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- 2010 RN Newsletter
- The State Board of Nursing ("Board") will be implementing new requirements for Advanced Practice Nurses as well as those with Prescriptive Authority. These new requirements were enacted as part of Senate Bill 09-239 and become effective July 1, 2010. The new requirements will affect currently licensed Advanced Practice Nurses with Prescriptive Authority as well as new applicants for the Advanced Practice Registry and new applicants for Prescriptive Authority. Click here for more information
- 2010 LPN Newsletter
- 2009 CNA Newsletter
- Nurse Aide Legislation Updates
- Upgrade to the Division of Registrations’ licensing data base
Upgrade to the Division of Registrations Licensing Data Base
The Division of Registrations is implementing an upgrade to the database containing licensing information for Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses, including IV and Advanced Practice/Prescriptive Authorities. The upgrade may change a nurse’s authority identification (ID) number and authority designation. All license/authority information can be found by using the RN or PN nurse’s name.
Verification of a nurse’s listing on the Advanced Practice Registry and Prescriptive Authority (RNs) and status of IV Authority (PNs) will be available to employers and the general public on-line at https://www.doradls.state.co.us/alison.php. Information may be accessed with a nurse’s name or authority ID number and will display license status, and expiration date with any discipline information associated with the nurse. Nurses working in Colorado under a compact privilege can be verified by using the same methods. This enhancement allows for the availability of authority information for nurses holding their RN and/or PN license in Colorado as well as for nurses whose RN or PN license is held in another compact state.
Advanced Practice Nurses with Prescriptive Authority using the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) through the Board of Pharmacy must use the authority ID number associated with that nurse’s prescriptive authority. Please see the description of the PDMP program at: http://www.dora.state.co.us/pharmacy/pdmp/index.htm
- NEW: Inactive Licensure Status for RN's and PN's - Available January 1, 2009
- NEW: State Board of Nursing Endorses the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation
Inactive Licensure Status For RN's and PN's - Available January 1, 2009
The State Board of Nursing announces the passage of House Bill 08-1383 during the 2008 State Legislative session. This legislation creates an inactive status for practical and professional nurse licensure. RNs and PNs with active Colorado licenses may apply for inactive status beginning January 1, 2009. Renewal of inactive licenses will be required every two years at a reduced cost. Please note: demonstration of continued competency will be required for reactivation of a PN or RN license at the time reactivation is requested. Please see Board of Nursing Policy 10-03 Continued Competency Requirements for Practical and Professional Nurses for continued competency requirements.
Check back to the Board of Nursing web site in the Frequently Asked Questions, RN Licensing Information and the PN Licensing Information sections for PNs and RNs in the coming months for more information regarding inactive status including:
- Eligibility requirements for inactive status
- The application to inactivate an active RN and/or PN license
- Renewal requirements of inactive licenses
- The application and requirements to reactive a RN or PN license
- Nurse Licensure Compact and inactive status
- Endorsement of licensure and inactive status
PLEASE NOTE: INACTIVE STATUS IS NOT AVAILABLE DURING THE 2008 RN RENEWAL PERIOD
Inactive Licensure Status- Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for inactive status?
Colorado licensed LPNs and RNs who hold active, un-restricted licensure without discipline and whose primary legal residence is Colorado or a non-compact state.
How do I inactivate my license?
Beginning in January 2009, the application to inactivate an active LPN or RN license will be available on-line in the Licensee/Applicant services section of the Board’s web site http://www.dora.state.co.us
Download and print the application and submit it with any required documentation.
Once I submit the application to inactivate my license, how long will it take to process?
It will take approximately fourteen days to process completed applications. Incomplete applications, or those applications requiring further information and/or special review will take longer to process.
Will I have to submit a fee to inactivate my license?
No. No application fees are required to inactivate an active license.
Will I be required to renew my license once it has been inactivated?
Yes. You will be required renew an inactive license every two years, during the same renewal period as active RN or LPN licenses. The renewal fee will be at a reduced rate, and will be determined by the Division of Registrations annually.
Will I receive a renewal notice if my license is inactive?
Yes, as long as you ensure that the Board of Nursing has your current address on file. To check to see if the Board has your current address, or to make address and name changes go to the Registrations On-line Services section of the Board of Nursing web site.
Will I be able to practice nursing if my license is in an inactive status?
No. Practicing nursing as defined in sections 12-38-103(9) and (10) C.R.S. without a current, active, un-restricted license in Colorado, or a valid multi-state license is a violation of the Nurse Practice Act and nurses who practice on an inactive license are subject to discipline from the Board.
May I still use the title LPN, RN, licensed practical nurse, or professional nurse if my license is inactive?
Yes. You may still use the titles but you may not actively practice nursing.
What are the requirements to reactivate an inactive license?
Submit the reactivation application, current reactivation fee, and all required supporting documentation as outlined in the application. Note: nurses whose license have been inactive for two years or longer will be required to demonstrate continued competency as outlined in Board Policy 10-03.
Where can I get the application to reactivate an inactive license?
You can download and print the application by going to the Licensee/Applicant services of the Board of Nursing web site: http://www.dora.state.co.us/nursing or you can have this application faxed directly to you by calling (303)894-7800, select option #6, then option #5, and follow the instructions for the Fax Back program. This application will be available in January 2009.
How long will it take to process my reactivation application once I have submitted it to the Office of Licensing?
It will take approximately fourteen days to process completed applications. Incomplete applications, or those applications requiring further information and/or special review will take longer to process.
Are there continuing education unit (C.E.U.) requirements to maintain inactive licensure or to reactivate an inactive license?
No. However, the Board does have continued competency requirements for those whose license has been inactive for two years or longer and want to reactivate. See Board Policy 10-03, for continued competency requirements.
If my license is in Retired/Volunteer nursing license status may I change the status for inactive status?
Yes. However, with a “retired status” the nurse is allowed to practice on a voluntary basis (without monetary compensation) and in “inactive status” the nurse cannot practice nursing even on a volunteer basis.
If my license is inactive may I change the status to retired/volunteer status if I meet the requirements to hold a retired/volunteer license?
No. You must first meet the Continued Competency Requirements as outlined in Board Policy 10-03 , and then you must apply for reactivation of your license. Once your license has been reactivated, if you meet the requirements for Retired/Volunteer status as outlined in the section 12-38-112.5 of the Nurse Practice Act, at your next renewal you may apply to change your licensure to Retired/Volunteer status.
What happens if I do not renew my inactive license?
All licenses (whether active or inactive) not renewed after the standard 60 day grace period will be expired. Those licensees with expired licenses who wish to resume the active practice of nursing in Colorado are required to reinstate their expired license to active status. The same continued competency requirements apply upon submission of a reinstatement application. See Board Policy 10-03
If I am currently facing discipline from the Board may I inactivate my license in lieu of accepting Board action?
No. The nurse is not allowed to avoid disciplinary action by changing the status of his or her license to “inactive.”
If I am changing my primary legal residence to another compact state may I inactivate my Colorado LPN or RN license so that I can maintain licensure in Colorado?
No. The rules of the multi-state nurse licensure compact require licensees to maintain licensure in their state of primary legal residence. Upon applying for and receiving licensure in another compact state your Colorado license will be expired. You cannot maintain inactive licensure in Colorado as long as you legally reside in another compact state.
If I am changing my primary legal residence to another non-compact state may I inactivate my Colorado LPN or RN license so that I maintain licensure in Colorado?
Yes. If your primary legal residence is a non-compact license you may inactivate your Colorado LPN or RN license and it will be designated as a single-state inactive license. Reminder: you will be required to renew your inactive license every two years at a reduced renewal fee.
What happens to my LPN IV Authority, my Advanced Practice Registry, or my Prescriptive Authority if I choose to inactivate my license?
LPN IV Authority, Advanced Practice Authority, and Prescriptive Authority will be cancelled when an LPN or RN elects to inactivate their license. LPNs with inactive licenses are not permitted to practice IV therapy/venous blood sampling, and Advanced Practice Nurses with inactive RN licenses are not allowed to practice as an APN, or prescribe medications if the APN previously had Prescriptive Authority.
If I had Advanced Practice Registry and I inactivate my license may I still use the Advanced Practice titles?
No. Advanced Practice Nurses with inactive RN licenses may not use the titles: Advanced Practice Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
If I inactivate my license, and I had LPN IV Authority, Advanced Practice Registry, or Prescriptive Authority and I choose to reactivate my license, will my authorities/registry be automatically reactivated?
No. You must apply for each authority you wish to use and you must meet current requirements at the time of application for those authorities.
- Please Note: Advanced Practice Nurses who choose to inactivate their licenses will not be grandfathered on the Advanced Practice Registry at time of application for reactivation of authorities. All applicants for the Advanced Practice Registry must meet the current requirements at the time of application.
State Board of Nursing Endorses the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are essential to our modern healthcare delivery system. The Board supports the efforts of the APRN Consensus Work Group and the NCSBN APRN Advisory Committee in encouraging the nursing community to maintain a consistent, standardized, and quality model for APRN practice. At its meeting on October 22, 2008, the Colorado State Board of Nursing voted unanimously to endorse the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education.
The paper defines APRN practice and describes the APRN regulatory model and presents strategies for implementation. The model recommends independent APRN practice and licensure in the roles of: CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetists), CNM (certified nurse-midwives), CNS (clinical nurse specialists) and NP (certified nurse practitioners) with the appropriate population focus to include family/individual across the lifespan, adult-gerontology, pediatrics, neonatal, women’s health/gender-related or psych/mental health.
The Model can be found at:
https://www.ncsbn.org/7_23_08_Consensue_APRN_Final.pdf
- NEW: Application for Approval of NEW Nurse Aide Training Programs
- New Board Policy Regarding Nursing Student Externs
- Nurse Licensure Compact for Colorado
- Certified Nurse Aide with Medication Aide Authority - Announcement
Application for Approval of NEW Nurse Aide Training Programs
An application is available from the Education web page.
New Board Policy Regarding Nursing Student Externs
Important information for the employment of student nurses enrolled in programs to prepare for licensure as a professional nurse (RN): Many healthcare institutions employ nursing students in order to provide enhanced education and experience as they transition through school and into the professional licensed role of Registered Nurse. The Board of Nursing supports these experiences but recognizes that such roles should be clearly identified in order to avoid any misunderstanding by the student, the employer, and the public. Therefore, on April 25th, 2007, the Colorado Board of Nursing issued Policy 60-02: Nursing Student Externs.
Certified
Nurse Aide with Medication Aide Authority - Announcement
The Board of Nursing has selected Comira as the test vendor for
the Medication Aide Authority for Certified Nurse Aides. For more
information on this authority and to download an application, visit
the Medication Aide Authority
web page. Once requirements have been met and your application
has been approved, you will be eligible to take the exam though
Comira. For a listing of exam locations and dates, visit their website
at www.comiratesting.com
or call 800-947-4228.
- LPN IV Authority Applications
- Clarification Rule on Separate DEA Registrations for Practitioners
- Board Approves New and Updated Policies
- Board Approves Policy Regarding Continued Competency for Reinstatements
- Colorado Approves Creation of Nurse Compact
- Colorado Nurse Aide Examination Program - Important Changes in 2006
- LPN IV Rule Change
- Back to top
LPN
IV Authority Applications
Effective January 1, 2007, the
Board will no longer accept application forms older than the 9/2006
version. Any old forms received after January 1, 2007, will be returned
and applicants will be required to submit a new application on a
current form.
All current LPN IV Authority applications can be found on the IV Authority web page. Be sure to use the correct, and most current version, of the application.
Clarification
Rule on Separate DEA Registrations for Practitioners
The Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) issued a new Clarification Rule on Separate DEA Registrations
for Practitioners, published December 1, 2006. The rule amends the
registration regulations to make it clear that when an individual
practitioner practices in more than one state, he or she must obtain
a separate DEA registration for each state.
For further information, please visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/fed_regs/rules/2006/fr1201.htm.
Board
Approves New and Updated Policies
On October
25, 2006, the Board approved the following revised and new policies:
- Revised Policy 10-01: Clarification of "graduate" and "program"
- New Policy 20-13: Authorization to accept a surrender of a license or certificate after the initiation of an investigation or hearing
- New Policy 30-07: Voluntary withdrawal of Advanced Practice Registry, Prescriptive and IV Authorities
Visit the links to the policies listed above for more detailed information.
Board
Approves Policy Regarding Continued Competency for Reinstatements
On August
23, 2006, the Board approved changes to its policy regarding reinstatement
of lapsed or expired RN and LPN licenses (for purposes of licensure status, the terms "lapsed" and "expired" have the same meaning).
Effective immediately, any licensee or certificate holder who has allowed his or her license or certificate to expire for more than two years must prove competency to practice before being allowed to reinstate (refer to Policy 10-03).
Competency must be demonstrated by the means described in Policy 10-03, Continuing Competency Requirements for RN, LPN.
Colorado
Approves Creation of Nurse Compact
On May
22, 2006, the state legislature passed Senate
Bill 06-020, which allows the state Board of Nursing to enter
into a multi-state nurse licensure compact. The bill establishes
relationships between participating states in the areas of jurisdiction,
discipline, and information sharing. Governor Owens signed the bill
on June 2, 2006.
Since many program rules and processes must be created, the legislation allows for a one-year implementation period. We anticipate that Colorado's nurse licensure compact will be approved and in place by July 1, 2007. Please check back on this web page for updates over the coming year.
More information about the Nurse Licensure Compact is available on the website of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) at www.ncsbn.org/nlc/index.asp.
Colorado
Nurse Aide Examination Program - Important Changes in 2006
The Board
of Nursing has selected Headmaster LLP as the new test vendor -
beginning April 1, 2006 - to manage the Colorado Nurse Aide Competency
and Evaluation Program (NACEP). For further information, visit www.hdmaster.com
and select Colorado Licensing/Certification.
LPN
IV Rule Change - January 1, 2006 - Attention: LPNs, RNs, and Employers
As
of January 1, 2006, there is one level of IV authority: IV-2. Only LPNs who completed the 12-hour central line class by January
1, 2006 retained their IV authority and are now designated as "IV-2."
This change is reflected in the Automated
Licensure Information System Online (ALISON) and will be reflected
in the 2006 LPN Renewals.
LPNs who did not complete the additional 12-hour class no longer hold IV authority. They can contact Board-approved IV instructors to challenge the peripheral part of the 60-hour IV class and must complete the central line portion. LPNs seeking licensure by endorsement with an IV therapy authority will also be required to show evidence of instruction on central line IV management.
- Additional Clinical Experience Requirements
- Graduate Permits Discontinued
- National Council Website
- New NCLEX Examination Test Service
- The Colorado Board of Nursing: What it Can Do and What it Cannot Do
- Back to top
Additional
Clinical Experience Requirements
The
Colorado Board of Nursing has determined that students at non-campus
based programs that do not offer clinical experiences concurrent
with theory experiences, and who enroll on or after January 1, 2006,
will be required to complete an additional clinical experience.
This experience will be necessary before a graduate will be eligible
to sit for the RN licensing exam in that state. Currently enrolled
students and those who enroll prior to January 1, 2006, will not
be required to complete the additional clinical experience provided
they maintain their enrolled status.
Students who are licensed practical nurses completing a non-traditional RN program will be required to obtain 350 clinical hours prior to testing; students who are not licensed practical nurses will be required to obtain 750 clinical hours prior to testing taking the RN NCLEX exam. Students who are in the PN program will need to take 400 clinical hours prior to taking the PN NCLEX exam.
Please note that you MUST be actually enrolled/accepted for admission in the college of your choice. Enrollment in a publishing company or other preparatory program will not be accepted as meeting the January 1, 2006 deadline.
Graduate
Permits Discontinued
Graduate
permits will not be issued after June 30, 2005. The Chapter
I Licensing rules have repealed the issuance of graduate permits
to newly graduated nurses, effective July 1, 2005. If an application
is received and date-stamped in the Division of Registrations on
or before June 30, 2005, a graduate permit will be issued if all
other licensing conditions have been met.
National
Council Websiite
All
nurses have an opportunity to access current information pertaining
to activities and issues of the National Council of State Boards
of Nursing (NCSBN) through the NCSBN website. The Internet address
is www.ncsbn.org. The National
Council’s website offers:
- NCLEX information, such as passing rates and computerized adaptive testing methodology
- Online publications, including news releases, Issues and Insight: Newsletter on Nurse Aides and Assistive Personnel
- Printable forms for publication orders and NCLEX item writer and reviewer applications
- Bulletins on current National Council happenings and more!
New
NCLEX Examination Test Service
Boards
of nursing selected National Computer Systems, Inc., (NCS) as the
new test service for the NCLEX examination beginning October 1,
2002. NCS, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a global
information services company providing testing and software services,
and systems for the collection, management and interpretation of
data. NCS was selected after thorough review and discussion of a
comprehensive proposal outlining every aspect of the NCLEX examination.
Contract activities, including the build-out of test centers, will
commence immediately.
NCS will provide the following benefits for test candidates and boards of nursing:
- online examination scheduling, registration, and appointment confirmation for all RN and LPN candidates
- NCS company-owned and staffed testing centers
- test development activities located in Chicago, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. headquarters
- expanded online access to examination data and reports for boards of nursing
- a shared information system that will provide boards of nursing with key performance indicators of NCLEX examination administration activities
The
Colorado Board Of Nursing:
What It Can Do and What it Cannot Do
The following is an overview of the Board’s roles and responsibilities.
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THE
COLORADO BOARD OF NURSING |
THE
COLORADO BOARD OF NURSING |
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The Board is a governmental regulatory body responsible for protecting the health and safety of the public from the unauthorized, unqualified, and improper application of services by individuals in the practice of nursing.
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The Board is not a membership organization for nurses. Such organizations, in addition to protecting the public, are responsible for protecting the profession of nursing and individual nurses. |
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The Board is responsible for enforcing the law regulating the practice of nursing (Nurse Practice Act). To find the Nurse Practice Act:
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The Board cannot independently change the Nurse Practice Act. Only the Colorado General Assembly (your state senators and representatives) can make changes. |
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The Board is responsible for adopting rules and regulations, which establish minimum legal standards for safe practice and clarify or explain parts of the Nurse Practice Act. |
The Board does not make or change regulations in secret. It is a public process that includes a public hearing and written and oral testimony by the public. |
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The Board regulates the scope of nursing practice as defined in the Nurse Practice Act of all registered and practical nurses, psychiatric technicians, and certified nurse aides. |
The Board does not regulate conditions of employment, such as hiring and firing, "floating", shift assignment, discipline imposed by an employer, staffing, or billing issues. |
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The Board may take disciplinary action against a nurse’s license or a certified nurse aide’s certificate in response to violations of the Nurse Practice Act, Psychiatric Technician Act or Nurse Aide Practice Act. |
The Board does not take any disciplinary action without an investigation of all facts involved in the case. Nurses charged by the Board are entitled to a hearing. Nurses may hire an attorney to represent them. |
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The Board regulates the practice of individual licensed nurses in all practice settings. |
The Board does not regulate hospitals, nursing homes, home care organizations, nor any other health care facility, which may employ licensed nurses. |
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The Board regulates the delegation of nursing tasks by registered nurses. |
The Board does not regulate RN to BSN or graduate nursing education programs. |
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The Board regulates nursing education programs that lead to initial RN or LPN licensure, LPT licensure, and nurse aide education programs. |
The Board does not "certify" individual nurses for generalist and advance practice certification. For information regarding certification offerings contact your specialty nursing organization. |
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The Board no longer requires continuing education for renewal of licenses. |
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The Board has no jurisdiction over matters concerning:
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- Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
- The Board Needs You!
- Systems Liability Versus Individual Accountability
- The Five Rights of Medication Administration
- Diversion Resource Manual
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing Introduces Online Public Access to NURSYS
- Mandatory Disclosure of U.S. Social Security Numbers
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