This act modifies the definition of an advanced practice registered nurse to mean a person who is licensed to engage in the practice of advanced practice nursing as a certified clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse midwife, certified nurse practitioner, or certified registered nurse anesthetist.

The practice of advanced practice nursing shall mean the performance for compensation of activities and services consistent with the required education, training, certification, demonstrated competencies, and experiences of an advanced practice registered nurse.

Under this act, any applicant for licensure to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is required to submit a written application and fee established by the State Board of Nursing. Such application shall contain certain elements set forth in the act, and such fee shall be uniform for all applicants.

An applicant is required to hold a current registered professional nurse license or privilege to practice, and shall not be currently subject to discipline or any restrictions, and shall not hold an encumbered license or privilege to practice as a registered professional nurse or APRN in any state or territory. Such applicant must also have completed an accredited graduate-level APRN program and achieved at least one certification as a clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse anesthetist, with at least one population focus prescribed by rule of the Board. Such applicant shall also be currently certified by a national certifying body recognized by the Board, and shall have a population focus on his or her certification, corresponding with his or her educational advanced practice registered nurse program.

Any person holding a document of recognition to practice nursing as an APRN that is current on August 28, 2020, shall be deemed to be licensed as an APRN under this act and shall be eligible for renewal of such license.

Upon the Board's refusal to issue an APRN license, the Board shall advise the applicant of his or her right to have a hearing before the Administrative Hearing Commission.

The Board shall issue a license to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse, without examination, to an applicant who has duly become licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse pursuant to the laws of another state, territory or foreign country, provided the applicant meets the required APRN qualifications.

Additionally, the Board shall issue a temporary permit to an applicant for a license as an APRN who has made a prima facie showing that the applicant meets all of the requirements for such a license. The temporary permit shall be effective only until the Board notifies an applicant that his or her application for a license has been granted or denied.

The renewal of APRN licenses and registered nurse licenses shall occur at the same time. Failure to renew and maintain the registered professional nurse license, or privilege to practice, or to provide the required fee and evidence of active certification or maintenance of certification shall result in an expiration of the APRN license.

Under current law, any person who holds a license to practice advanced practice nursing in the state may use the title "advanced practice registered nurse". Under this act, such person may use the designations of "certified registered nurse anesthetist", "certified nurse midwife", "certified clinical nurse specialist", and "certified nurse practitioner".

This act is substantially similar to SB 400 (2019), and is similar to SB 965 (2020), HB 1441 (2020), HB 2583 (2020), HB 301 (2019), and HB 1502 (2018).

JOSIE BUTLER