65-1115. Licensure of professional nurses; qualifications of applicants; examination; refresher course; renewal license; title and abbreviation; temporary permit; exempt license. (a) Qualifications of applicants. An applicant for a license to practice as a registered professional nurse shall:

(1) Have graduated from an approved school of professional nursing in the United States or its territories or from a school of professional nursing in a foreign country which is approved by the board as defined in rules and regulations;

(2) have obtained other qualifications not in conflict with this act as the board may prescribe by rule and regulation; and

(3) file with the board written application for a license.

(b) Applicant deficient in qualifications. If the board finds in evaluating any applicant that such applicant is deficient in qualification or in the quality of such applicant's educational experience, the board may require such applicant to fulfill such remedial or other requirements as the board may prescribe.

(c) License. (1) The board shall issue a license to an applicant to practice as a registered professional nurse who has:

(A) Met the qualifications set forth in subsections (a) and (b);

(B) passed a written examination as prescribed by the board; and

(C) no disqualifying factors under K.S.A. 65-1120, and amendments thereto.

(2) The board may issue a license to practice nursing as a registered professional nurse to an applicant who has been duly licensed as a registered professional nurse by examination under the laws of another state or territory if, in the opinion of the board, the applicant meets the qualifications required of a registered professional in this state. Verification of the applicant's licensure status shall be required from the original state of licensure.

(3) Refresher course. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b), an applicant for a license to practice as a registered professional nurse who has not been licensed to practice professional nursing for five years preceding application shall be required to successfully complete a refresher course as defined by the board.

(4) Renewal license. A licensed professional nurse licensed under this act shall be eligible for renewal licenses upon compliance with K.S.A. 65-1117, and amendments thereto.

(5) Licensure examination within 24 months of graduation. (A) Persons who do not take the licensure examination within 24 months after graduation shall petition the board for permission prior to taking the licensure examination. The board may require the applicant to submit and complete a plan of study prior to taking the licensure examination.

(B) Persons who are unsuccessful in passing the licensure examination within 24 months after graduation shall petition the board for permission prior to subsequent attempts. The board may require the applicant to submit and complete a plan of study prior to taking the licensure examination a subsequent time. The study plan shall contain subjects related to deficiencies identified on the failed examination profiles.

(6) An application for initial licensure or endorsement will be held awaiting completion of meeting qualifications for a time period specified in rules and regulations.

(d) Title and abbreviation. Any person who holds a license to practice as a registered professional nurse in this state shall have the right to use the title, "registered nurse," and the abbreviation, "R.N." No other person shall assume the title or use the abbreviation or any other words, letters, signs or figures to indicate that the person is a registered professional nurse.

(e) Temporary permit. The board may issue a temporary permit to practice nursing as a registered professional nurse for a period not to exceed 120 days. A temporary permit for 120 days may be issued to an applicant for licensure as a registered professional nurse who is a graduate of a professional school of nursing in a foreign country after verification of licensure in that foreign country and approval of educational credentials.

(f) Exempt license. The board may issue an exempt license to any licensee as defined in rules and regulations who makes written application for such license on a form provided by the board, who remits a fee as established pursuant to K.S.A. 65-1118, and amendments thereto and who is not regularly engaged in the practice of professional nursing in Kansas but volunteers professional nursing service or is a charitable health care provider as defined by K.S.A. 75-6102, and amendments thereto. Each exempt licensee shall be subject to all provisions of the nurse practice act, except as otherwise provided in this subsection (f). Each exempt license may be renewed biennially subject to the provisions of this section. The holder of the exempt license shall not be required to submit evidence of satisfactory completion of a program of continuing nursing education for renewal. To convert an exempt license to an active license, the exempt licensee shall meet all the requirements of subsection (c) or K.S.A. 65-1117, and amendments thereto. The board shall have authority to write rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.

History: L. 1949, ch. 331, § 4; L. 1963, ch. 314, § 2; L. 1968, ch. 231, § 1; L. 1972, ch. 231, § 9; L. 1975, ch. 316, § 3; L. 1982, ch. 261, § 1; L. 1983, ch. 207, § 1; L. 1986, ch. 233, § 1; L. 1990, ch. 221, § 1; L. 1992, ch. 151, § 1; L. 1993, ch. 194, § 9; L. 1994, ch. 149, § 1; L. 1997, ch. 158, § 1; L. 1999, ch. 84, § 1; L. 2001, ch. 161, § 1; L. 2009, ch. 81, § 1; July 1.