Section 246-840-045. Initial licensure for registered nurses and practical nurses who graduate from an international school of nursing.

(1) Registered nurse and practical nurse applicants educated in a jurisdiction which is not a member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and applying for initial licensure must:

(a) Successfully complete a basic nursing education program approved in that country.

(i) The nursing education program must be equivalent to the minimum standards prevailing for nursing education programs approved by the commission.

(ii) Any deficiencies in the nursing program (theory and clinical practice in medical, psychiatric, obstetric, surgical and pediatric nursing) may be satisfactorily completed in a commission approved nursing program or program created for internationally educated nurses identified in WAC 246-840-549, 246-840-551 or 246-840-552.

(b) Obtain an evaluation or certificate from a commission approved credential evaluation service verifying that the educational program completed by the applicant is equivalent to nursing education in the state of Washington.

(c) Demonstrate English language proficiency by passing a commission approved English proficiency examination at a commission designated standard, or provide evidence directly from the school of earning a high school diploma or college degree from a United States institution prior to commission approval to take the national licensing examination.

Individuals from Canada (except for Quebec), United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Island, and U.S. Virgin Islands will have this requirement waived.

(d) Complete seven clock hours of AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8.

(e) Successfully pass the commission approved licensure examination as provided in WAC 246-840-050.

(2) Registered nurse and practical nurse applicants must submit the following documents:

(a) A completed licensure application with the required fee as defined in WAC 246-840-990.

(b) Official transcript directly from the nursing education program or licensure agency in the country where the applicant was educated and previously licensed.

(i) Transcript must be in English or accompanied by an official English translation. If the applicant's original documents (education and licensing) are on file in another state or with an approved credential evaluation agency, the applicant may request that the state board or approved credential evaluating agency send copies directly to the commission in lieu of the originals.

(ii) The transcript must:

(A) Include the applicant's date of enrollment, date of graduation and credential conferred.

(B) Describe the course names and credit hours completed.

(C) Document equivalency to the minimum standards in Washington state. Course descriptions or syllabi may be requested to determine equivalency to Washington state standards.

(c) Documentation from a commission approved nursing program showing that any deficiency has been satisfactorily completed.

(d) Documents must show the applicant has passed a commission approved English proficiency examination or the requirement is waived as identified in subsection (1) of this section.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.010, 18.79.110, 18.79.150, 18.79.190, and 18.79.240. WSR 16-17-082, § 246-840-045, filed 8/17/16, effective 9/17/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.110. WSR 08-11-019, § 246-840-045, filed 5/12/08, effective 6/12/08.]

RCW 18.79.010, 18.79.110, 18.79.150, 18.79.190, and 18.79.240. WSR 16-17-082, § 246-840-045, filed 8/17/16, effective 9/17/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.110. WSR 08-11-019, § 246-840-045, filed 5/12/08, effective 6/12/08.

Rules

246-840-549,246-840-551,246-840-552,246-12,246-840-050,246-840-990,