La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § XLVII-3325

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024

Section XLVII-3325 - Licensure by Examination

A. In order to be licensed as a registered nurse in Louisiana, all registered nurse applicants shall take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

1. The licensing examination (NCLEX-RN) shall be authorized by the Board of Nursing in accordance with the contract between the board and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.

2. Each examination shall be given under the direction of the executive director of the board or another designee of the board.

3. Individual results from the examination shall be released to individual candidates and to the director of their nursing education program. Aggregate results are published for statistical purposes.

B. Requirements for eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN in Louisiana include:

1. evidence of good moral character;

2. successful completion of a nursing education program approved by the board, or successful completion of a nursing education program located in another country or approved by another board of nursing which program meets or exceeds the educational standards for nursing education programs in Louisiana;

3. recommendation by the director of the school of nursing;

4. completion of the application form to include criminal records check as directed by the executive director of the board;

5. remittance of the required fee;

6. freedom from violations of R.S. 37:911 et seq., or of §3331 or other administrative rules;

7. freedom from acts or omissions which constitute grounds for disciplinary action as defined in R.S. 37:921 and §3403 and 3405; or if found guilty of committing such acts or omissions, the board finds, after investigation, that sufficient restitution, rehabilitation, and education have occurred; and

8. evidence of proficiency in the English language if a graduate of a nursing program offered in a foreign country. Graduates of foreign nursing schools (except Canadian schools) must produce evidence of successful completion of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (COGFNS) Examination.

C. Requirements for retaking the NCLEX-RN: Applicants for licensure by examination shall pass the exam within four attempts and within four years of graduation.

D. Applicants who falsify the application for examination will be denied licensure in accordance with LAC 46:XLVII.3331.

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § XLVII-3325

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Board of Nursing, LR 7:77 (March 1981), amended by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Nursing, LR 21:804 (August 1995), LR 23:960 (August 1997, LR 24:1293 (July 1998).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:918, 37:920 and 37:921.