant notice of approval or a written explanation of reasons the applicant is not eligible for expedited licensure or certification; and
b) further investigate an application, as necessary, to determine if the applicant may be licensed.
5. Subjects a person who is granted an expedited license or certificate to the laws governing APRN and RN practice in Arizona and to the jurisdiction of the AZBN.
6. Specifies that an expedited license is only valid:
a) in Arizona; and
b) until the license renewal date.
7.
Waives application and expedited license fees for U.S. military veterans
and spouses of
active-duty military members.
8. Allows an RN to be appointed to fill a vacancy on the AZBN if a qualified candidate cannot be identified within 90 days after the vacancy occurs.
9. Defines licensing entity as a state's or territory's regulatory body that is responsible for regulating the practice of nursing and advanced practice registered nursing.
10. Appropriates $100,000 and one FTE from the Board of Nursing Fund to the AZBN in FY 2025 for the expedited licensure of out-of-state RNs and APRNs, as prescribed.
11. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing.
12. Makes technical changes.
13. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
HHS 2/5/24 DPA 9-1-0-0
APPROP 2/7/24 DPA 17-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/29/24 55-4-0-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 15, 2024
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