Register of nurses — Records — Issuance of licenses

The department shall license and renew licenses upon the recommendation of the board of nurse registration and nursing education and shall maintain a roster of all applicants for licensure and all nurses licensed under this chapter, which shall be open at all reasonable times to public inspection; and shall be custodian of all records pertaining to the roster and licensing of all nurses; and shall have the custody of the official seal. The department shall issue all licenses to practice nursing only upon recommendation of the board of nurse registration and nursing education.