(a) Any person who applies to the board for a license to practice as a registered nurse must:

1. (1) not have:

   1. (A) been convicted of a crime that has a direct bearing on the person's ability to practice competently; or
   2. (B) committed an act that would constitute a ground for a disciplinary sanction under IC 25-1-9 ;

2. (2) have completed:

   1. (A) the prescribed curriculum and met the graduation requirements of a state accredited program of registered nursing that only accepts students who have a high school diploma or its equivalent as determined by the board; or
   2. (B) the prescribed curriculum and graduation requirements of a nursing education program in a foreign country that is substantially equivalent to a board approved program as determined by the board. The board may by rule adopted under IC 4-22-2 require an applicant under this subsection to successfully complete an examination approved by the board to measure the applicant's qualifications and background in the practice of nursing and proficiency in the English language; and

3. (3) be physically and mentally capable of and professionally competent to safely engage in the practice of nursing as determined by the board.

   The board may not require a person to have a baccalaureate degree in nursing as a prerequisite for licensure. An applicant meets the English proficiency requirement under subdivision (2) if the applicant passes an English course as certified in the transcript from the board's approved nursing education program or submits proof of passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) that was taken in only the English language.

(d) A registered nurse applicant must:

1. (1) practice under the supervision of a registered nurse; and
2. (2) use the abbreviation "RNG" after the registered nurse graduate's name.

(f) The board may issue by endorsement a license to practice as a registered nurse to an applicant who:

1. (1) has completed the English version of the:

   1. (A) Canadian Nurse Association Testing Service Examination (CNAT); or
   2. (B) Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE);
2. (2) achieved the passing score required on the examination at the time the examination was taken;
3. (3) is currently licensed in a Canadian province or in another state; and
4. (4) meets the other requirements under this section.

(g) The board shall issue by endorsement or examination a license to practice as a registered nurse to an applicant who:

1. (1) is a graduate of a foreign nursing school;
2. (2) has successfully passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX);

3. (3) provides:

   1. (A) documentation that the applicant has:

      1. (i) taken an examination prepared by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools International, Inc. (CGFNS); and
      2. (ii) achieved the passing score required on the examination at the time the examination was taken;
   2. (B) a satisfactory Credentials Evaluation Service Professional Report issued by CGFNS;
   3. (C) a satisfactory VisaScreen Certificate verification letter issued by CGFNS; or
   4. (D) a satisfactory credential verification assessment from an organization that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or any other organization approved by the board; and
4. (4) meets the other requirements of this section.

(h) Each applicant for examination and registration to practice as a registered nurse shall pay:

1. (1) a fee set by the board; and

2. (2) if the applicant is applying for a multistate license (as defined in IC 25-42-1-11 ) under IC 25-42 (Nurse Licensure Compact), a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) in addition to the fee under subdivision (1);

   a part of which must be used for the rehabilitation of impaired registered nurses and impaired licensed practical nurses. Payment of the fee or fees shall be made by the applicant prior to the date of examination.

(i) The lesser of the following amounts from fees collected under subsection (h) shall be deposited in the impaired nurses account of the state general fund established by section 34 of this chapter:

1. (1) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the license application fee per license applied for under this section.
2. (2) The cost per license to operate the impaired nurses program, as determined by the Indiana professional licensing agency.

(j) Any person who holds a license to practice as a registered nurse in Indiana or under IC 25-42 may use the title "Registered Nurse" and the abbreviation "R.N.". No other person shall practice or advertise as or assume the title of registered nurse or use the abbreviation of "R.N." or any other words, letters, signs, or figures to indicate that the person using same is a registered nurse.

Formerly: Acts 1949, c.159, s.11; Acts 1971, P.L.376, SEC.10; Acts 1974, P.L.119, SEC.3; Acts 1975, P.L.272, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.163; Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.58; P.L.169-1985, SEC.72; P.L.149-1987, SEC.60; P.L.152-1988, SEC.17; P.L.48-1991, SEC.39; P.L.33-1993, SEC.30; P.L.181-1996, SEC.1; P.L.236-1999, SEC.1; P.L.181-2002, SEC.6; P.L.1-2007, SEC.173; P.L.134-2008, SEC.29; P.L.135-2019, SEC.2; P.L.156-2020, SEC.103; P.L.69-2022, SEC.5; P.L.148-2023, SEC.14; P.L.17-2024, SEC.17.