§ 21.7. Temporary practice permits.

 (a)  A graduate registered nurse may only practice professional nursing under supervision and if the graduate registered nurse holds a current temporary practice permit. ‘‘Supervision’’ means that a licensed registered nurse is physically present in the area or unit where the graduate registered nurse is practicing. The Board may grant a temporary practice permit to a graduate registered nurse as follows:

   (1)  An individual who wishes to practice as a graduate registered nurse during the period from the date of completion of the educational program to the notification of the results of the licensing examination shall submit an application for a temporary practice permit for a graduate registered nurse on a form provided by the Board and remit the fee specified in §  21.5 (relating to fees). A temporary practice permit granted under this section is valid for up to 1 year from the date of issuance, unless extended under paragraphs (3) and (4), and immediately expires if the applicant fails the licensing examination.

   (2)  At least 90 days prior to the expiration date of the temporary practice permit, the graduate registered nurse shall:

     (i)   Submit an application for licensure by examination as a registered nurse.

     (ii)   Remit the fee specified in §  21.5.

     (iii)   Submit the licensure examination registration form and fee required to the professional testing organization.

   (3)  At least 60 days prior to the expiration date of the temporary practice permit, the graduate registered nurse who wishes to extend the expiration date of the temporary practice permit because of illness or extreme hardship shall:

     (i)   Submit an application for temporary practice permit extension on a form provided by the Board.

     (ii)   Remit the fee specified in §  21.5.

     (iii)   Provide a detailed, written explanation of the reason the extension is requested. If requesting an extension due to illness, the applicant shall provide certification of the illness from the applicant’s treating physician.

   (4)  The Board will not grant an extension to an individual who fails to meet the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3).

 (b)  The Board may grant a temporary practice permit to an individual who holds a current registered nurse license issued by another state, territory or possession of the United States or Canada (a currently-licensed registered nurse). The temporary practice permit will expire in 1 year, unless the individual fails the licensure examination, in which case the temporary practice permit will immediately expire. The Board may extend the temporary practice permit period in cases of illness or extreme hardship, as set forth in paragraph (5).

   (1)  A currently-licensed registered nurse who wishes to practice professional nursing during the period from the date of submission of the Applicant Data Sheet of the application for licensure until the Board makes a determination on the application for licensure or 1 year, whichever comes first, shall:

     (ii)   Submit an application for temporary practice permit for a currently-licensed registered nurse on a form provided by the Board.

     (iii)   Remit the fee specified in §  21.5.

   (2)  An individual applying for a temporary practice permit for a currently-licensed registered nurse shall demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting proof that the individual’s nursing education program was conducted in English or that the individual has received a passing score on a Board-approved English proficiency examination. A list of Board-approved English proficiency examinations is available upon request to the Board. This information must be submitted with the Applicant Data Sheet of the application for licensure.

   (3)  Within 45 days of the date the temporary practice permit is issued, an individual who has been granted a temporary practice permit for a currently-licensed registered nurse shall submit the Verification of Licensure Form of the application for licensure and shall:

     (i)   Request verification of licensure from the foreign jurisdiction and retain documentation of the submission of the request to provide to the Board upon request.

     (ii)   Request certification of the applicant’s nursing education program from the licensing board or appropriate educational authorities. The certification of nursing education must be submitted to the Board in English directly from the appropriate educational authorities. The applicant shall retain documentation of the submission of the request to provide to the Board upon request.

     (iii)   Submit the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) application if the applicant is required to meet CGFNS requirements in § §  21.23(c) and 21.28(c) (relating to qualifications of applicant for examination; and licensure by endorsement) and retain documentation of the submission of the CGFNS application to provide to the Board upon request.

     (iv)   If the applicant is required to take the licensure examination, submit the licensure examination registration form and fee required to the professional testing organization and retain documentation of the submission of the application to take the examination to provide to the Board upon request.

   (4)  An individual who has been granted a temporary practice permit for a currently-licensed registered nurse shall ensure that all documentation in support of the application for licensure is received by the Board no later than 90 days prior to the expiration date of the temporary practice permit. An individual whose supporting documentation has not been received by the Board at least 90 days prior to the expiration date of the temporary practice permit shall submit, within 10 days of receiving notice of the deficiency from the Board, a detailed written explanation of why the supporting documentation has not been supplied to the Board in a timely manner.

   (5)  An individual who has been granted a temporary practice permit for a currently-licensed registered nurse and who has complied with paragraphs (2)—(4) may request an extension of the individual’s temporary practice permit because of illness or extreme hardship by:

     (i)   Submitting a temporary practice permit extension application provided by the Board.

     (ii)   Remitting the fee specified in §  21.5.

     (iii)   Submitting a written, detailed explanation of the reasons the extension is requested. If requesting an extension due to illness, the applicant shall provide certification of the illness from the applicant’s treating physician.

     (iv)   Providing proof of the timely request for verification of licensure referenced in paragraph (3)(i).

   (6)  The request for temporary practice permit extension must be submitted to the Board no less than 60 days prior to the expiration date of the temporary practice permit.

   (7)  The Board will not grant an extension to an individual who fails to meet the requirements of paragraphs (2)—(6).

   The provisions of this §  21.7 issued under section 2.1(k) of the Professional Nursing Law (63 P. S. §  212.1(k)).

   The provisions of this §  21.7 adopted May 19, 2006, effective May 20, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 2402.