1. (a) A registered nurse who elects to change from active licensure status to inactive status must submit a written request to the board prior to the expiration of his/her license.

2. (b) A registered nurse on inactive status, who is 65 or older, and requests to use the title "Registered Nurse, Retired" or "R.N., Retired" will submit the following:

   1. (1) a written request to use the title; and
   2. (2) the required fee.
3. (c) An individual who is permitted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4526b, to use the title "Registered Nurse, Retired" or "R.N., Retired," may not use that title to work as a professional registered nurse for compensation.
4. (d) A registered nurse who has not practiced professional nursing and whose license has been in an inactive status for less than four years may reactivate the license by completing the application form, paying the required reactivation fee and the current licensure fee, and submitting verification of completion of 20 hours of continuing education in compliance with §217.15 of this title (relating to Continuing Education), beginning September 1993.

5. (e) A registered nurse who has not practiced professional nursing in Texas and whose license has been in an inactive status for more than four years will submit the following:

   1. (1) an application for licensure form;
   2. (2) verification of employment as a registered nurse in another jurisdiction; or
   3. (3) verification of completion of a refresher course, extensive orientation to the practice of professional nursing, or academic course which meets the board's requirements and was completed within the last year;
   4. (4) evidence of completion of 20 contact hours of CE in compliance with §217.15 of this title (relating to Continuing Education);
   5. (5) a current passport type photo; and
   6. (6) the required reactivation fee plus the current licensure fee.

6. (f) A registered nurse who has not practiced professional nursing in Texas or another jurisdiction within the last four years and has not participated in a refresher course within the last year must submit:

   1. (1) an application for temporary permit limited to completion of a refresher course, extensive orientation to the practice of professional nursing, or academic course; and
   2. (2) the required fee.
7. (g) Upon completion of the refresher course, extensive orientation to the practice of professional nursing, or academic course which meets the board's requirements, the nurse shall then comply with §217.8(e) of this section (relating to Inactive Status).

Source Note:The provisions of this §217.8 adopted to be effective October 21, 1981, 6 TexReg 3690; amended to be effective March 2, 1992, 17 TexReg 1384; amended to be effective October 18, 1993, 18 TexReg 6838; amended to be effective October 12, 1994, 19 TexReg 7792.