La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § XLVII-3333

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

Section XLVII-3333 - Renewal of License

A. Every person holding a license to practice as a RN and/or an APRN, and intending to practice during the ensuing year, shall renew his or her license biennially prior to the expiration of his or her license. This does not apply to licensees who hold an active RN multistate license in a compact state other than Louisiana exercising their privilege to practice. The board shall furnish an online, electronic application for renewal of a license which is accessible to every person who holds a current license. The licensee shall complete the renewal application during the active renewal season and before January 1. Upon completion of the application and submission of any supporting documentation and the renewal fee as required under §3341, the board shall verify the accuracy of the application and issue to the licensee a license of renewal for the current year beginning February 1 and expiring January 31. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Applications submitted after December 31 shall be considered late and are subject to the fee as required under §3341 for late renewals. Failure to renew a license prior to expiration shall result in an inactive license and subjects the individual to forfeiture of the right to practice. Falsification and/or failure to disclose information on the renewal application may result in disciplinary action. An individual shall notify the board of:

1. change of address which includes a physical address and email address. Notify the office of the board by submitting changes in the individual's online, electronic account within 30 days if a change of physical and/or email address has occurred;

2. change of name. If a registered nurse/candidate for registration should change his/her name through marriage, divorce, religious order, or for any other reason, a request for a change of name and supporting documentation shall be submitted electronically to the board. Supporting documentation includes a copy of the marriage certificate, divorce document, or affidavit confirming change of name, and is required to execute a name change on board records.

B. Requirements of the licensee for renewal of license include:

1. completion of the online, electronic application, including statistical information;

2. payment of fee;

3. evidence of meeting the requirements regarding continuing education, in §3335 and

4. provide any/all information, documents, records, reports, evidence and/or items as requested by the board/board staff within 60 days from the date the application is submitted, or else the RN/APRN license shall be subject to immediate invalidation with change of status to inactive license and practice as a RN and/or APRN will no longer be legal.

C. An inactive or lapsed license may be reinstated by submitting a completed application, paying the required fee, and meeting all other relevant requirements, provided there is no evidence of violation of R.S. 37:911 et seq., §3331, or other administrative rules, or no allegations of acts or omissions which constitute grounds for disciplinary action as defined in R.S. 37:921 or §3405 Any person practicing as a RN or APRN during the time one's license is inactive or has lapsed is considered an illegal practitioner and is subject to the penalties provided for violation of this Part and will not be reinstated until the disciplinary action is resolved.

D. Licensees may submit an electronic application to inactivate or retire their license(s) at any time. A retired RN license is considered an inactive license. Individuals with a retired license are not authorized to practice.

1. A retired status license may be issued to any individual with an active unencumbered RN and/or APRN license who is not enrolled in an alternative to discipline program and is no longer engaged in the practice of nursing, provided said individual:

a. completes an application provided by the board prior to the expiration of the active license;

b. pays the required one-time fee as specified under §3341; and

c. has no pending investigation and/or pending formal disciplinary action for alleged violation(s) of the board's rules and /or regulations.

2. A licensee in retired status will continue to receive The Examiner and other official communications and continue to be listed in the official roster of registered nurses in Louisiana.

3. After placed in retired status, no further renewal notices will be sent.

4. If at a future date, the licensee wishes to return to practice, the requirements for reinstatement including but not limited to those specified under §3335.D 2, and/or 4507.F must be met.

5. The professional designation can be used followed by "retired".

6. After the RN license is placed in retired status, the APRN license may also be placed in retired or inactive status with no fee if requested.

7. The APRN license may be placed in retired or inactive status with no fee while the RN license remains active provided the provisions in §3335. D. 1. a and c are met.

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § XLVII-3333

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Board of Nursing, LR 7:78 (March 1981), amended by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Nursing, LR 16:1061 (December 1990), LR 23:962 (August 1997), LR 23:963 (August 1997), repromulgated LR 24:1293 (July 1998), amended LR 26:1443 (July 2000), LR 32:247 (February 2006), LR 35:1536 (August 2009), LR 37:3026 (October 2011), Amended by the Department of Health, Board of Nursing LR 461225 (9/1/2020).

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