1. (a) Interim approval is a time-limited permit to practice nursing in a specific advanced practice role and population-focus area.

2. (b) Interim approval may be granted to eligible applicants. Interim approval permits the advanced practice registered nurse applicant to practice without prescriptive authority while the application is reviewed.

   1. (1) The advanced practice registered nurse applicant who meets all requirements and applies for interim approval must complete documents provided by the board attesting that:

      1. (A) He/She meets all requirements for full licensure in an advanced practice registered nurse role and population-focus area in the state of Texas; and,
      2. (B) Has completed and submitted the appropriate documents to the advanced practice nursing educational program or designated organization for completion.

   2. (2) An applicant for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse who is a new graduate of an advanced practice registered nursing education program may be eligible for interim approval.

      1. (A) The graduate advanced practice registered nurse applicant must apply for interim approval within six months of the program completion date.
      2. (B) The graduate advanced practice registered nurse applicant must provide verification that he/she is approved by a national certifying body to sit for the national certification examination recognized by the Board for the advanced practice role and population focus area that is congruent with his/her advanced practice nursing educational preparation.
      3. (C) The graduate advanced practice registered nurse shall notify the board of the official national certification examination results.

      4. (D) Interim approval to practice as a graduate advanced practice registered nurse shall expire immediately when the applicant receives notice from the national certifying body that he/she has failed the national certification examination.

         1. (i) Failure to pass the certification examination on the first attempt immediately renders the applicant ineligible to practice in the advanced practice role or utilize that advanced practice registered nurse title or titles that imply the bearer is an advanced practice registered nurse.
         2. (ii) The applicant must immediately notify the board of the examination results and return the original interim approval document to the board's office accompanied by a photocopy of the examination results. Upon notification of the examination failure, the board will issue written notification that the interim approval to practice is rescinded and the application for advanced practice registered nurse licensure is denied.
         3. (iii) An applicant who fails to pass the certification examination may continue to practice as a registered nurse.
   3. (3) Interim approval may be granted for a period of up to 120 days. An eligible applicant may be granted interim approval one time only per role and population-focus area. Extensions or renewals of the interim approval period shall not be granted.
   4. (4) The Board grants interim approval to eligible advanced practice registered nurse applicants.
3. (c) An advanced practice registered nurse applicant who submits a request for waiver from the requirements for licensure set forth in this chapter shall not be eligible for interim approval unless otherwise indicated in this chapter.
4. (d) If an advanced practice registered nurse applicant is deemed ineligible for licensure, the interim approval will be rescinded immediately, effective on the date the notice is sent by mail. The applicant must cease practicing as an advanced practice registered nurse and may no longer use any titles that imply to the public that he/she is an advanced practice registered nurse.

Source Note:The provisions of this §221.6 adopted to be effective February 25, 2001, 26 TexReg 1509; amended to be effective November 23, 2008, 33 TexReg 9237.