1. A. An applicant for a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse shall submit to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing certified evidence that the applicant:

   1. 1. Has received a high school diploma or a graduate equivalency degree;
   2. 2. Has successfully completed the prescribed curricula in a state-approved program of practical nursing and holds or is entitled to hold a diploma or certificate therefrom, or equivalent courses in a state-approved program of nursing;
   3. 3. Has never been convicted in this state, the United States or another state of any felony, unless five (5) years have elapsed since the date of the criminal conviction or the termination of any probation or other requirements imposed on the applicant by the sentencing court, whichever shall last occur, or a presidential or gubernatorial pardon for the criminal offense has been received, provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not be effective until November 1, 2003;
   4. 4. Has submitted a criminal history records search conducted by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation that is not more than ninety (90) days old; and

   5. 5. Has met such other reasonable preliminary qualification requirements as the Board may prescribe.

      The applicant for a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse shall be required to pass a written examination in such subjects as the Board may require. Upon successfully passing such examination the Board shall issue to the applicant a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse. An applicant who fails such examination shall be subject to reexamination according to the rules of the Board. The passing criteria shall be established by the Board in its rules.

2. B. The Board may issue a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse without examination to any applicant who has been duly licensed or registered as a licensed practical nurse, or is entitled to perform similar services under a different title, according to the laws of another state, territory, the District of Columbia or a foreign country if such applicant meets the requirements for licensed practical nurses in the State of Oklahoma.
3. C. Any person holding a license to practice as a licensed attendant issued by the Board, which is valid on July 1, 1953, shall be deemed to be a licensed practical nurse under the provisions of this act.

4. D. Any person who holds a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse in this state shall have the right to use both the title "Licensed Practical Nurse" and the abbreviation "L.P.N." No other person shall assume such title or use such abbreviation or any other words, letters, signs, or figures to indicate that the person using the same is a licensed practical nurse.

   Any individual doing so shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, which shall be punishable, upon conviction, by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one (1) year or by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both such imprisonment and fine for each offense.

Laws 1953, HB 738, p. 267, § 6, emerg. eff. April 13, 1953; Amended by Laws 1981, SB 248, c. 314, § 4, emerg. eff. July 1, 1981; Amended by Laws 1991, HB 1760, c. 104, § 5, eff. September 1, 1991; Amended by Laws 2001, SB 377, c. 254, § 5, eff. November 1, 2001 (superseded document available); Amended by Laws 2003, SB 265, c. 190, § 3, eff. November 1, 2003 (superseded document available).