This bill proposes significant updates to the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding the issuance of provisional nursing licenses. Under the new provisions, the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) would be required 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 the necessary fees, provided certain conditions are met. These conditions include holding a valid license in good standing from another U.S. state, submitting fingerprints for a criminal background check, and being a resident of Arizona or having accepted a job offer in the state. The bill also mandates that applicants include a sworn declaration attesting to the accuracy of their application information.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific scenarios where the five-day processing time may be extended, such as if the applicant has pending complaints or has faced disciplinary actions in other states. It requires the AZBN to communicate the receipt of applications and either approve or deny provisional licenses within the stipulated timeframe. The provisional licenses would be valid only in Arizona and could be converted to regular licenses after six months, with provisions for waiving fees for military veterans and their spouses. The bill also clarifies definitions related to licensing entities and residency requirements, ensuring that the regulatory framework is updated to facilitate the licensure process for qualified out-of-state nurses.

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