Present law provides the following:
(1) The board of medical examiners is authorized to accept certificates of licensure from other states as long as the applicant's certificates and qualifications meet or exceed the requirements set forth in this state's laws and rules;
(2) The board of osteopathic examination is authorized to dispense with an examination in the case of an osteopathic physician duly licensed to practice osteopathic medicine in any other state or territory of the United States or in the District of Columbia, if the applicant has met the same or equivalent education standards required by this state's laws, and presents a certificate of examination and registration by the legally constituted board of such other state or district or a certificate issued by the national board of examiners for osteopathic physicians and surgeons;
(3) The board of nursing may issue a license to practice professional nursing to a professional or registered nurse who has been duly licensed in another state or territory if the individual meets the professional nurse qualifications that, at the time of the applicant's graduation, were in effect in this state;
(4) The board of nursing may issue a license to a licensed practical nurse who has been duly licensed in another state or territory if the individual meets the practical nurse qualifications that, at the time of the applicant's graduation, were in effect in this state; and
(5) An individual licensed, registered, or certified as a physician assistant in another jurisdiction may be licensed as a physician assistant by the board if the individual meets the requirements and standards in this state's laws.
This bill requires that when each board from the respective medical professions mentioned in items (1)-(5) receives a completed application for licensure from an applicant who is licensed in another state or territory of the United States or in the District of Columbia, then the board must, within 45 days from the date of receipt of the completed application, render a decision on the application, and either issue the license or inform the applicant of the board's decision to deny licensure and the reasons for the denial.
ON MARCH 16, 2023, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENTS #1 AND #2 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 296, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill to provide that when the board of medical examiners, board of osteopathic examination, board of nursing, or board of physician assistants receives an application that satisfies all statutory and board rule requirements (“completed application”) for licensure from an applicant who is licensed in another state or territory of the United States or in the District of Columbia, then the respective board must, within 45 days from the date of receipt of the completed application:
(1) Render a decision on the application; and
(2) Inform the applicant of the need to appear before the board.
AMENDMENT #2 requires the board of alcohol and drug abuse counselors to do the following within 60 days from the date the board receives a completed application for initial licensure or a completed application for licensure from an applicant who is licensed in another state or territory of the United States or in the District of Columbia:
(1) Render a decision on the application; or
(2) Inform the applicant of the need to appear before the board.
ON APRIL 21, 2023, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 296 FOR HOUSE BILL 779, ADOPTED AMENDMENT 1, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 296, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill to provide that, when the board of medical examiners, the board of osteopathic examination, board of nursing, board of physician assistants, or board of alcohol and drug abuse counselors receives a completed application for licensure from an applicant who is licensed in another state or territory of the United States or in the District of Columbia, then the board must, within 45 days from the date the board receives the completed application, render a decision on the application or inform the applicant of the need to appear before the board.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 63-6-211(a), 63-6-211, 63-9-105(b), 63-9-105, 63-7-105(b), 63-7-105, 63-7-110(b), 63-7-110, 63-19-105(b), 63-19-105
Amended with SA0045, SA0152 -- 03/16/2023: 63-6-211(a), 63-6-211, 63-9-105(b), 63-9-105, 63-7-105(b), 63-7-105, 63-7-110(b), 63-7-110, 63-19-105(b), 63-19-105, 68-24-602
Amended with SA0045, SA0152, HA0250 -- 04/21/2023: 63-6-211(a), 63-6-211, 63-9-105(b), 63-9-105, 63-7-105(b), 63-7-105, 63-7-110(b), 63-7-110, 63-19-105(b), 63-19-105, 68-24-602