HB2494 is a bill that amends the Arizona Revised Statutes to expedite the licensure process for out-of-state advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and registered nurses (RNs) seeking to practice in Arizona. The bill requires the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) to issue a license or certificate within five business days after receiving an application and associated fees, provided certain conditions are met. These conditions include holding a valid license in good standing from another state, not having any pending complaints or investigations, and having completed a federal criminal background check. The bill also allows for the waiver of application and license fees for U.S. military veterans and spouses of active-duty military members.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $100,000 and one full-time equivalent (FTE) position from the Board of Nursing Fund to the AZBN in fiscal year 2024-2025 to support the implementation of the expedited licensure process. The appropriation is exempt from lapsing provisions. The bill also includes a provision that allows a registered nurse to be appointed to the AZBN if a qualified candidate for a vacancy cannot be identified within 90 days. The bill is set to become effective on the general effective date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 32-1602, 32-1634.05, 41-1750, 92-544
House Engrossed Version: 32-1602, 32-1634.05, 41-1750, 92-544