216-40-05 R.I. Code R. § 3.3

Current through June 20, 2024

Section 216-RICR-40-05-3.3 - Licensing Requirements for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, Professional (Registered), and Practical Nurses

3.3.1Titles and Abbreviations and Criminal Records Review

A. Titles and Abbreviations. Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-34-2, it shall be unlawful for any person to practice or offer to practice nursing in the State of Rhode Island or to use any title, sign, abbreviation, card or device indicating authority to practice nursing unless such person has been duly licensed and registered in accordance with the statutory provisions of the Act and this Part, except persons exempt in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-34-31.

1. Professional (Registered) Nurse Title. Any person who holds a license to practice as a professional nurse in this state shall have the right to use the title "registered nurse" and the abbreviation "R.N."

2. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Title. Any person who holds a license or privilege to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Rhode Island shall have the right to use the title "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse" and the roles of "certified registered nurse anesthetist," "certified clinical nurse specialist" and "certified nurse practitioner", and the abbreviations "APRN," "CRNA," "CNS" and "CNP" respectively. The abbreviation for the APRN designation of a certified registered nurse anesthetist, a certified clinical nurse specialist and for a certified nurse practitioner will be APRN, plus the role title (i.e., CRNA, CNS, and CNP).

3. Practical Nurse Title. Any person who holds a license to practice nursing as a practical nurse in the State of Rhode Island shall have the right to use the title "licensed practical nurse" and the abbreviation "L.P.N."

B. No other person shall assume such titles or use such abbreviations or any other words, letters, signs, figures or devices to indicate that the person using the same is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, licensed professional nurse or licensed practical nurse in accordance with this Part.

1. Misrepresentation of Credentials. A nurse licensed by the Board shall not misrepresent his or her credentials related to the practice of nursing including, but not limited to, those indicating education, type of nurse licensure, APRN authorization, or certification related to the practice of nursing.

C. Criminal Records Review. Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-34-43, each person seeking a license to practice under the Act, or who is previously licensed and authorized to practice under the Act and is seeking employment, shall apply to the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) for a national criminal records check that shall include fingerprints submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This background check shall be processed prior to receiving a license to practice or to enter into employment. All applicable fees associated with the national criminal records check shall be paid by the applicant/licensee.

3.3.2Qualifications for Licensure

A. Professional (Registered) Nurse. An applicant seeking initial licensure to practice professional nursing in the State of Rhode Island must:

1. Be of good moral character;

2. Have completed at least an approved high school course of study or the equivalent supported by diploma or certificate thereof as determined by the rules and regulations of the State Board of Education; and

3. Have successfully completed the prescribed curriculum in a Board-approved basic professional nursing education program and holds a diploma from the program,

4. Foreign trained applicants must meet the requirements set forth in §3.3.4(C) of this Part.

B. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. An applicant seeking initial licensure to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the State of Rhode Island shall:

1. Be of good moral character;

2. Hold a current Rhode Island license as a registered nurse or privilege to practice and shall not hold an encumbered license or privilege to practice as an RN in any state or territory;

3. Graduation from an APRN graduate or post-graduate program, as evidenced by official documentation received directly from an APRN program accredited by a nursing accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or its successor organization, as acceptable by the Board.

4. Be currently certified by a national certifying body recognized by the Board in the APRN role and population focus appropriate to educational preparation.

5. Report any criminal conviction, nolo contendere plea, Alford plea or other plea arrangement in lieu of conviction;

6. Have committed no acts or omissions that are grounds for disciplinary action as set forth in the Act and this Part; and

7. Provide other evidence as required by this Part.

8. All clinical nurse specialists seeking initial licensure as an APRN in the State of Rhode Island must meet all the criteria as stated in the Act and this Part including national certification in a role and population focus recognized by the Board.

9. Status of Current Licensees. Any person holding a license to practice nursing in the State of Rhode Island as a certified nurse practitioner, psychiatric clinical nurse specialist or certified registered nurse anesthetist, as defined in the Act, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapters 5-34 and 5-34.2, that was valid as of June 17, 2013 shall be deemed to be licensed as an APRN, with his or her current privileges and shall be eligible for renewal of such license as defined under the provisions of the Act and this Part.

C. Licensed Practical Nurse. An applicant seeking initial licensure to practice practical nursing in the State of Rhode Island must:

1. Be of good moral character;

3. Have furnished satisfactory proof that he or she successfully completed the prescribed curriculum in an approved program of practical nursing and holds a diploma or certificate from the program or is a graduate of an approved school of professional nursing or was a student in good standing at an approved school of professional nursing before completing the program of studies and, at the time of withdrawal, had completed a program of study, theory and clinical practice equivalent to that required for graduation from an approved school of practical nursing;

4. Foreign trained applicants must meet the requirements set forth in §3.3.4(C)(2) of this Part.

3.3.3Application for Licensure and Fee

A. Application for licensure to practice in the State of Rhode Island as a professional nurse, or practical nurse, shall be made on forms provided by the Department, which shall be completed, notarized and submitted to the Department. An applicant shall schedule his/her own examination date. Such application shall be accompanied by the following documents:

1. Official transcripts of education credentials sent directly to the Department and the Board from the school of nursing.

2. One (1) photograph of the applicant (head and shoulder view) approximately 2 X 3 inches in size, which is mounted on the application, and

3. The application fee (non-refundable) as set forth in the Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title).

4. Documentation of compliance with §3.3.1(C) of this Part by:

a. Submitting a copy of the written notification from the BCI indicating that no disqualification information has been found; or

b. Requesting the BCI to provide the Department with a copy of the criminal background report.

B. Nurses registered in the State of Rhode Island who are seeking initial licensure to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse must submit appropriate certification credentials, as described in § 3.2 of this Part, plus an application fee (non-refundable) as set forth in the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title).

1. The fee for application for prescriptive privileges shall be as set forth in the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title).

2. Nurses not registered in Rhode Island who are seeking initial licensure to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the State of Rhode Island shall:

a. Hold a current license or privilege to practice as an RN and APRN in a state or territory;

b. Not have an encumbered license or privilege to practice in any state or territory;

c. Graduation from an APRN graduate or post-graduate program, as evidenced by official documentation received directly from an APRN program accredited by a nursing accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or its successor organization, as acceptable by the Board.;

d. Be currently certified by a national certifying body recognized by the Board in the APRN role and at least one population focus appropriate to educational preparation. Primary source of verification of certification is required.

e. Report any conviction, nolo contendere plea, Alford plea or other plea arrangement in lieu of conviction;

f. Have committed no acts or omissions, which are grounds for disciplinary action in another jurisdiction;

g. Provide other evidence as required by the Department and Board in this Part; and

h. An application fee (non-refundable) as set forth in the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title).

(1) The fee for application for prescriptive privileges shall be as set forth in the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title).

3.3.4Licensing of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, Professional and Practical Nurses

A. By Examination. Applicants, except those exempt pursuant to §3.3.4(B) of this Part, shall be required to pass an examination as determined by the Board to test the qualifications of the applicants to practice nursing as a professional or practical nurse pursuant to the requirements of the Act and this Part.

1. The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) or other recognized professional examination service may be used to test the applicant's competency, skill and knowledge to practice nursing.

2. All applications and supporting credentials as required in §3.3.3 of this Part shall be filed with the Board and the Department.

3. Re-examination. In case of failure of any applicant to satisfactorily pass an examination such applicant shall be entitled to re-examination. Applicants may take the licensing examination as often as prescribed by the National Council Licensure Examination service. The fee (non-refundable) as set forth in the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title) shall be resubmitted.

B. Without Examination by Endorsement. A license to practice nursing as a professional or practical nurse may be issued without examination to an applicant who provides evidence of being currently licensed by examination or endorsement as a professional nurse or practical nurse under the laws of another state or territory or District of Columbia, if in the opinion of the Board, the applicant meets the qualifications required of professional or practical nurses in the State of Rhode Island as set forth in this Part.

1. A completed licensure application form and fee shall be filed with the Department in accordance with §3.3.3 of this Part, and such additional supporting documentation as may be requested, and furthermore:

a. The licensing agency in each state in which the applicant holds or has held a registration or license must submit to the Board a statement confirming the applicant to be or have been in good standing; and

C. Foreign Trained Applicants

1. Professional (Registered) Nurses. Applicants from foreign nursing schools seeking initial U.S. licensure in the State of Rhode Island shall present evidence of credentials evaluation by a Board approved agency that provides evaluation of foreign credentials, including the requirements of §§3.3.2(A) and 3.3.3 of this Part and, furthermore, shall meet all of the appropriate requirements for licensure to the satisfaction of the Board and in accordance with the statutory and regulatory provisions of this Part. Applicants who have graduated from foreign nursing schools who are actively licensed in good standing in another state or jurisdiction shall be required to:

a. Have their credentials evaluated by a Board approved agency that provides evaluation of foreign credentials;

b. Have successfully completed the NCLEX;

c. Have successfully completed a Board approved English language proficiency examination; and

d. Submit the required application and fees in accordance with §3.3.3 of this Part.

2. Practical Nurses. Applicants from foreign schools of practical nursing must present to the Board the following documented evidence:

a. High school education credentials equivalent to those of the State of Rhode Island;

b. Official transcript from a government approved school of practical nursing that offered a general basic curriculum inclusive of the physical and biological sciences, social sciences and nursing, including concepts in medical, surgical, obstetrical, pediatric and psychiatric nursing;

c. Credentials evaluation of the educational program by a Board approved agency that provides evaluation of foreign credentials;

d. Successful completion of a Board approved English language proficiency examination;

e. Successful completion of the NCLEX; and

f. The applicant must furthermore submit the requirements of §3.3.3 of this Part and must meet to the satisfaction of the Board, appropriate statutory and regulatory licensure requirements of this Part.

3. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). An internationally educated applicant for initial licensure as an APRN in the State of Rhode Island shall:

a. Graduate from a graduate or post-graduate level APRN program equivalent to an APRN educational program in the U.S. accepted by the Board;

b. Submit documentation through an official transcript directly from the nursing education program and verified through a Board-approved qualified credentials evaluation process for the license being sought; and

c. Meet all other licensure criteria required of applicants educated in the U.S.

D. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. A license to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse shall be issued if the applicant meets the qualifications for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

E. The Board shall act on each application within ninety (90) days of its submission.

216 R.I. Code R. § 216-RICR-40-05-3.3