Section 172-101-003 - REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUANCE OF LICENSE To obtain a license to practice nursing in Nebraska, an individual must submit a complete application provided by the Department and provide documentation demonstrating that the applicant meets the licensing requirements of the Uniform Credentialing Act, 172 NAC 10, 172 NAC 2, and this chapter.
003.01LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION. General requirements for licensure as a practical nurse or a registered nurse by examination include requirements found in the Uniform Credential Act, 172 NAC 10, and the following: (A) Submit an official transcript documenting completion of the basic curriculum in an approved program of practical nursing or registered nursing; or a military program approved by the Board pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-1,141;(B) Graduates from non-English speaking practical nursing or registered nursing education programs must present evidence of successful completion of one of the following: (i) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) paper version with a minimum score of 560; (ii) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) computer version with a minimum score of 220; (iii) Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL® iBT) with a minimum score of 84 and a minimum speaking score of 26; (iv) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic version with an overall score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 6.0 on all modules;(v) Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) with a minimum score of 780;(vi) Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a passing standard of 81 and speaking section score of 3; or(vii) Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) 55 overall with no sub scores lower than 50 in each scored part; (C) Graduates of foreign nursing education programs taught in English should be directed to take an NCLEX preparatory review course;(D) Graduates of foreign nursing education programs will be required to have a transcript evaluation by a Board-approved credentialing review program; and(E) Pass the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN®) or the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®).003.02LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT. General requirements for licensure as a practical nurse or a registered nurse by endorsement include requirements found in 172 NAC 10, and the following: (A) Be licensed in another state or jurisdiction;(B) Meet one of the following practice requirements for continuing competency: (i) Graduated from an approved nursing program within the previous 5 years;(ii) Practiced nursing for a minimum of 500 hours within the previous 5 years;(iii) Completed a Board-approved review course of study within the previous 5 years;(C) Complete a NURSYST verification for all current and prior licenses in other states or jurisdictions;(D) Submit individual state licensure verifications from states not participating in NURSYST;(E) Licensees from non-English speaking jurisdictions must present evidence of successful completion of one of the following if they have been working in a non-English speaking setting in the past 2 years: (i) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) paper version with a minimum score of 560;(ii) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) computer version with a minimum score of 220; (iii) Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL® iBT) with a minimum score of 84 and a minimum speaking score of 26; (iv) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic version with an overall score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 6.0 on all modules;(v) Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) with a minimum score of 780; (vi) Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a passing standard of 81 and speaking section score of 3; or (vii) Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) 55 overall with no sub scores lower than 50 in each scored part; (F) Graduates of foreign nursing education programs may be required to have a transcript evaluation by a Board-approved credentialing review program; and(G) Graduates of Canadian registered nursing programs must have passed the English version of the Canadian Nurses Association licensure examination prior to 2015 or the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®).003.03TEMPORARY LICENSE. A temporary license will be issued for 60 days or until the expiration date of the current license in the other state, whichever occurs first. The temporary license may be extended by the Department. The temporary license becomes null and void if the regular license is issued or a final decision is made to deny the regular license. 003.03(A)DOCUMENTATION. The Department will accept as documentation of a current license in another state: (i) An official certification record from the other state or jurisdiction; or (ii) Certification or verification of licensure obtained through NURSYST.003.03(B)DESIGNATION. Persons holding valid temporary licenses pursuant to this section are entitled to use the designation registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN).003.02(C) TEMPORARY LICENSE FOR REFRESHER COURSE. Persons currently or previously licensed in another state or jurisdiction who have not graduated or practiced nursing for at least 500 hours within the past 5 years immediately preceding the date of application and who wish to enroll in a review course of study approved by the Board in order to obtain licensure pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-2225 and who meet all the other requirements for licensure in Nebraska may be issued a temporary license after submitting the following to the Department: (i) A completed application;(ii) Written validation from the institution conducting the review course of study of the duration of the course and that the individual has applied and been accepted for the course. For an individually designed review course, written validation of the dates of the clinical practice may be submitted from the supervising or collaborating nurse; and (iii) Documentation of current or previous licensure in another state or jurisdiction. Acceptable documentation consists of: (1) An official certification record from the other state or jurisdiction; or(2) Certification or verification of licensure obtained through NURSYST; (iv) The temporary license issued pursuant to this section:(1) Is valid only for clinical practice undertaken as part of the approved course;(2) Requires such practice to be supervised by a licensed registered nurse; and(3) Entitles the holder to use the designation registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.172 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 101, § 003
Amended effective 10/5/2020