School nurses; level three licensure

A. A level three license is a nine-year license granted to a school nurse who meets the qualifications for that level and who annually demonstrates nursing leadership competencies. If a level three school nurse does not demonstrate essential nursing leadership competency in a given school year, the school district shall provide the school nurse with additional professional development and mentorship during the following school year. If by the end of that school year the school nurse fails to demonstrate essential nursing leadership competency, a school district may choose not to contract with the school nurse. B. The department shall grant a level three license to an applicant who: (1) has been a level two school nurse for at least three years; (2) holds a post-baccalaureate degree or is certified by the national board for certification of school nurses; (3) demonstrates nursing leadership competence as required by the department and verified by the local superintendent through a highly objective uniform statewide standard of evaluation; and (4) meets other qualifications for the license. C. The minimum salary for a level three school nurse is the same as that for a level three-A teacher for a standard nine and one-half month contract. History: Laws 2025, ch. 150, § 5.