The Department of Public Health, with the advice and consent of the board shall prescribe examinations for applicants for licensure as registered nurses and licensed practical nurses under the provisions of this chapter, to determine their qualifications for the practice of nursing. Such examinations shall, at least annually, be administered to applicants by the Department of Public Health under the supervision of the board. Passing scores shall be established by the department with the consent of the board. The department shall decide upon the qualifications of each applicant and give notice of such decision within a reasonable time after such examination.

(1949 Rev., S. 4427; 1953, S. 2216d; P.A. 76-315, S. 1, 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 390, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 28, 136; P.A. 80-484, S. 31, 176; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58.)

History: P.A. 76-315 replaced provisions requiring examination of applicants at annual meeting or special meetings and setting forth notice requirements with statement that such examinations take place “at least annually” and required notice of decision on applications within “a reasonable time” rather than within two months of the examination; P.A. 77-614 required consent of health services commissioner for prescribed examination and transferred actual administration of tests from board to health services department, retaining board's power to decide on applicant's qualification, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-303 made technical changes; P.A. 80-484 essentially transferred all powers re examination and licensure to department, relegating board to advisory and supervisory role, substituted “licensure” for references to registration or certification and added provision re establishment of passing scores; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995.