(a) The board shall do the following:

1. (1) Adopt under IC 4-22-2 rules necessary to enable it to carry into effect this chapter.
2. (2) Prescribe standards and approve curricula for nursing education programs preparing persons for licensure under this chapter.
3. (3) Provide for surveys of such programs at such times as it considers necessary.
4. (4) Accredit such programs as meet the requirements of this chapter and of the board.
5. (5) Deny or withdraw accreditation from nursing education programs for failure to meet prescribed curricula or other standards.
6. (6) Examine, license, and renew the license of qualified applicants.
7. (7) Issue subpoenas, compel the attendance of witnesses, and administer oaths to persons giving testimony at hearings.
8. (8) Cause the prosecution of all persons violating this chapter and have power to incur necessary expenses for these prosecutions.

9. (9) Adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 that do the following:

   1. (A) Prescribe standards for the competent practice of registered, practical, and advanced practice registered nursing.
   2. (B) Establish with the approval of the medical licensing board created by IC 25-22.5-2-1 requirements that advanced practice registered nurses must meet to be granted authority to prescribe legend drugs and to retain that authority.
   3. (C) Establish, with the approval of the medical licensing board created by IC 25-22.5-2-1 , requirements for the renewal of a practice agreement under section 19.4 of this chapter, which shall expire on October 31 in each odd-numbered year.
10. (10) Keep a record of all its proceedings.
11. (11) Collect and distribute annually demographic information on the number and type of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses employed in Indiana.
12. (12) Adopt rules and administer the interstate nurse licensure compact under IC 25-42 .
13. (13) Adopt or amend rules to implement the nursing licensure by endorsement available for foreign nursing school graduates under sections 11 and 12 of this chapter.

(b) The board may do the following:

1. (1) Create ad hoc subcommittees representing the various nursing specialties and interests of the profession of nursing. Persons appointed to a subcommittee serve for terms as determined by the board.

2. (2) Utilize the appropriate subcommittees so as to assist the board with its responsibilities. The assistance provided by the subcommittees may include the following:

   1. (A) Recommendation of rules necessary to carry out the duties of the board.
   2. (B) Recommendations concerning educational programs and requirements.
   3. (C) Recommendations regarding examinations and licensure of applicants.
3. (3) Appoint nurses to serve on each of the ad hoc subcommittees.

(c) Nurses appointed under subsection (b) must:

1. (1) be committed to advancing and safeguarding the nursing profession as a whole; and

2. (2) represent nurses who practice in the field directly affected by a subcommittee's actions.

   Formerly: Acts 1949, c.159, s.7; Acts 1971, P.L.376, SEC.6. As amended by Acts 1977, P.L.172, SEC.29; Acts 1979, P.L.17, SEC.46; Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.161; P.L.169-1985, SEC.70; P.L.149-1987, SEC.57; P.L.185-1993, SEC.5; P.L.127-1994, SEC.1; P.L.181-2002, SEC.5; P.L.158-2003, SEC.6; P.L.1-2007, SEC.172; P.L.134-2008, SEC.28; P.L.138-2014, SEC.9; P.L.129-2018, SEC.29; P.L.135-2019, SEC.1; P.L.69-2022, SEC.3.