HB4427 Summary

• Amends the Nurse Practice Act to allow applicants who have not yet passed the professional nursing licensure examination to work as exam-pending registered nurses under the supervision of a registered professional nurse or advanced practice registered nurse.

• Exam-pending nurses may practice until they pass the examination, with the privilege to practice terminating after 3 months (extendable if needed for Department processing), upon license issuance, upon application denial, or upon Department request.

• Applicants must still meet standard requirements including application submission, graduation from an approved nursing program, criminal history clearance, and examination fee payment to be eligible for exam-pending status.

• Exam-pending nurses are prohibited from working in any management capacity during their pending status.

• Existing provisions maintained requiring applicants to pass the licensure examination within 3 years of initial application or submit to additional education before reapplying.