The bill amends the Public Health Code to allow the Michigan Board to grant licenses to applicants for initial licensure as registered professional nurses who have graduated from nursing education programs located outside of the United States. The bill specifies that these applicants must meet the requirements of section 16174 and provide verification that their education is substantially equivalent to approved nursing programs in Michigan. Additionally, the board will accept verification from recognized organizations such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services and the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools to determine equivalency.

Furthermore, the bill allows for the licensure of registered professional nurses who are licensed in another state or, until January 1, 2012, in a province of Canada, provided they meet the same requirements as outlined for applicants from outside the U.S. This includes providing verification of licensure in all jurisdictions where they have been registered. Notably, if an applicant has maintained an active license in another state for at least five years without disciplinary sanctions, they are exempt from providing the educational verification required for initial licensure.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 333.17213