A registered professional nurse who has completed advanced formal education as required by §221.3 of this title (relating to Education) and registered for the first available board approved national certification examination within two years of graduation from the program may be issued a temporary authorization to practice as a Graduate Advanced Practice Nurse pending notification of the results of the certification examination.

1. (1) The applicant for advanced practice nurse recognition shall be given no more than three opportunities in the first two years after graduation to pass the certification examination.
2. (2) Failure to pass the examination after three attempts or failure to pass the exam within two years of eligibility will render the applicant ineligible to practice in the advanced practice role. In this case, the applicant must immediately return the authorization to practice document to the board's office.
3. (3) A candidate who fails to pass the examination after three attempts or fails to pass the exam within two years following graduation may reapply for authorization to practice as an advanced practice nurse after successfully completing an accredited advanced practice program of study that meets the requirements as outlined in guidelines prepared by the board and §221.3 of this title.

Source Note:The provisions of this §221.7 adopted to be effective April 20, 2000, 25 TexReg 3251.