Section 21.155. Licensure by endorsement

(a) Licensure as a practical nurse in this Commonwealth by endorsement of the original licensing board is granted to a graduate of an approved practical nursing program who is licensed in another jurisdiction by an examination considered by the Board to be equivalent to the examination required for licensure in this Commonwealth.

(b) Applicants for licensure in this Commonwealth by endorsement shall meet the requirements regarding age, good moral character, preliminary education and practical nursing education as outlined in the act.

(c) An applicant for licensure by endorsement whose license in the other jurisdiction is not current for 5 years or longer shall, prior to receiving a license in this Commonwealth, satisfy the requirements of § 21.156a(1) or (2) (relating to continued competency).

(d) A practical nurse who has graduated from a practical nursing program in a country or territory outside of the United States or Canada and who is licensed by completing the National Council Licensure Examination in another jurisdiction of the United States or Canada may be granted licensure in this Commonwealth without examination if the applicant’s program of study is deemed equivalent to the program of study required in this Commonwealth at the time the program was completed. The Board will base equivalency upon an evaluation performed by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) as to the foreign nursing program.

The provisions of this § 21.155 amended July 1, 1983, effective July 2, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 2061; amended June 18, 1993, effective June 19, 1993, 23 Pa.B. 2827; amended November 28, 1997, effective November 29, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 6210. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (214447).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 21.155 amended under section 506 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 186); and section 8 of the Practical Nurse Law (63 P. S. § 658).

Cross References

This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 21.149 (relating to temporary practice permits).