33-21-157. Nurses volunteer license.

(a) As used in this section, "low income uninsured person" and "nonprofit health care facility" have the same meanings as in W.S. 33-15-131(a).

(b) For purposes of this section, a person shall be considered retired from the practice of practical, professional or advanced practice registered nursing if the person's license has expired.

(c) The state board of nursing may issue, with or without examination, a volunteer's license to a person who is retired from practice so that the person may provide nursing services to low income uninsured persons at nonprofit health care facilities. The board shall deny issuance of a volunteer's license to a person who is not qualified under this section to hold a volunteer's license.

(d) An application for a volunteer's license shall include all of the following:

(i) A copy of the applicant's nursing degree;

(ii) A copy of the applicant's most recent license authorizing the practice of nursing issued by a jurisdiction in the United States that licenses persons to practice nursing;

(iii) Evidence of one (1) of the following, as applicable:

(A) The applicant has maintained for at least ten (10) years immediately prior to retirement full licensure in good standing in any jurisdiction in the United States that licenses persons to practice nursing; or

(B) The applicant has practiced for at least ten (10) years immediately prior to retirement in good standing as a nurse in one (1) or more of the branches of the United States armed services; and

(iv) A notarized statement from the applicant, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant:

(A) Will not accept any form of remuneration for any nursing services rendered while in possession of a volunteer's license;

(B) Will devote his nursing practice exclusively and totally to providing nursing services to low income uninsured persons at a nonprofit health care facility in this state; and

(C) Will provide any other documentation that the board reasonably may require.

(e) The holder of a volunteer's license may provide nursing services only on the premises of a nonprofit health care facility in this state and only to low income uninsured persons. The holder shall not accept any form of remuneration for providing nursing services while in possession of the license. The board may revoke a volunteer's license on receiving proof satisfactory to the board that the holder has engaged in practice in this state outside the scope of the license.

(f) A volunteer's license shall be valid for a period of one (1) year, unless earlier revoked under subsection (e) of this section or pursuant to title 33, chapter 21 of the Wyoming statutes. A volunteer's license may be renewed upon the application of the holder. The board shall maintain a register of all persons who hold volunteer's licenses. The board shall not charge a fee for issuing or renewing a license pursuant to this section.

(g) To be eligible for renewal of a volunteer's license, the holder of the license shall certify to the board completion of any continuing education required under this act as if the holder of the license were in active practice. The board shall not renew a license if the holder has not complied with the continuing education requirements. The nonprofit health care facility in which the holder provides nursing services may pay for or reimburse the holder for any costs incurred in obtaining the required continuing education.

(h) The board shall issue to each person who qualifies under this section a volunteer's license that states the license holder is authorized to provide nursing services pursuant to the laws of this state.

(j) Except as provided in this section, any person holding a volunteer's license issued by the board under this section shall be subject to the requirements of this act and the jurisdiction of the board as if he were licensed to practice nursing under this act.

(k) The board shall adopt rules to administer and enforce this section.