SECTION 485:10-9-1. Licensure by examination

(a)   Qualifications. An applicant for licensure by examination as a Licensed Practical Nurse must meet the following qualifications:

(1)   Be a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age on or before the date the license is issued;

(2)   Submits an application containing such information as the Board may prescribe;

(3)   Cause submission of an official transcript from an entity approved and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a primary source for providing education transcripts, showing completion of the basic curricula of a state Board-approved practical nursing education program conducted in a member board jurisdiction that meets the requirements of 485:10-5-6(d), and showing the diploma or degree and the date conferred; or

(4)   Has completed equivalent courses through one of the following methods:

(A)   in a state approved program of nursing with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0, and a grade of a "C" or higher in all nursing courses. Evidence must be provided by an entity approved and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a primary source for providing education transcripts, verifying successful completion of a minimum of one academic year of instruction in a registered nursing education program, including classroom instruction and clinical practice in nursing care of the adult, nursing care of children, and maternal-infant nursing. Course content in anatomy and physiology, growth and development, mental health, pharmacology and nutrition also must have been successfully completed. Courses in external degree programs or completed by challenge examination are not acceptable for PN equivalency; or

(B)   has completed a registered nursing education program in a foreign country and meets the requirements of 485:10-7-2(d).

(5)   Board-approved role transition learning packet related to legal and ethical aspects of practical nursing must be successfully completed by all PN equivalency applicants prior to approval to write the examination for licensure.

(b)   Applications. Applications for licensure by examination must be completed and filed with the Board prior to the examination. If the application is not completed within one (1) year, a new application and new fee will be required.

(c)   Admission to the examination. The candidate must register with the authorized testing service and submit required fee. An authorization to test will be electronically mailed to the candidate by the testing service allowing them to schedule the exam.

(d)   Fee for examination.

(1)   The fee for writing the licensing examination adopted by the Board for practical nurse licensure shall be established by the Board in accordance with statutory guidelines and shall accompany the application.

(2)   The fee for rewriting the licensing examination adopted by the Board for practical nurse licensure shall be the same as the fee established for the first-time writing.

(3)   The fee for the examination (first time and rewrite) is not refundable.

(e)   Policies for the examination.

(1)   Applicants must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

(2)   Applicants who fail the NCLEX-PN may be eligible to repeat the examination upon filing an application and fee meeting Board requirements.

(3)   To be eligible to write or rewrite the NCLEX-PN, the applicant must submit a completed application, transcript, and fee to the Board and a completed registration form and fee to the authorized testing service within two years of completion of the nursing education program or the equivalent coursework and/or related experience. If more than two years has elapsed, the applicant must complete additional education as follows:

(A)   Successfully complete a Board-approved refresher course in accordance with the Board's policy; or

(B)   Successfully complete nursing didactic coursework and faculty-supervised clinical experience in a board-approved nursing education program at the appropriate educational level, to include at least 80 hours in classroom and skills laboratory review and at least 80 hours participating in patient care activities in the clinical setting.

(4)   After completion of the required additional education, the applicant will have two years from the completion of the additional education to take and pass the NCLEX-PN.

(5)   If more than two (2) years has elapsed since the applicant successfully passed the NCLEX-PN and did not obtain licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse, the applicant must complete additional education as follows:

(A)   Successfully complete a Board-approved refresher course in accordance with the Board's policy; or

(B)   Successfully complete nursing didactic coursework and faculty-supervised clinical experience in a Board-approved nursing education program at the appropriate educational level, to include at least 80 hours in classroom and skills laboratory review and at least 80 hours participating in patient care activities in the clinical setting.

[Source: Amended at 8 Ok Reg 3579, eff 9-20-91 (emergency); Amended at 9 Ok Reg 2103, eff 6-11-92; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 1463, eff 5-25-95; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 2707, eff 7-1-01; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 1006, eff 7-1-03; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 1415, eff 7-1-04; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 1345, eff 7-1-05; Amended at 23 Ok Reg 1453, eff 7-1-06; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 1415, eff 7-1-08; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 1615, eff 7-12-12; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 2113, eff 9-12-14; Amended at 32 Ok Reg 1199, eff 8-27-15; Amended at 35 Ok Reg 1875, eff 9-14-18; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 1000, eff 7-25-19]