Notice of Proposed Rule

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Nursing
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64B9-3.014: Criteria for Credentialing Agencies
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose and effect is to revise the rule title and to set forth the minimum education requirements applicable to applicants from non-Board approved nursing programs.
SUMMARY: The minimum education requirements applicable to applicants from non-Board approved nursing programs are set forth.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: The Board has determined that the proposed rule will not have an impact on small business. No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 464.006 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.013(1), 464.008 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Rick Garcia, Executive Director, Board of Nursing, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C07, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3259

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B9-3.014 Graduates From Foreign or Non-NCSBN Jurisdictions Criteria for Credentialing Agencies.

In order to be accepted as documentation of the required education, a report must be submitted from a credentialing agency to the Board of Nursing that meets the following criteria:

(1) Graduates of foreign nursing programs or nursing programs in jurisdictions which are not members of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) must submit an evaluation from a credentialing agency approved by the Board.

(2) Approved credentialing agencies must meet the following criteria:

(a)(1) The credentialing agency must be a member of a national credentialing organization that sets performance standards for the industry, and must adhere to those standards.

(b)(2) The credentialing agency’s standards must be monitored by an external committee of credentialing experts and nursing educators.

(c)(3) The credentialing agency must demonstrate the ability to accurately analyze academic and licensure credentials in terms of U.S. comparability, with course-by-course analysis for nursing academic records.

(d)(4) The credentialing agency must manage the translation of original documents into English.

(e)(5) The credentialing agency will inform the Board of Nursing in the event applicant documents are found to be fraudulent.

(f)(6) The credentialing agency must have been in the business of evaluating nursing education for a minimum of 10 years.

(3)(7) Credentials evaluation report.

(a) through (e) No change.

(4) In order for the applicant to meet the educational requirements of Section 464.008, F.S., the credentials report and transcripts must include all courses set forth in Rules 64B9-2.006 and 64B9-2.015, F.A.C., and must demonstrate, at a minimum, the following hours of theoretical and clinical instruction:

(a) Registered nursing programs:

1. 144 theory hours and 341 clinical hours in medical nursing;

2. 91 theory hours and 294 clinical hours clinical hours in surgical nursing;

3. 32 theory hours and 87 clinical hours in obstetrical nursing;

4. 32 theory hours and 84 clinical hours in pediatric nursing;

5. 30 theory hours and 51 clinical hours in psychiatric/mental health nursing; and

6. 16 theory hours and 18 clinical hours in community/public health nursing.

(b) Practical nursing programs:

1. 131 theory hours and 216 clinical hours in medical nursing;

2. 82 theory hours and 186 clinical hours in surgical nursing;

3. 34 theory hours and 46 hours in obstetrics nursing; and

4. 30 theory hours and 42 clinical hours in pediatrics nursing.

Rulemaking Specific Authority 464.006 FS. Law Implemented 456.013(1), 464.008 FS. History–New 4-19-00, Amended 10-22-07,________.


NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Nursing
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Nursing
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: February 6, 2009
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: February 27, 2009