PERMANENT RULES
(Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission)
Date of Adoption: May 21, 1999.
Purpose: Amend WAC 246-840-050 Licensing examination, 246-840-070 Failures--Repeat examination, and 246-840-090 Licensure by interstate endorsement.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-840-050, 246-840-070, and 246-840-090.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.79.110.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 99-08-099 on April 6, 1999.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0. Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
May 21, 1999
Joanna Boatman, RN, Chair
Nursing Care Quality
Assurance Commission
OTS-2701.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 97-13-100, filed 6/18/97, effective 7/19/97)
WAC 246-840-050
Licensing examination.
(1) The current series of the National Council of the State Boards of Nursing Registered Nurse or Practical Nurse Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN) Computerized Adaptive Test (NCLEX CAT) shall be the official examinations for nurse licensure. In order to be licensed in this state, all nurse applicants shall take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN) within four attempts and within two years of completion of the nursing program.
(2) The NCLEX will consist of a Computerized Adaptive Test that will be individualized with the score for the examination reported as either pass or fail. Specific parameters of the exam will be as prescribed by contract with National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN).
(3) Examinations shall be conducted throughout the year.
(4) The executive director of the commission shall negotiate with NCSBN for the use of the NCLEX CAT.
(5) The examination shall be administered in accord with the NCSBN security measures and contract. All appeals of examination results shall be managed in accord with policies in the NCSBN contract.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.79 RCW. 97-13-100, § 246-840-050, filed 6/18/97, effective 7/19/97.]
(1) The retest may be scheduled no sooner than ninety days following the date of the last exam taken.
(2) Request to retake the exam must be submitted to the commission no less than forty-five days prior to the anticipated test date.
(3) Candidates who fail the examination will be permitted to retake the examination three
times within the two-year period from the month of ((first examination taken)) completion of the
nursing program.
(4) Candidates who fail to pass the examination within the time period specified in subsection (3) of this section shall be required to complete a program of study approved by the commission. Upon successful completion of the approved program, the candidate shall be required to take the examination.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.79 RCW. 97-13-100, § 246-840-070, filed 6/18/97, effective 7/19/97.]
A license to practice as a nurse in Washington may be issued without examination provided the applicant meets all of the following requirements:
FOR PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMS:
(1) The applicant has graduated and holds a credential from:
(a) A commission or state board approved program preparing candidates for licensure as a practical nurse; or
(b) Its equivalent as determined by the commission, which program must fulfill the minimum requirement for commission or state board approved practical nursing programs in Washington at the time of graduation.
(2) Applicants shall have passed a state board constructed test, the SBTPE (state board test pool examination), or NCLEX in their original state of licensure within four attempts and within two years of completion of the nursing program.
(3) The applicant held or currently holds a license to practice as a practical nurse in another state or territory. If the license is lapsed or inactive for three years or more, the applicant must successfully complete a commission approved refresher course before an active Washington license is issued.
(4) That grounds do not exist for denial under chapter 18.130 RCW.
(5) The applicant shall:
(a) Submit a completed application with the required fee.
(b) Applicants must complete seven clock hours of AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8.
FOR REGISTERED NURSE PROGRAMS:
(6) The applicant has graduated and holds a degree/diploma from a commission or state
board approved school of nursing preparing candidates for licensure as a registered nurse
provided such nursing program is equivalent to the minimum nursing educational standards
prevailing for commission or state board approved schools of nursing in Washington at the time
of the applicant's graduation.
(a) Applicants who were licensed prior to January 1, 1953, must have scored at least seventy-five percent on the commission or state board examination in the state of original licensure.
(i) Applicants licensed after January 1, 1953, but before June 1, 1982, must have passed the state board test pool examination for registered nurse licensure with a minimum standard score of 350 in each test.
(ii) Applicants licensed after July 1, 1982, must have passed with a minimum standard score as established by contract with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
(b) The applicant holds a valid current license to practice as a registered nurse in another state or territory.
(c) Applicants must complete seven clock hours of AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8.
(d) The application must be completed and notarized, the fee must be filed with the application. A notarized copy of a valid current license shall be filed with the application.
(e) Verification of licensure by examination must be obtained from the state or territory of original licensure. Any fee for verification required by the state or territory of original license must be paid by the applicant.
(7) Applicants from countries outside the United States who were granted a license in another United States jurisdiction or territory prior to December 31, 1971, and who were not required to pass the state board test pool examination must meet the following requirements:
(a) The nursing education program must meet the minimum approved standards prevailing for schools of nursing in Washington at the time of the applicant's graduation.
(b) The applicant holds a valid current license to practice as a registered nurse in another United States jurisdiction or territory.
(c) The applicant must submit to the commission:
(i) A complete notarized application. The fee must be filed with the application.
(ii) Verification of original licensure obtained in the United States jurisdiction or territory.
(iii) Notarized copies of educational preparation and licensure by examination submitted directly from the country of original licensure or from the state commission or territory of original United States licensure.
(iv) Verification of current nursing practice for three years prior to application for Washington licensure.
(v) Applicants must complete seven clock hours of AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8.
(d) The applicant shall meet all requirements of chapter 18.79 RCW and regulations of the commission.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. 98-05-060, § 246-840-090, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.79 RCW. 97-13-100, § 246-840-090, filed 6/18/97, effective 7/19/97.]