Licensure Requirements. Each applicant who successfully meets the requirements of this section shall be entitled to licensure as a Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse, Graduate Nurse, Certified Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, whichever is applicable as follows: (a) Licensure by Examination. An applicant for licensure by examination to practice as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse shall: (1) Submit a completed written application and appropriate fees as established by the Board; (2) Be a graduate of an approved nursing education program which meets criteria similar to and not less stringent than those established by this Board and which prepares for the level of licensure being sought; (3) Pass an NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-LPN; and (4) Have committed no acts or omissions that are grounds for disciplinary action as set forth in section 2314(b) of this chapter, or if the Board has found after investigation that sufficient restitution has been made. (b) Licensure by Endorsement. The Board shall issue a license by endorsement to practice professional nursing as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse to an applicant who has been duly licensed under the laws of another jurisdiction if the Board finds that the applicant meets the qualifications required of Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses required in the Commonwealth at the time of application. An applicant for licensure by endorsement shall: (1) Submit a completed written application and appropriate fees as established by the Board; (2) Have committed no acts or omissions which are grounds for disciplinary action in another jurisdiction or, if such acts have been committed and would be grounds for disciplinary action as set forth in section 2314(b) of this chapter, the Board has found after investigation that sufficient restitution has been made; (3) Be a graduate of an approved nursing education program that meets criteria similar to and not less stringent than those established by this Board and that prepares for the level of licensure being sought; (4) Submit verification of licensure status directly from the jurisdiction of licensure by examination; (5) Meet continued competency requirements as provided in section 2310(h) of this chapter; and (6) Meet other criteria established by the Board and must pass the NCLEX examinations. (c) Initial Licensure for Certified Technician or Certified Nursing Assistant. The Board shall issue an initial license for Certified Technician or Certified Nursing Assistant provided that the applicant shall:
(1) Submit a completed written application and appropriate fees as established by the Board; (2) Provide evidence of successful completion of a Certified Technician or Certified Nursing Assistant training program as established by the Board; (3) Have committed no acts or omissions which are grounds for disciplinary action in another jurisdiction or, if such acts have been committed and would be grounds for disciplinary action as set forth in section 2314(b) of this chapter, the Board has found after investigation that sufficient restitution has been made. (4) Meet other criteria established by the Board. (d) Initial Licensure for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. An applicant for initial licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse shall: (1) Be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; (2) Submit a completed written application and appropriate fees as established by the Board; (3) Provide evidence of successful completion of a graduate degree and/or certification of training with a concentration in the advanced practice nurse category; (4) Completion of other requirements set forth in rules established by the Board; and (5) Have committed no acts or omissions which are grounds for disciplinary action in another jurisdiction or, if such acts have been committed and would be grounds for disciplinary action as set forth in section 2314(b) of this chapter, the Board has found after investigation that sufficient restitution has been made. (e) The Board may issue a license by endorsement to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse under the laws of another state in the United States, and in the opinion of the Board, the applicant meets the qualifications for licensure in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (f) Temporary License. After review of the application of any person for licensing as a Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse, Certified Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, the Board may issue a temporary license to that person, pending final action on the application. Only one temporary license, valid for not more than 90 days, may be issued pursuant to this section. The applicant at the minimum must show proof of prior passage of the NCLEX examination. (g) Interim Permit for Graduate Nurses (GN) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) from a Recognized Nursing Program for Nurses. An interim permit not to exceed one year from date of graduation will be issued to nurses who graduated from a recognized nursing or advanced practice-nursing programs provided that the applicant shall: (1) Submit a completed written application and appropriate fees as established by the Board;
(2) Be a graduate of an approved nursing education program which meets criteria similar to and not less stringent than those established by this Board and which prepares for the level of licensure being sought; and (3) Have committed no acts or omissions that are grounds for disciplinary action as set forth in section 2314(b) of this chapter, or if the Board has found after investigation that sufficient restitution has been made. (h) Renewal of Licenses. Licenses issued under this chapter shall be renewed every two years or bi-annually according to a schedule established by the Board. A renewal license shall be issued to a Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse, Certified Nurse Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who remits the required fee and satisfactorily completes any other requirements established by the Board. Failure to renew the license shall result in forfeiture of the right to practice nursing in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (i) Reinstatement of Lapsed Licenses. A licensee whose license has lapsed by failure to renew may apply for reinstatement according to the rules established by the Board. Upon satisfaction of the requirements for reinstatement, the Board shall issue a renewal of license. (j) Special License. The Board may issue a special license to an individual who is unable to practice the full scope of nursing safely, but who is able to practice safely within a modified scope of practice or with accommodations or both as specified by the Board. (k) Duties of Licensee. Each licensee shall: (1) In response to Board inquiries, provide personal, professional or demographic information requested by the Board to perform its duties in regulating and controlling nursing practice in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare. Failure to provide the requested information may result in nonrenewal of the license to practice nursing. (2) Submit to a physical or mental examination by a designated authority when directed in writing by the Board for cause. If requested by the licensee, the licensee may also designate an approved licensed medical authority for an independent medical examination. Refusal or failure of a licensee to complete such examination shall constitute an admission of any allegations relating to such condition. All objections shall be waived as to admissibility of the examining medical authority testimony or examination reports on the grounds that they constitute privileged communication. The medical testimony or examination reports shall not be used against a Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse, Certified Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant, or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in another proceeding and shall be confidential. At reasonable intervals, a Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse, Certified Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant, or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate competence to resume the practice of nursing with reasonable skill and safety to patients.
(3) Report to the Board those acts or omissions that are violations of this chapter or grounds for disciplinary actions as set forth in sections 2313 and 2314 of this chapter. Source: PL 14-62, § 2 (2310), modified. Commission Comment: The word “prove” was changed to “proof” in subsection (f) to correct a manifest error pursuant to 1 CMC § 3806(g).