§ 25-23-1-11 — Requirements for registered nurse applicants; temporary permits; endorsement license; fees; use of title

(a) Any person who applies to the board for
a license to practice as a registered nurse must:
(1) not have:
(A) been convicted of a crime that has a direct bearing on the
person's ability to practice competently; or
(B) committed an act that would constitute a ground for a
disciplinary sanction under IC 25-1-9;
(2) have completed:
(A) the prescribed curriculum and met the graduation
requirements of a state accredited program of registered nursing
that only accepts students who have a high school diploma or
its equivalent as determined by the board; or
(B) the prescribed curriculum and graduation requirements of
a nursing education program in a foreign country that is
substantially equivalent to a board approved program as
determined by the board. The board may by rule adopted under
IC 4-22-2 require an applicant under this subsection to
successfully complete an examination approved by the board to
measure the applicant's qualifications and background in the
practice of nursing and proficiency in the English language; and
(3) be physically and mentally capable of and professionally
competent to safely engage in the practice of nursing as
determined by the board.
The board may not require a person to have a baccalaureate degree in
nursing as a prerequisite for licensure. An applicant meets the English
proficiency requirement under subdivision (2) if the applicant passes
an English course as certified in the transcript from the board's
approved nursing education program or submits proof of passing the
National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) that was taken in
only the English language.
(b) The applicant must pass an examination in such subjects as the
board may determine.
(c) The board may issue a temporary registered nurse permit to
practice as a registered nurse applicant to a person who has initially
applied for license by examination, after the board receives the
necessary materials to determine compliance with subsection (a). The
temporary registered nurse permit is valid until the earlier of six (6)
months after issuance or the registered nurse applicant's examination
results under subsection (b) are received. If the registered nurse
applicant does not receive a passing score on the first examination
under subsection (b), the temporary registered nurse permit is no longer
valid.
(d) A registered nurse applicant must:
(1) practice under the supervision of a registered nurse; and
(2) use the abbreviation "RNG" after the registered nurse
graduate's name.
(e) The board may issue by endorsement a license to practice as a
registered nurse to an applicant who has been licensed as a registered
nurse, by examination, under the laws of another state if the applicant
presents proof satisfactory to the board that, at the time that the
applicant applies for an Indiana license by endorsement, the applicant
holds a current license in another state and possesses credentials and
qualifications that are substantially equivalent to requirements in
Indiana for licensure by examination. The board may specify by rule
what constitutes substantial equivalence under this subsection.
(f) The board may issue by endorsement a license to practice as a
registered nurse to an applicant who:
(1) has completed the English version of the:
(A) Canadian Nurse Association Testing Service Examination
(CNAT); or
(B) Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE);
(2) achieved the passing score required on the examination at the
time the examination was taken;
(3) is currently licensed in a Canadian province or in another
state; and
(4) meets the other requirements under this section.
(g) The board shall issue by endorsement or examination a license
to practice as a registered nurse to an applicant who:
(1) is a graduate of a foreign nursing school;
(2) has successfully passed the National Council Licensure
Examination (NCLEX);
(3) provides:
(A) documentation that the applicant has:
(i) taken an examination prepared by the Commission on
Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools International, Inc.
(CGFNS); and
(ii) achieved the passing score required on the examination
at the time the examination was taken;
(B) a satisfactory Credentials Evaluation Service Professional
Report issued by CGFNS;
(C) a satisfactory VisaScreen Certificate verification letter
issued by CGFNS; or
(D) a satisfactory credential verification assessment from an
organization that is a member of the National Association of
Credential Evaluation Services or any other organization
approved by the board; and
(4) meets the other requirements of this section.
(h) Each applicant for examination and registration to practice as a
registered nurse shall pay:
(1) a fee set by the board; and
(2) if the applicant is applying for a multistate license (as defined
in IC 25-42-1-11) under IC 25-42 (Nurse Licensure Compact), a
fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) in addition to the fee under
subdivision (1);
a part of which must be used for the rehabilitation of impaired
registered nurses and impaired licensed practical nurses. Payment of
the fee or fees shall be made by the applicant prior to the date of
examination.
(i) The lesser of the following amounts from fees collected under
subsection (h) shall be deposited in the impaired nurses account of the
state general fund established by section 34 of this chapter:
(1) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the license application fee per
license applied for under this section.
(2) The cost per license to operate the impaired nurses program,
as determined by the Indiana professional licensing agency.
(j) Any person who holds a license to practice as a registered nurse
in Indiana or under IC 25-42 may use the title "Registered Nurse" and
the abbreviation "R.N.". No other person shall practice or advertise as
or assume the title of registered nurse or use the abbreviation of "R.N."
or any other words, letters, signs, or figures to indicate that the person
using same is a registered nurse.
Formerly: Acts 1949, c.159, s.11; Acts 1971, P.L.376, SEC.10;
Acts 1974, P.L.119, SEC.3; Acts 1975, P.L.272, SEC.1. As amended
by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.163; Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.58;
P.L.169-1985, SEC.72; P.L.149-1987, SEC.60; P.L.152-1988, SEC.17;
P.L.48-1991, SEC.39; P.L.33-1993, SEC.30; P.L.181-1996, SEC.1;
P.L.236-1999, SEC.1; P.L.181-2002, SEC.6; P.L.1-2007, SEC.173;
P.L.134-2008, SEC.29; P.L.135-2019, SEC.2; P.L.156-2020, SEC.103;
P.L.69-2022, SEC.5; P.L.148-2023, SEC.14; P.L.17-2024,
SEC.17.