Chapter 420 Oregon Laws 1999

Session Law

 

AN ACT

 

SB 322

 

Relating to nursing; amending ORS 678.050, 678.101 and 678.410.

 

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

 

      SECTION 1. ORS 678.050 is amended to read:

      678.050. (1) Examinations for the licensing of applicants under ORS 678.010 to 678.445 shall be held at least once a year, and at such times and places as the Oregon State Board of Nursing may determine. Notice of the examination dates shall be given by mail to all accredited nursing education programs in Oregon. The board shall issue a wallet sized license as evidence of current licensure. The applicant shall be required to pass an examination in such subjects relating to nursing at the practical or registered level as the board may determine necessary to protect the public health and welfare.

      (2) All duly qualified applicants who pass the examination shall be issued the license provided for in ORS 678.010 to 678.445 according to the nature of the license for which application is made and examination taken and passed.

      (3)(a) The board may issue a license by indorsement to an applicant qualified as provided in ORS 678.040 who has passed the examination used by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. The board may also require evidence of competency to practice nursing at the level for which application is made.

      (b) For the purposes of the licensing procedure, the board shall not accept monetary assistance from anyone except the nurse applying for licensure by indorsement.

      (c) The board shall process in order applications for licensure by indorsement of qualified applicants and immediately issue licenses or license memoranda when the applications are received and review of supportive documentation is completed. However, this paragraph does not prohibit the board from immediately issuing a license out of order to applicants appearing in person.

      (d) The provisions of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection do not prohibit the board from processing requests to employ nurses to meet temporary staffing shortages, as described in ORS 678.031 or 678.034, in facilities in this state not involved in labor disputes.

      (4) Subject to such terms and conditions as the board may impose, the board may issue a limited license to practice registered or practical nursing:

      (a) To a graduate of an accredited nursing education program at the appropriate level upon the applicant's filing for the first examination to be given following the applicant's graduation. The license issued under this paragraph expires when the results of the examinations are received by the applicant. The board may extend the limited license if the applicant shows to the satisfaction of the board that an emergency situation has prevented the applicant from taking or completing the first examination administered following graduation. The extension expires when the results of the next examination are received by the applicant or on the filing date of the next examination if the applicant has not reapplied.

      (b) To an applicant whose license has become void by reason of nonpayment of fees at either level and who otherwise meets the requirements of the board. The board may, in issuing a limited license, require the applicant to demonstrate ability to give safe nursing care by undergoing a supervised experience in nursing practice as shall be designated by the board, or by satisfactorily completing a continuing education program as approved by the board. The license issued under this paragraph expires on the date set in the license by the board. Upon satisfactorily completing the board's requirements, and payment of the renewal fee and delinquency fee, the board shall issue to the applicant a license to practice nursing.

      (c) To an applicant who has not practiced nursing in any state for a period of five years, but has maintained a current license by the payment of fees. Such applicant shall not practice nursing in Oregon unless an application is made to the board for a limited license and it is issued to the applicant. The board, in issuing such limited license, may require the applicant to demonstrate ability to give safe nursing care by undergoing a supervised experience in nursing practice as shall be designated by the board, or by satisfactorily completing a continuing education program approved or designated by the board. No person shall be issued a license if, in the judgment of the board, the person's conduct has been such, during absence from practice, that the applicant would be denied a license if applying for an initial license to practice nursing in this state.

      (d) To a licensee who has been placed on probation or has been otherwise subjected to disciplinary action by the board.

      (e) To any of the following persons if the person is affiliated with a planned program of study in Oregon consistent with the standards and requirements established by the board:

      (A) A foreign nurse;

      (B) A foreign student nurse; or

      (C) A nurse licensed in another jurisdiction.

      SECTION 2. ORS 678.101 is amended to read:

      678.101. Every person licensed to practice nursing shall apply for renewal of the license other than a limited license in every second year before 12:01 a.m. on the anniversary of the birthdate of the person in the odd-numbered year for persons whose birth occurred in an odd-numbered year and in the even-numbered year for persons whose birth occurred in an even-numbered year. Persons whose birthdate anniversary falls on February 29 shall be treated as if the anniversary were March 1. Each application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable renewal fee payable to the Oregon State Board of Nursing. The license of any person not submitting, personally or by appropriately postmarked letter, the application and renewal fee before 12:01 a.m. on the proper date of the appropriate year is expired and the person shall be considered delinquent and shall be subject to the delinquent fee specified in ORS 678.410. [A license not renewed within 30 days after its expiration date is void.] A registered nurse who has been issued a certificate as a nurse practitioner shall apply, personally or by appropriately postmarked letter, for renewal of the certificate and for renewal of the prescriptive privileges in every second year before 12:01 a.m. on the anniversary of the birthdate, as determined for the person's license to practice nursing.

      SECTION 3. ORS 678.410 is amended to read:

      678.410. (1) The Oregon State Board of Nursing may impose fees for the following:

      (a) License renewal.

      (b) Examination.

      (c) License by indorsement.

      (d) Limited license.

      (e) Examination proctor service.

      (f) Duplicate license.

      (g) Extension of limited license.

      (h) Nurse practitioner certificate.

      (i) Reexamination for licensure.

      (j) Delinquent fee.

      (k) Renewal fee nurse practitioner.

      (L) Verification of a license of a nurse applying for license by indorsement in another state.

      (m) Certified nurse practitioner's initial application and registration for writing prescriptions.

      (n) Renewal of certified nurse practitioner's application for writing prescriptions.

      (o) Approval of training program for nursing assistants.

      (p) Issuance, renewal and delinquency of a nursing assistant certificate.

      (q) Voluntary monitoring program for chemical dependency or an emotional or physical problem.

      (2) Fees are nonrefundable.

      (3) Subject to prior approval of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services and a report to the Emergency Board prior to adopting the fees and charges, the fees and charges established under this section shall not exceed the cost of administering the regulatory program of the board pertaining to the purpose for which the fee or charge is established, as authorized by the Legislative Assembly within the board's budget, as the budget may be modified by the Emergency Board. If federal or other funds are available to offset costs of administering the program, fees shall be established based on net costs to the state but not to exceed [$20] $40 per biennium for the certification fee under subsection (1)(p) of this section.

 

Approved by the Governor June 30, 1999

 

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 30, 1999

 

Effective date October 23, 1999

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