1. (a) A registered nurse who has completed an advanced educational program as required by §221.3 of this chapter (relating to Education) and registered for a board approved national certification examination following completion of the program may be issued a provisional authorization to practice as a Graduate Advanced Practice Nurse pending notification of the results of the certification examination. An applicant may be eligible for provisional authorization only one time per authorized role. The applicant must apply for provisional authorization within six months of program completion.
2. (b) The applicant shall request the respective certifying body to notify the board of the applicant's certification examination results.

3. (c) Provisional authorization to practice as a graduate advanced practice nurse shall expire with the first occurrence of any of the following:

   1. (1) One year from the date of completion of the advanced educational program,
   2. (2) When the applicant receives full authorization to practice as an advanced practice nurse, or
   3. (3) When the applicant receives notice from the national certifying body that he/she has failed the national certification examination.

4. (d) Failure to pass the certification examination on the first attempt will immediately render the applicant ineligible to practice in the advanced practice role or utilize advanced practice titles. The provisional authorization to practice is rescinded and the application for full authorization to practice is denied.

   1. (1) The applicant must immediately notify the board of the examination results and return the original provisional authorization to practice document to the board's office accompanied by a photocopy of the examination results.
   2. (2) The applicant who fails to pass the certification examination on the first attempt may continue to test until he/she achieves national certification in the advanced role and specialty.

   3. (3) An applicant who fails to pass the certification examination may continue to practice as a registered nurse.

      1. (A) The applicant may not:

         1. (i) Practice as an advanced practice nurse,
         2. (ii) Claim to be an advanced practice nurse or hold himself/herself out to be an advanced practice nurse, or
         3. (iii) Use a title or any other designation tending to imply that the person is authorized as an advanced practice nurse.

      2. (B) The applicant may utilize his/her advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities if an advanced practice nurse authorized to practice in the same role and an appropriate specialty or a physician in the specialty area:

         1. (i) Agrees to continuously monitor all aspects of the applicant's practice that are beyond the scope of practice of a registered nurse,
         2. (ii) Assumes complete responsibility for all aspects of the care and services provided by the applicant that are beyond the scope of practice of the registered nurse,
         3. (iii) Co-signs all documentation, and
         4. (iv) Continuously remains on site with the applicant and is physically present or immediately available at all times.
   4. (4) When the applicant obtains national certification in the advanced role and specialty, he/she may be eligible to reapply for authorization to practice as an advanced practice nurse. The applicant must meet all requirements for full authorization to practice as an advanced practice nurse as specified in §221.4 of this chapter at the time he/she reapplies.

Source Note:The provisions of this §221.5 adopted to be effective February 25, 2001, 26 TexReg 1509; amended to be effective February 20, 2003, 28 TexReg 1383.