General Information
How do I change my address OR name on my license?
Board Rule 217.7 requires name and address changes to be submitted to the Board in writing. These changes may be submitted via fax, e-mail, or paper copy through the mail. Additionally, address and name changes may be submitted by using the Nurse Portal and uploading applicable supporting documents. Information about the Nurse Portal is available on the Board’s Nurse Portal webpage: https://www.bon.texas.gov/texasnurseportal/. Please be aware the Board will be amending its rules in the near future to require all name and address changes to be submitted through the Nurse Portal. If you leave out any information, your request may not be processed. Please include the following in your request:...
For an address change:
- Full Name
- Nursing License Number OR last four digits of your Social Security Number (only U.S. SSN accepted)
- Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)
- Old or Previous Address for identification purposes
- New Address
Primary state of residence* – the state of a person's declared, fixed, permanent, and principal home for legal purposes; domicile. (example: Texas, New York, Arkansas, Tennessee, Wyoming, California, etc.)
*Primary state of residence is determined by the following types of items:
- a driver’s license with a home address
- voter registration card displaying a home address
- federal income tax return declaring the primary state of residence
- Military Form No. 2058 – state of legal residence certificate; or
- W2 from US Government or any bureau, division or agency thereof indicating the declared state of residence
If your changing your Declared Home State to Texas and can determine Texas as your primary state of residency based on the information above, you will submit the primary state of residence form located on the Texas Board of Nursing website as well as one of the items listed above. Once the form is received please allow 10 business days for the information to be updated.
For a name change:
- Prior Full Name
- New Name (as it appears on the legal document reflecting the name change. Note: If you already have a license, no paper license is sent. See below.)
- Current Home Address
- Texas Nursing License Number OR last four digits of Social Security Number (only U.S. SSN accepted)
- Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)
- In addition, you MUST attach a copy of the official, legal document that changes your name (i.e. marriage certificate, page of the divorce decree that shows the name change and date of the decree, updated Texas driver's license, etc.)
- Primary state of residence – the state of a person's declared, fixed, permanent, and principal home for legal purposes; domicile. (example: Texas, New York, Arkansas, Tennessee, Wyoming, California, etc.)
You may send the information to the Texas Board of Nursing at:
Texas Board of Nursing
William P. Hobby Building
333 Guadalupe, Suite 3–460
Austin, TX 78701-3944
Fax number: (512) 305-7401
Please note that it may take up to ten (10) business days for your address or name change to be processed. If you have questions regarding your submission, please contact the Webmaster.
I am licensed in another state and would like to endorse my license into Texas. What is the procedure and how long does it take?
To be eligible for licensure by endorsement, you must have graduated from an approved PN/VN or RN program, taken the appropriate U.S. exam, and have either worked in nursing or have taken the US NCLEX® exam sometime in the previous four years prior to the application....
There are two methods by which a Nurse may apply for a license with the Texas Board of Nursing (BON): 1) Online or 2) Paper. Upon receipt of your application; criminal background check; verification from all states, territories, countries, and/or provinces; and passing the nursing jurisprudence examination, your application will be reviewed for a permanent nursing license. Processing time for the review to take place is within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of the last item that completed your application. For more information on the Endorsement process, please see our page on Endorsement.
Note: If you have previously held a Texas nursing license, you are not eligible to apply by Endorsement. You should either renew or reactivate the Texas license you once held.
What are the requirements for a state to be declared my home state of residency for compact privileges?
- If you live in a compact state (see list of compact states), you must have at least one of the following to declare that state your home state of residency:
- A driver's license in that state, or;
- An address from the state where you hold a voter's registration, or;
- An address in that state by which you file your federal income taxes.
- In Texas, (and most compact states) we require some type of formal declaration. You cannot assume you have the compact privilege just because you have one or more of the items above. In Texas, you must declare your home state on your examination application, endorsement application, renewal form, or separate declaration of primary state of residence form, whichever is applicable.
- If you need to update your state of residency after you have a license, please submit a primary state of residence form with a copy of 1, 2, or 3 as listed above in A, above.
I lost my license. How do I get another one? Is there a fee? How long will it take?
As of September 1, 2008, the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) no longer issues paper licenses. In accordance, the BON no longer issues duplicate licenses. Print a copy from the verification page of the BON website. See below.
I did not receive a renewal notice in the mail. How do I get one?
Sixty days prior to your license expiring, the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) mails a renewal postcard to the last known address in our system. This postcard provides notification of the...
How do I place my license on inactive OR retired status?
If your nursing license is current, you may request inactive status or apply for retired status by logging into your Nurse Portal account. Your license information will include links to apply for Inactive or Retired Status. No fee is required for either Inactive or Retired status. If you desire to re-enter the practice of nursing in Texas, you will be required to pay a reactivation fee and meet all current requirements in effect at the time you desire to re-enter the practice of nursing.
Does the Board require continuing nursing education (CNE) credits?
Yes. Nurses must attest to completing a minimum of twenty (20) contact hours prior to renewing their license. First time licensees by examination and endorsement are exempt from this requirement upon their first renewal. Do not mail any certificates to the Texas Board of Nursing (BON)....
You will be required to provide copies of the continuing nursing education (CNE) certificates upon notification of an audit. Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are required to complete CNE within their advanced population focus area and role recognized by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). APRNs with limited prescriptive authority must also complete an additional five contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics. We accept CNE programs that are approved by national nursing organizations, their affiliates, and other state boards of nursing. For more information, see education Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
I am moving to another state which needs a verification of my Texas license. Is there a form and/or fee for this service?
Texas does not provide verification of licensure to any state since the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) participates in the national database called NURsys®. All your Texas license information...
is maintained in this national database. You can allow the new state to access your Texas license information in NURsys® by paying the fee to that system. You can do this by going to their website at www.nursys.com. If you have APRN recognition or the verification is going to a location other than another state board of nursing, then you may submit your request in writing along with a $25 check or money order payble to the Texas Board of Nursing to:
Texas Board of Nursing
William P. Hobby Building
333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-460
Austin, TX 78701-3944
Where do I find information regarding Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs)?
CNAs are registered by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. You may contact them at: (512) 438-2050 or 1-800-452-3934.
I took the VN/PN or RN exam last week. Can you tell me if I passed? When will I receive my results?
Most candidates receive results in the mail within three (3) weeks from their test date. However, if NCS Pearson places the candidate's results on "Hold" for any reason (i.e. to verify identity,...
technical problems, etc.), it may delay the applicant in receiving the results. Results will not be released over the phone or by e–mail during this time. Licensure verification can be obtained from our website under online verification. If you have passed the exam and have a valid US social security number (SSN), licensure should be available for verification within fifteen (15) working days after you have taken the exam. The Board does participate in "Quick Results," but it does not substitute for the official results.
Fingerprinting for Texas LVNs and RNs
What is IdentoGO USA (formerly known as Identix)?
IdentoGO is a company contracted by the Department of Public Safety to provide fingerprinting services in the State of Texas. They have locations throughout the state and specialize in...
live-scan fingerprinting. The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) recommends that Texas residents use IdentoGO USA for fingerprinting services. Fingerprints done with IdentoGO can be submitted electronically to the BON, which results in fewer rejected fingerprints and faster processing.
Can I get my fingerprints done now and send them in early?
No. The fingerprints must be sent when the Board sends the notification to IdentoGO. Due to the high volume of nurses in the State of Texas, we cannot accept fingerprints unless the person has been selected or is a new applicant.
Are all nurses being fingerprinted?
Yes. All initial licensure candidates must be fingerprinted and licensed. Nurses will be randomly selected to be fingerprinted at least once over the next ten years.
How will I know when I have been selected for fingerprinting?
The Board mails a notice to selected nurses ninety (90) days prior to the expiration date of the license. It is imperative that the Board has the person's correct address to ensure that all notices are received. To change your address, see information here. Fingerprinting instructions are included with the notice.
What happens if I do not send my fingerprints?
You will not be able to renew your nursing license unless the fingerprints are submitted when requested by the Board.
Can I do the fingerprints on my own?
No, the fingerprints must be done by someone trained to collect fingerprints. If you are unable to be fingerprinted through IdentoGO, you may be fingerprinted at a law enforcement agency (police department/sheriff's office).
How much does it cost to be fingerprinted?
IdentoGO charges $41.95 for fingerprinting services. Other agencies in Texas and outside Texas may charge a different fee. Please check with the prospective agency prior to making an appointment.
I was recently fingerprinted by another agency. Do I still need to be fingerprinted for the Board of Nursing?
Yes. Fingerprints would still need to be submitted to the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). The fingerprints submitted to other agencies cannot be used by the BON to obtain criminal history records from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Why did I receive a letter saying I need to submit another set of fingerprints?
If the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and/or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are unable to read the fingerprints, they will require another set of fingerprints. Typically, this indicates the fingerprinting technician rolled the fingerprints incorrectly. Rejections of this type can often be avoided by using IdentoGO for fingerprinting services.
I think something may come up on my criminal background check. Should I notify the Board before submitting my fingerprints?
Yes. Please send a signed and dated letter to the Board describing the incident(s) on your criminal background with certified copies of the court documents.
What happens if something comes up on my criminal history record?
If the Board has not previously reviewed the incident(s), the Board's Enforcement Department will review the case(s) to determine whether any disciplinary action is warranted. If the Board has previously reviewed the incident(s), the findings from the original investigation(s) will stand.
NCLEX® Examination
How soon can I take the NCLEX® Examination?
You may schedule your NCLEX® examination once you have received your Authorization to Test (ATT) letter.
I know applicants who did not have to take the Nursing Jurisprudence Examination before receiving their Authorization to Test (ATT), but I am being told I must take it in order to be deemed eligible to test. When did this change?
This change went into effect March 2014.
How long does it take to hear back about the Declaratory Order I submitted?
A Declaratory Order is submitted for the initial review after the Declaratory Order, statement, all corresponding certified documents, and the Criminal Background Check (CBC) results are received. The initial review can take up to 30 days.
I received my outcome letter from my Declaratory Order. When should I expect my blue card?
Blue clearance cards are only issued to individuals who have a clear criminal background check.
Who will send me the Authorization to Test letter?
Pearson Vue will send you the Authorization to Test letter by email.
What do I need to bring with me to the testing center?
You should bring your Authorization to Test and your photo identification. Your first and last name on your photo ID should match exactly to your name on the Authorization to Test letter. (Middle names are not required.) This is a safeguard to prevent someone else from testing in your place.
What if I change my address (or name) after I send my application materials in, but before I take the exam?
You can submit a name or address update by logging into your Nurse Portal account. Please email [email protected] if you need the change made to Pearson Vue as well. Please include your name, date of birth, and the last four numbers in your social security number in your email.
Why haven't I received my results?
Test results can be verified by logging into your Nurse Portal account and checking the status of your application.
Can you give me my test results over the phone?
No. Exam results are only released through your Nurse Portal account.
Endorsement Applications
How soon will a temporary license be issued?
A 120 day temporary license could be issued within fifteen (15) working days from the date the completed Endorsement Application and fee are received.
How long does it take to get my permanent nursing license?
The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) staff has a target of 15 business days from the date the last item needed is received to review and, if approved, to submit an endorsement application for a license to be issued, then for the license to be issued. This will vary depending on how long it takes to receive all of these:...
- license verification(s)
- criminal background check results, and
- any other documents required, as well as
- your requirement to pass the nursing jurisprudence examination.
I am an RN Undergraduate and hold a nursing license in another state. Can I endorse that nursing license to Texas?
No. You must have graduated from an approved nursing program and must have taken the NCLEX® or SBTPE to be eligible to apply for endorsement. For more information, see
- this FAQ
- the licensure eligibility page, and
- the licensure - endorsement page.
I took my Board Constructed Examination. Will I be able to endorse my nursing license?
No. You must have taken a National Licensing Examination which is either the NCLEX® or SBTPE. If you took a different type of test, you will need to contact our Examination Department.
I received a license in another state but I never worked there. Do I still need to get a license verification from that state?
Yes. It does not matter if you never used the nursing license or if it is not current. You must have a license verification from every state a nursing license was held.
Do I need a license verification from my country, territory, or province since I have a nursing license in the United States?
Yes. It is required to have a license verification from all states, countries, territories, and provinces where a permanent nursing license was held or where you had permanent authorization to work in a nursing position.
If I answer YES to an eligibility issue, will I get a temporary license?
Maybe. The answer varies depending on the type of eligibility issue(s), the number of eligibility issues, and the date(s) of the eligibility issue(s). A determination can be made only after the required paperwork has been received and has been reviewed.
If I provided another licensing agency with the information regarding my eligibility issue, do I still have to reveal it to the Texas Nursing Board?
Yes. Every state investigation process is different. Even if you provided the information to another nursing board you also need to report it to the Texas Board even if the other board took no action against your nursing license.
I received my training through a branch of service other than the Army and I am licensed in California where I have been working for over 10 years. Will this allow me to endorse into Texas?
No. You do not meet the Education Requirements.
What military branch has an approved nursing program?
The Army is the only military branch that has an approved Vocational Nursing Program.
I had previously answered "Yes" on an application to an eligibility issue(s) which has/have been investigated. I am submitting an endorsement application. Do I need to answer "Yes" to the eligibility question(s) even though it/they is/are the same answer(s) as previously disclosed or can I answer "No"? What do I need to provide?
Even though you have previously answered "Yes" to eligibility question(s) and provided the statement and relevant documents which were investigated, if you are applying again, then you must answer "Yes" to all eligibility questions that apply. You will need to submit a detailed statement...
Multistate Recognition - Nurse Licensure Compact
How and Why Did The Nurse Licensure Compact Begin?
The United States Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 in response to the rapidly increasing practice
of healthcare by electronic means. The Telecommunications Act called for development of standards and an infrastructure
for telecommunications in healthcare....
The nursing regulatory model in place at that time required a nurse to obtain licensure in each state where the nurse wished to practice. In addition to the obvious bureaucratic constraints of this model, the Texas Board also had no authority to take action against a nurse’s license if a patient in Texas was harmed by a nurse practicing remotely in another state.
In response to the mandate of the Telecommunications Act, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) embarked on a 3-year journey to develop a model of Multistate nursing licensure recognition that would "remove regulatory barriers to increase access to safe nursing care." The RN and LPN/VN Nurse Licensure Compact began January 1, 2000, when it was passed into law by the first participating states: Maryland, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.
How Does This Multistate Licensure Model Work?
It is very similar to the driver’s license model. A person holding a driver’s license in his/her home state is permitted
to drive in other states without applying for a driver’s license in every state he/she drives through. Though requirements for
a driver’s license are similar across states, each...
state may determine and vary its own licensure requirements. The Nurse Licensure Compact is similar in that it allows a nurse licensed in one “home” compact state to practice in a party compact state without seeking an additional nursing license. Another similarity to the driver’s license model is that the Nurse Licensure Compact is implemented through laws passed by the legislature of each participating state. The essence of any state Compact law must permit the nursing board of that state to recognize individuals licensed as nurses from other participating compact states.
In order to enjoy the multistate licensure privilege, the Compact requires that the nurse be licensed in the state in which he/she permanently resides. This license is known as a home state license. The nurse must meet the licensure criteria of his/her home state in order to obtain and retain multistate licensure recognition (MSR) privileges on his/her home state nursing license.
Other states belonging to the Nurse Licensure Compact are known as “Party” states because their state governments have also agreed to recognize nurses licensed in other compact-member states. This recognition allows a nurse to practice in a party state on his/her home state license. A nurse practicing in another party state pursuant to the multistate privilege must comply with the state practice laws of the state in which the patient is located at the time care is given.
What Happens If A Nurse Moves To Another State?
A nurse can hold a home state license in only one state at a time. If a nurse changes permanent residence from one party
state to another party state, then the nurse must relinquish licensure in the previous state of residence and apply for
licensure in the new home state....
Under the Compact, the nurse may move back to his/her previous party state and re-establish licensure or move to another party state and apply for licensure there.
If a nurse moves to a state that has not enacted or does not recognize the Compact, the previous home state license converts to a Single-State license valid only in the former home state. A single-state nursing license does not entitle the nurse to practice under multistate privilege in other party states.
What About Disciplinary Action Against A Nurse’s License?
The compact is enforceable as law and cannot be changed without the consent of all party states. In Texas, Chapter 304 of the Nursing Practice Act and Rule 220 establish the requirements regarding the Nurse Licensure Compact....
A nurse practicing in a party state will be subject to the nursing practice laws and regulations of that remote party state. The nurse must know and conform to the laws, rules and regulations affecting his/her practice in the remote party state. If a nurse violates the Nursing Practice Act (NPA) or rules of the party state, the nursing board of the party state may revoke or restrict the nurse’s privilege to practice in that state, but cannot directly sanction the nurse’s home state license.
Violations of nursing practice occurring in a remote party state will be reported to the nurse’s home state nursing board. The home state nursing board will then investigate and take appropriate disciplinary action for a violation that occurred in a party state. Administrative procedures according to individual state law, including due process rights of a nurse, will apply to disciplinary proceedings related to violations occurring under a compact license privilege.
The shared goal of all US nursing boards is to protect public health and safety through the regulation and monitoring of nursing education and practice. A coordinated licensure information system called NURSYS promotes ongoing attainment of this goal through access to information on the licensing and disciplinary history of each nurse. A party state must submit information on any current significant investigation, action against a nurse’s compact privilege, or any denials of applications for licensure.
What is the impact of the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Mutual recognition of a nurse’s license in states belonging to the Compact increases nurse mobility and facilitates
delivery of health care by innovative communication practices such as telenursing. Additionally, the Compact promotes the
public health and safety by encouraging...
cooperative efforts among the party states in nurse licensing and regulation. As more state legislatures enact the Nurse Licensure Compact, the number of party states will increase and the nation will move closer to allowing one home state license to grant a nursing privilege nationwide.
For questions regarding the Compact or its impact on your nursing license, contact BON staff at (512) 305-6809 or e-mail via [email protected]. General questions about the Compact language or the concept of mutual recognition of licensure can be obtained from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website at https://www.ncsbn.org.
Maintaining APRN licensure
What requirements must be met in order to maintain licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)?
Texas Board of Nursing Rule 221.8 addresses the requirements that must be met in order to maintain licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). In part, Rule 221.8(a)(1) addresses the requirement related to maintaining national certification/recertification in order to be eligible to maintain the APRN license. For more information on additional requirements, please read Rule 221.8 in its entirety.
BON to Discontinue Issuance of Paper Letters for APRN Interim Approval and Prescriptive Authority
Will I receive a letter when I am granted interim approval and prescriptive authority?
In order to expedite the licensing process, the Texas Board of Nursing(Board or BON) will discontinue mailing approval letters to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), when interim approval and prescriptive authority are granted. This change became effective on September 1, 2013....
Interim approval and prescriptive authority approval can be verified on the Board's website twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The BON website is the primary source for this type of verification. APRNs and their employers may choose to print and retain a copy of interim approval and prescriptive authority approval directly from the Board's website. To access this information, click on Verify License, then Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. Nurses with a Texas RN license may use their Texas RN License number to access interim approval (temporary authorization to practice) or prescriptive authority approval. Nurses practicing in Texas on a multi-state registration should use the last four digits of their social security numbers and their birthdates to verify interim approval (temporary authorization to practice) or prescriptive authority approval. Texas RNs receiving advanced practice licensure will still receive a certificate in the mail when full licensure is granted to practice as advanced practice registered nurses. Verification of interim approval and prescriptive authority approval may also be completed by phone, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Central Standard Time, by contacting the Customer Service Department of the BON at (512) 305-7400. For further information or questions, please send an email to [email protected].
Copying Nursing License
I have not received my wallet-sized nursing license in the mail. What do I need to do to get my wallet-sized nursing license?
Effective September 1, 2008, the Board of Nursing (BON) discontinued the issuance of the wallet-sized paper license for nurses renewing their licenses....
The BON does issue a certificate indicating that a nurse has achieved authorization to practice. Nurses receiving this certificate are: (1) graduate nurses who pass the NCLEX® exam and obtain their initial nurse license in Texas; (2) nurses who hold licenses in other states and are obtaining an initial Texas nurse license; or (3) nurses who receive their initial full authorization to practice as advanced practice registered nurses.
Some of my colleagues have a paper wallet-size license, and I have lost mine. Can I get a replacement?
Effective September 1, 2008, the BON does not provide a replacement card if a nurse was previously issued a wallet-size nursing license and no longer has the card. Instead, you may
- verify your license online
- select "Click here to view license." This pulls up a copy similar to the paper copy the BON no longer issues, then
- print the result.
If I am one of the individuals (LVN/RN/APRN) that recently received a certificate, can my employer or supervisor make a copy?
The answer is YES; however, the rule is specific and states that a nurse shall only allow copying of his or her certificate or temporary permit for the purposes of license verification by employers, licensing boards, professional organizations, nursing programs, and or third party payers for credentialing and reimbursement purposes [Rule §217.15]....
Verifying licensure status of an LVN, RN, or APRN is easily accomplished by going to the BON website (www.bon.texas.gov), then Verify License on the right, individuals may contact the Board by phone or in writing to verify licensure. Nurses are responsible for protecting their certificate/license number from loss and potential fraudulent or unlawful use.
Is it permissible for my employer to retain a copy of my license certificate?
The answer is YES. However, employers or their designee are encouraged to utilize the Verify a License Online feature, available on the Board's website, 24-hours a day, to ensure accuracy...
of a licensee's status. Verification of a nurse's license can be obtained in one of three ways: by a nursing license number; or last 4-digits of social security number and birth date; or first and last name of licensee. Supervisors/Administrators are required to verify current licensure status or other compact state privileges/credentials for nurses that they are responsible for administratively [Rule §217.11(1) (V)].
Practice of Nursing
I am answering the question on my licensure application: Have you used your nursing knowledge, skills and abilities within the past four (4) years? I'm not sure what this means, can I include volunteer positions or caring for a disabled family member? How does the Board of Nursing (BON) define "use of nursing knowledge, skills, and abilities?"
The practice of nursing is based on the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that registered nurses (RNs) and vocational nurses (LVNs) acquired in their professional or vocational nursing programs of study. The practice of nursing is not limited to the traditional roles, such as providing...
hands on, direct patient care, or teaching in a nursing program, or working as a nurse administrator. There are many more activities that nurses perform that comprise nursing practice, that are not in these traditional roles.
The practice of nursing involves the nurses' use of specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired from nursing education to perform a task, an activity, or to complete an assignment or job, regardless of whether compensation is received. This includes volunteer positions, or caring for family members, significant others or friends. Whether a nurse is in a paid or volunteer role, the nurse must know and comply with the Nursing Practice Act, Board Rules and Regulations, and any laws, rules, or regulations applicable to the nurse's area of practice. A nurse is responsible to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality in relation to the nursing care being provided.
Nurses use their specialized nursing knowledge, skills and abilities for example, when a nurse is in the role of a nurse researcher performing health related research in support of improved practice and patient outcomes. Other examples of non-traditional nursing roles include health education, utilization review, health information technology, policy and rule writing, consulting, and writing for nursing publications such as journal articles, books or continuing nursing education programs.
There are employment positions that may not use the title of nurse however, if the essential job functions require the knowledge, skills and abilities of the nurse, then the employee is practicing nursing and should be licensed as a nurse.
There is not a requirement for a specific number of hours of nursing practice within a licensure cycle for the LVN or the RN. Area of practice is defined as "any activity, assignment, or task in which the nurse utilized nursing knowledge, judgment, or skills during the licensure renewal cycle" and may provide additional guidance in answering this licensure application question. Please be aware that the advanced practice registered nurse is required to have a minimum of 400 hours of current practice within the licensure renewal cycle that must meet the requirements of the Board Rules in Chapter 221, related to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses.
References:
- Nursing Practice Act, Section 301.002 (2) & (5). Nursing Practice Act
- Texas Board of Nursing Rule 217.11 (1) (A) & (1) (E) & (1) (J). Standards of Nursing Practice
- Texas Board of Nursing Rule 216.1 (4). Continuing Competency
- Texas Board of Nursing Rule 221.8. Advanced Practice Nurses
April 2012
Volunteer Retired Nurse Authorization
Is the status "volunteer retired nurse" a special type of nursing license?
Actually, it is not a "license." It is considered a sub-category of the "Inactive" status for nursing licensure, and is an "authorization" that the Board may grant upon request to a nurse who meets criteria and pays the applicable fee for this designation.What rules apply to a nurse who is authorized as a volunteer retired nurse?
A nurse seeking to attain/maintain authorization as a volunteer retired nurse must comply with three rules:
- §216.3(6) regarding reduced requirements for continuing nursing education (10 hours of CNE every two years; if VR-RN with APN status, 20 hours of CNE are required);
- §217.9 regarding requirements to attain/maintain authorization as a volunteer retired nurse (possess unencumbered license, not perform any nursing duties for compensation, be at least 65 years old); and
- §223.1(17) which specifies a fee of $10.00 (ten) dollars each renewal period (2-years).
What defines a "charitable organization"?
A charitable organization is defined in Section 84.003 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code
and includes "any bona fide charitable, religious, prevention of
cruelty to children or animals, youth sports and youth recreational, neighborhood crime prevention or patrol, or...
educational organization (excluding fraternities, sororities, and secret societies), or other organization promoting the common good and general welfare for the people in a community, including these types of organizations with a Section 501(c)(3) or (4) exemption from federal income tax, some chambers of commerce, and volunteer centers certified by the Department of Public Safety."
What titles can a volunteer retired nurse use?
A nurse who meets the requirements to be granted authorization as a volunteer retired nurse may use the
following titles as specified in the NPA Section 301.261(e) and Rule 217.9(b):...
- Volunteer Retired Vocational Nurse (VR-VN);
- Volunteer Retired Registered Nurse (VR-RN);
- Volunteer Retired Registered Nurse, with qualifications in a given advanced practice registered nurse role and population focus (ex: VR-RN, FNP)
If a nurse's license has been on inactive/retired status more than 4 years, would the nurse have to take a refresher course to obtain volunteer retired nurse authorization?
Since volunteer retired nurse (VRN) status is not a "license" to practice nursing, a refresher course
is not required; however, depending upon the specific nursing services that the VRN...
intends to provide, continuing education and/or a precepted clinical may be prudent to assure the VRN delivers care in a safe manner. In addition, an advanced practice registered nurse with VR-RN status may need to limit the level of care provided if he/she has been out of the advanced practice role/population focus for four (4) or more years.
Will I still receive the Texas Nursing Bulletin (the Board's quarterly newsletter) if I am authorized as a volunteer retired nurse?
No. Copies of the Texas Nursing Bulletin are only mailed to nurses who maintain an active license; however, you may subscribe to receive copies of the quarterly newsletter for $15/year. To subscribe, print a publications order form from the BON web page.
Will I be subject to criminal background checks and FBI fingerprinting as a volunteer retired nurse?
Since "volunteer retired nurse" is considered an inactive licensure status, the Board does not plan to seek criminal background checks on any nurse whose license is inactive.
Will I receive notice that my volunteer retired nurse status is about to expire?
Yes. Authorization as a volunteer retired nurse is valid for the same two-year interval as an active nursing
license. For example, a nurse born in May of an even-numbered year (1948, 1952, etc.) would have to renew his/her
authorization every even-numbered year by the end of May. A nurse born in an odd-numbered year would renew his/her
authorization every odd-numbered year by the end of the nurse's birth month....
If a nurse should fail to renew his/her volunteer retired nurse (VRN) authorization prior to the expiration date, the nurse's status will revert to "inactive." If the nurse then wishes to reinstate his/her VRN status, the nurse would be required to send in proof of 10 hours of CNE credit [VR-RN with APN status must complete 20 hours of CNE/2-year renewal period] within the previous 2-year period, along with the completed application and the $10 fee.
To what extent can an advanced practice registered nurse engage in his/her advanced role and population focus with only a volunteer retired nurse authorization?
Some restrictions are evident in the rules. For example, Rule 221.4(a)(1) requires that a person possess a
"valid, current, unencumbered license as a registered nurse..." in order to seek or retain authorization as an
advanced practice registered nurse. Rule 221.9(b) further states that, "...the inactive advanced practice nurse may not utilize
his/her limited prescriptive authority." These requirements...
are congruent with additional requirements in §222.5 and §222.6 relating to active licensure and advanced practice licensure requirements for prescribing either dangerous drugs or controlled substances. Laws outside of the jurisdiction of the BON also preclude non-licensed practitioners from prescribing either dangerous or controlled substances [Texas Controlled Substances Act, §481.002(39)(D) and §483.001(12)(D) {definition of practitioner}].
As an additional clarification, an advanced practice registered nurse who has authorization as a volunteer retired nurse does not have to have 400 hours of active practice per biennium, nor does the APRN have to maintain national certification in his/her advanced practice role and population focus.
The responsibility and accountability would remain with the volunteer retired APRN to practice within his/her current competencies, recognizing limitations that may relate to lack of current knowledge/skill of the standard of care for a given medical condition, as well as inability to use prescriptive authority to prescribe medcations. Factors such as the amount of ongoing volunteer practice, continuing nursing education in the advanced practice role/population focus, and time out of active/full-time practice would need to be considered by the volunteer retired APRN in determining to what extent he/she should limit his/her practice.
I plan to retire in 6 months and will be relocating out-of-state. Can I apply for volunteer retired nurse status if Texas will no longer be my primary state of residence?
No. Volunteer retired nurse status can only be conferred upon a retired nurse who is able to claim Texas as his/her primary state of residence. This is stated in the Rule 217.9(d)(1)(B). The authorization is applicable to practice in the State of Texas. The authorization does not grant a multi-state privilege to practice in compact states.
How can I verify if a nurse has current authorization as a volunteer retired nurse?
Current authorization as a volunteer retired nurse may be verified through the BON online verification system using either the nurse's social security number or previous nursing license number. A nurse holding current authorization as a volunteer retired nurse will have an indicator to that effect in the license "status" section.
For more information on these and other topics, use the search field at the top right corner of the page. Should you have further questions or are in need of clarification, please feel free to contact the Board.
