1. (a) A registered nurse who elects to change from active licensure status to inactive status must:

   1. (1) submit a written request to the board prior to the expiration of his/her license;
   2. (2) designate "inactive" on the renewal form if at the time of renewal.

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

   1. (1) a written request to use the title; and
   2. (2) the required, non-refundable fee.
3. (c) An individual who is permitted under Article 4526b to use the title "Registered Nurse, Retired" or "R.N., Retired", may not use that title to practice 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 reactivation application form, paying the required reactivation fee and the current licensure fee which are non-refundable, and submitting verification of completion of 20 contact hours of continuing education in compliance with Chapter 216 of this title (relating to Continuing Education).

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 must submit:

   1. (1) a reactivation application form;
   2. (2) verification of completion of a refresher course, extensive orientation to the practice of professional nursing or program of study which meets the board's requirements and was completed within the last year;
   3. (3) evidence of completion of 20 contact hours of CE in compliance with Chapter 216 (relating to Continuing Education);
   4. (4) the required reactivation fee plus the current licensure fee, which are non-refundable.

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 a six month temporary permit to be used only for completion of a refresher course, extensive orientation to the practice of professional nursing or program of study which meets the board's requirements; and
   2. (2) the required six-month temporary permit fee which is non-refundable.
7. (g) A registered nurse completing refresher course requirements in another jurisdiction is exempt from requirements of subsection (f)(1) and (2) of this section.
8. (h) Upon completion of the refresher course, extensive orientation to the practice of professional nursing, or program of study which meets the board's requirements, the nurse shall then comply with subsection (e) of this section.

Source Note:The provisions of this §217.9 adopted to be effective September 1, 1999, 24 TexReg 4001.