La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § XLVII-4507

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

Section XLVII-4507 - Licensure as Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

A. Initial Licensure

1. The applicant shall meet the following requirements:

a. holds a current, unencumbered, unrestricted and valid registered nurse license in Louisiana and there are no grounds for disciplinary proceedings, as stated in R.S. 37:921;

b. completion of a minimum of a graduate degree with a concentration in the respective advanced practice nursing role and population focus or completion of a post master's concentration in the respective advanced practice nursing role and population focus from a program accredited by a nursing or nursing related accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. secretary of education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and otherwise approved by the board. Exception to the graduate degree may be granted to those applicants who provide documentation as requested by the board that, prior to December 31, 1995, the applicant completed or was continuously enrolled in a formalized post-basic education program preparing for the advanced practice nursing role and population focus as approved by the board prior to December 31, 1995 as follows:

i. a program of studies offered through an institution of higher education which qualifies the graduate to take a certification examination in the advanced practice role and population foci; or

ii. a program of studies accepted by a nationally recognized certifying body which is recognized by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.

c. any deviation from Clause 1.b shall be submitted to the board for review and approval;

d. submission of a completed application on a form furnished by the board;

e. submission of evidence of current certification in the respective advanced practice nursing role and population focus by a nationally recognized certifying body approved by the board;

f. submission of a non-refundable fee as specified in LAC 46:XLVII.3341;

g. submission to criminal history record information as specified in LAC 46:XLVII.3330;

h. after initial licensure, applicants seeking licensure for advanced practice in an additional specialty and/or functional role shall meet the requirements stated in LAC 46:XLVII.4507 A.1.a.-e;

i. if there is a gap equal to or greater than two years between the completion of the graduate or post graduate program as delineated in LAC 46:XLVII.4507.A.1.b and the application for initial licensure, the applicant must provide additional verification of competency as requested by the board and may be required to appear before the board (or its committee) for further consideration before licensure or a temporary permit may be granted.

2. The board will verify all licensure and certification requirements via primary source verification as requested including:

a. licensure;

b. education;

c. certification; and

d. information relevant to the practice of the APRN.

3. An APRN license shall be issued with an expiration date that coincides with the applicant's RN license.

B. Temporary Permit-Initial Applicants

1. An APRN applicant that has a gap equal to or greater than two years between the completion of the graduate or post graduate program as delineated in LAC 46:XLVII.4507.A.1.b and the application for initial licensure, may be granted a temporary permit for a maximum of 120 days which allows the applicant to practice under the guidance of an APRN or physician who is engaged in active clinical practice and holds an active, unencumbered, unrestricted licensed within the role and population or practice specialty of the applicant. Evidence must be submitted to the board delineating that the applicant:

a. holds an active, unencumbered, unrestricted and valid registered nurse license in Louisiana;

b. is in the process of applying for initial licensure under LAC 46:XLVII.4507.A;

c. holds current certification in the respective advanced practice nursing role and population focus by a nationally recognized certifying body approved by the board;

d. meets requirements of LAC 46:XLVII.4507.A.1.h; and

e. there are no grounds for disciplinary proceedings as stated in R.S. 37:921.

2. A nurse practicing under the temporary permit shall use the title advanced practice registered nurse applicant or APRN applicant.

3. The APRN temporary permit may be extended for justifiable causes.

4. If allegations of acts or omissions which constitute grounds for disciplinary action as defined in R.S. 37:911 et seq., or any rule promulgated by the board is received during the permit interval, the temporary permit issued pursuant to this Section above shall be recalled and licensure denied or delayed in accordance with LAC 46:XLVII.3331 or until such time as the person completes the disciplinary process.

C. Licensure by Endorsement. The board may issue a license by endorsement if the applicant has practiced as an APRN under the laws of another state and if, in the opinion of the board, the applicant meets the requirements for licensure as an APRN in this jurisdiction.

1. If the applicant is applying from another jurisdiction that licenses the role and population focus of the APRN for which the applicant is seeking licensure, the applicant shall submit:

a. a completed application on a form furnished by the board;

b. the required nonrefundable fee as set forth in LAC 46:XLVII.3341;

c. verification of current RN licensure in this jurisdiction or documentation that the applicant has applied for licensure as a RN and meets the requirements of this jurisdiction, and there are no grounds for disciplinary proceeding as stated in R.S. 37:921;

d. verification of licensure status directly from the jurisdiction of original licensure in the advanced practice nursing role and population focus;

e. verification of current unencumbered, unrestricted license in the registered nurse and advanced practice nursing role and population focus directly from the jurisdiction of current or most recent employment as an APRN;

f. verification of educational requirements as stated in LAC 46:XLVII.4507.A.1.b;

g. verification of current unconditional national certification in the respective role and population focus as recognized by the board; and

h. submission to criminal history record information as specified in LAC46:XLVII.3330.

2. If the applicant is applying from a jurisdiction that does not license the APRN role and/or population focus for which the applicant is seeking licensure, the applicant shall submit in addition to Subparagraphs C.1.a, b, c, f, g, and h as stated above:

a. documentation of the applicant's qualifications for advanced practice directly from the board in the state where the applicant first practiced in the APRN role and/or population focus; and

b. documentation of the applicant's qualifications for advanced practice directly from the board in the state where the applicant was last employed in the APRN role and/or population focus.

3. If the applicant is applying from a jurisdiction that does not verify advanced practice or does not meet the endorsement requirements, the applicant shall qualify by meeting the requirements for initial APRN licensure, LAC 46:XLVII.4507.A and B.

4. if the applicant has not been engaged in clinical practice as an APRN for two years or more, the applicant must provide additional verification of competency as requested by the board and may be required to appear before the board (or its committee) for further consideration before licensure or a temporary permit may be granted.

D. Temporary Permit: Endorsement Applicants

1. A nurse seeking APRN licensure by endorsement, and has been issued a RN temporary permit, may be issued a temporary permit to practice as an APRN for a maximum of 120 days if the applicant submits:

a. a completed APRN application on a form furnished by the board;

b. the required nonrefundable fee as set forth in LAC 46:XLVII.3341;

c. evidence of meeting the educational and certification requirements specified in LAC 46:XLVII.4507. A.1.b and e; or

2. The APRN temporary permit may be extended for justifiable causes.

3. If allegations of acts or omissions which constitute grounds for disciplinary action as defined in R.S. 37:911 et seq., or any rule promulgated by the board is received during the permit interval, the temporary permit issued pursuant to this Section above shall be recalled and licensure denied or delayed in accordance with LAC 46:XLVII.3331 or until such time as the person completes the disciplinary process.

E. Renewal of Licenses by Certification or Commensurate Requirements

1. The date for renewal of licensure to practice as an APRN shall coincide with renewal of the applicant's RN license. Renewal of the APRN license is contingent upon renewal of the RN license and verification that there are no grounds for disciplinary proceedings as stated in R.S. 37:921. RN and APRN license renewal must be submitted to the board electronically through the board website annually prior to current licensure expiration. Renewal includes but is not limited to the following components:

a. completion of renewal applications for both RN and APRN licensure available at the board website during annual renewal season;

b. evidence of current certification/recertification in each APRN role and population focus being renewed by a national certifying body approved by the board;

c. payment of the annual licensure renewal fee as specified in LAC 46:XLVII.3341.

2. APRNs initially licensed in accordance with R.S. 37:912(B)(3)(4) (grandfathered) and who are not advanced practice certified, or R.S. 37:920(A)(2) whose role and population focus does not provide for certification/re-certification (commensurate requirements) shall submit the following documentation for renewal, in addition to meeting the requirements specified above in §4507. E.1 a-c:

a. a minimum of 300 hours of practice annually in advanced practice registered nursing, as defined in R.S. 37:913.a.; and

b. a minimum of 2 college credit hours per year of relevance to the advanced practice role; or

c. a minimum of 30 continuing education (C.E.) contact hours approved by the board each year. CMEs (Continuing Medical Education Units) may be approved by the board to meet this requirement;

d. the above Subparagraphs b or c will meet the C.E. requirements for the registered nurse and the advanced practice registered nurse licensure renewal.

3. An advanced practice registered nurse shall maintain current national certification and/or recertification as required in all subsections regarding licensure throughout the entire licensure period. Failure of any APRN to submit evidence of and maintain current active certification or recertification shall result in the APRN license becoming inactive and invalid and the APRN shall not practice or use the title of advanced practice registered nurse until the requirements for reinstatement of the APRN license are met.

4. Any advanced practice registered nurse who practices during the time the APRN license is inactive and invalid will be subject to disciplinary action and will not be reinstated until such time as the person completes the disciplinary process.

F. Reinstatement of an APRN License

1. An APRN who has failed to renew his/her license, or has had an inactive licensure status, may apply for reinstatement by submitting to the board:

a. evidence of current RN licensure;

b. completed application on a form furnished by the board;

c. evidence of current certification/recertification by a national certifying body accepted by the board; or

d. APRNs initially licensed in accordance with R.S. 37:912(B)(3)(4) or 920(A)(2) whose role and population focus does not provide for certification/recertification shall submit the following documentation for each year of inactive or lapsed status:

i. a minimum of 300 hours of practice as a fully licensed or permitted advanced practice registered nurse for each year of inactive or lapsed status up to a maximum of 800 hours; and

ii. a minimum of two college credit hours per year of relevance to the advanced practice role; or

iii. a minimum of 30 continuing education (C.E.) contact hours approved by the board each year. CMEs (Continuing Medical Education Units) may be approved by the board to meet this requirement; and

e. the required fee as specified in LAC 46:XLVII.3341.

2. Reinstatement of an APRN license for an applicant seeking to meet §4507.F.1.c or d, in addition to meeting the above requirements in Subparagraphs F.1.c, and e, the applicant shall:

a. apply for a six month temporary permit to practice under the guidance of a clinical preceptor approved by the board which may be extended to a maximum of two years; and

b. practice under the temporary permit and current practice standards set forth by the respective advanced practice nursing role and population focus; and

c. successfully complete the number of clinical practice hours required by the national certifying body approved by the board, if seeking certification/recertification, under the guidance of a preceptor approved by the board; and

d. submit evidence of current certification by a national certifying body approved by the board; or

e. if seeking commensurate requirements the applicant must practice under the guidance of a clinical preceptor approved by the board for a minimum of 800 hours of clinical practice in the area of clinical specialization when certification is not available; and

f. submit evidence of compliance with §4507. E.2.b or c for each year of inactive or lapsed status; and

g. submit a final evaluation by the approved preceptor verifying successful completion of six months of full time practice or the equivalent hours in the area of specialization (minimum of 800 hours).

4. if the applicant has not been in clinical practice as an APRN for two years or more, the applicant must provide additional verification of competency as requested by the board and may be required to appear before the board (or its committee) for further consideration before licensure or a temporary permit may be granted.

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § XLVII-4507

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Nursing, LR 22:281 (April 1996), amended LR 27:724 (May 2001), LR 29:580 (April 2003), LR 31:1340 (June 2005), LR 31:2015 (August 2005), LR 32:247 (February 2006), LR 37:3027 (October 2011), LR 40:61 (January 2014), Amended LR 42406 (3/1/2016), Amended by, LR 451201 (9/1/2019).

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