Signed by Governor Mike DeWine

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes Ohio to join the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Highlights:

• Establishes the states’ responsibility to protect the public’s health and safety (Article 1).

• Authorizes a multistate license, issued by a home state, to practice as a registered nurse to a resident which can be recognized by each party state (Article 3A).

• Requires states to implement procedures for considering criminal records of applicants for licensure (Article 3B).

• Requires each party state to comply with the following for an applicant (Article 3C):

• Meet the home state’s qualifications for licensure or renewal of licensure;

• Has graduated from a licensing board-approved RN or LPN/VN education program;

• Has successfully passed an NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination or recognized predecessor;

• Holds or is eligible for an unencumbered license;

• Has submitted fingerprints for the purpose of obtaining criminal records;

• Has not been convicted or found guilty of a state or federal crime;

• Is not currently enrolled in an alternative program; and

• Has a valid U.S. Social Security number.

• Authorizes a nurse to hold a multistate license, issued by the home state, in only one party state at a time (Article 4B).

• Authorizes a licensing board to have the power for the following (Article 5A):

• Take action against a nurse’s multistate licensure privilege;

• Issue cease and desist orders or impose an encumbrance on a nurse’s authority to practice within that state;

• Complete any pending investigations of a nurse who changes primary state of residence during the course of the investigations; and

• Obtain and submit fingerprints to the FBI for criminal background checks;

• Establishes a joint public entity known as the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators (Article 7).

• Requires the Commission to meet at least once during each calendar year (Article 7).

• Requires the Commission to exercise rulemaking powers and make the rules binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment (Article 8).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes Ohio to join the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Highlights:

• Establishes the states’ responsibility to protect the public’s health and safety (Article 1).

• Authorizes a multistate license, issued by a home state, to practice as a registered nurse to a resident which can be recognized by each party state (Article 3A).

• Requires states to implement procedures for considering criminal records of applicants for licensure (Article 3B).

• Requires each party state to comply with the following for an applicant (Article 3C):

• Meet the home state’s qualifications for licensure or renewal of licensure;

• Has graduated from a licensing board-approved RN or LPN/VN education program;

• Has successfully passed an NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination or recognized predecessor;

• Holds or is eligible for an unencumbered license;

• Has submitted fingerprints for the purpose of obtaining criminal records;

• Has not been convicted or found guilty of a state or federal crime;

• Is not currently enrolled in an alternative program; and

• Has a valid U.S. Social Security number.

• Authorizes a nurse to hold a multistate license, issued by the home state, in only one party state at a time (Article 4B).

• Authorizes a licensing board to have the power for the following (Article 5A):

• Take action against a nurse’s multistate licensure privilege;

• Issue cease and desist orders or impose an encumbrance on a nurse’s authority to practice within that state;

• Complete any pending investigations of a nurse who changes primary state of residence during the course of the investigations; and

• Obtain and submit fingerprints to the FBI for criminal background checks;

• Establishes a joint public entity known as the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators (Article 7).

• Requires the Commission to meet at least once during each calendar year (Article 7).

• Requires the Commission to exercise rulemaking powers and make the rules binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment (Article 8).

Full Bill Text