The proposed bill would amend current statutes by introducing a new section that mandates the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) to issue provisional licenses or certificates to out-of-state advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), registered nurses (RN), or licensed practical nurses (LPN) within five business days of receiving a complete application and associated fees, provided certain conditions are met. These conditions include holding a valid license in good standing from another U.S. state, not having any pending complaints or investigations, and submitting fingerprints for a criminal background check. Additionally, applicants must attest to the accuracy of their application information through a sworn declaration.

The bill also specifies that if an applicant has any disciplinary actions from other states, the five-day processing time does not apply, and the AZBN may further investigate their eligibility. It requires the AZBN to communicate the receipt of applications and either approve or deny provisional licensure within the specified timeframe. Furthermore, the bill allows for the conversion of provisional licenses to regular licenses after six months, waives fees for veterans and their spouses, and defines key terms such as "licensing entity" and "resident" to clarify eligibility criteria.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 32-1635.02
House Engrossed Version: 32-1635.02
Senate Engrossed Version: 32-1635.02
Chaptered Version: 32-1635.02