21 NCAC 36 .0211             LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION

(a)  To be eligible for licensure by examination, an applicant shall:

(1)           submit a completed application for licensure, attesting under oath or affirmation that the information on the application is true and complete and authorizing the release to the Board of all information pertaining to the application. Application for Examination is posted on the Board's website at www.ncbon.com;

(2)           submit the licensure application fee as established in G.S. 90-171.27(b);

(3)           have an unencumbered license in all jurisdictions in which a license is or has ever been held;

(4)           have no pending court conditions as a result of any misdemeanor or felony convictions. The applicant shall provide a written explanation and all investigative reports or court documents evidencing the circumstances of the crimes if requested by the Board. The Board shall use these documents when determining if a license should be denied pursuant to G.S. 90-171.48 and G.S. 90-171.37;

(5)           submit a written explanation and all related documents if the nurse has ever been listed as a nurse aide and if there have ever been any substantiated findings pursuant to G.S. 131E-255. The Board may take these findings into consideration when determining if a license should be denied pursuant to G.S. 90-171.37. In the event findings are pending, the Board may withhold taking any action until the investigation is completed; and

(6)           complete a criminal background check in accordance with G.S. 90-171.48;

(7)           apply to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX™).

In the event any of the above required information indicates a concern about the applicant's qualifications, an applicant may be required to appear in person for an interview with the Board if the Board determines in its discretion that more information is needed to evaluate the application.

(b)  An applicant shall meet the educational qualifications to take the examination for licensure to practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse by:

(1)           graduating from a National Council State Board of Nursing (NCSBN) member Board-approved nursing program, in accordance with Section .0300 of these Rules, designed to prepare a person for registered nurse or licensed practical nurse licensure;

(2)           graduating from a nursing program outside the United States that is designed to provide graduates with comparable education as required in 21 NCAC 36 .0321(b) through (d) for licensure as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, and submitting evidence from an evaluation agency of the required educational qualifications and evidence of English proficiency. The evaluation agencies for educational qualifications shall be selected from a list of evaluation agencies published by NCSBN, incorporated by reference including subsequent amendments and editions and available at no cost at www.ncsbn.org. The evidence of English proficiency shall be a test as listed by NCSBN, incorporated by reference including subsequent amendments and editions and available at no cost at www.ncsbn.org; or

(3)           being eligible for licensure as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in the country of nursing education program completion.

(c)  An application shall be submitted to the Board and a registration form to Pearson VUE. The applicant shall meet all requirements of NCSBN. Applicants for a North Carolina license may take the examination for licensure developed by NCSBN at any NCSBN-approved testing site.

(d)  An application for licensure shall be valid for a period of one year from the date the application is filed with the Board or until the Board receives notice that the applicant has either passed or failed the examination.

(e)  The examinations for licensure developed by NCSBN shall be the examinations for licensure as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse in North Carolina and these examinations shall be administered in accordance with the contract between the Board and NCSBN.

(f)  Any license issued shall be issued for the remainder of the biennial period.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-171.23(15); 90‑171.29; 90‑171.30; 90-171.37(1); 90-171.48;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. December 1, 2004; April 1, 2003; January 1, 1996; July 1, 1994; February 1, 1994; August 3, 1992;

Readopted Eff. January 1, 2019.