Kentucky Board of Nursing

1. Kentucky Board of Nursing APRN Licensure Application Process What you need to know to navigate through the licensure process. June 20, 2016 Curt Lowther APRN Licensure Coordinator 502-429-3329 Curtwand.Lowther@ky.gov

2. When To APply • Applicants may start applying 2 to 3 months before graduation. • If an applicant has a misdemeanor or felony on their record, we request they apply at least 90 days prior. This will allow for time to review their conviction(s).

3. What are the requirements for APRN LICENSURE? • Completed application – $165 • Official transcript • National Certification • State background check – AOC - $22 • Federal background check - • fingerprinting - $14.75 Paper application: • May request a paper application • Submit the request with a check or money order in the amount of $40 • KBN will then mail you the application. You must return with fee of $165

4. Where to go? • www.kbn.ky.gov • Applicants • Apply for a license • APRN Licensure • How to Apply for APRN Licensure only

5. what you will see … • KBN Website: • http://kbn.ky.gov • Applicants • Apply For a License • APRN Licensure • How to Apply for APRN Licensure Only

6. Choose applicable link … • Choose one of the following: • 2. I hold a current RN license in a compact state and am applying for my initial Kentucky APRN license. • 3. I hold a current Kentucky RN license and want to apply for my initial Kentucky APRN license.

7. When choosing link…. • I hold a current RN license in a compact state and am applying for my initial Kentucky APRN license. • Requirements: • APRN licensure application and fee, • Fingerprint card and fee, • Kentucky criminal history report, • Official transcript of post basic education, and • Proof of current national certification

8. When choosing link….con’t. I hold a current RN license in Kentucky and am applying for my initial Kentucky APRN license. Requirements: • APRN licensure application and fee, • Fingerprint card and fee, • Kentucky criminal history report, • Official transcript of post basic education, and • Proof of current national certification

9. Federal Background Check • Fingerprint cards can be requested through the KBN website by applicants • Fingerprints can be completed at: • Kentucky State Police Post • Louisville Metro Corrections (502-574-2191) • United Parcel Services (UPS) mailing office, or • Any local police station or sheriff’s office trained to do fingerprinting

10. Federal Background Check (conT) • Instruction sheets are provided with the fingerprint card • May do digital printing, but they are to be transferred onto fingerprint card. • Once complete, mail fingerprint card and fee of $14.75 made payable to Kentucky State Police to: • Kentucky State Police Records Branch 1266 Louisville Road Frankfort, KY 40601

11. Federal Background Check (con’T) • Kentucky State Police will send FBI reports to KBN within 2-4 weeks from the time card and fee were received. • Potential Results: • Fingerprint Card Unreadable • Non-Ident (Clear) • Ident (Possible Record to be Reviewed) Note: Fingerprint reports are valid for six months.

12. Federal Background Check (con’T) • If KBN receives an unreadable fingerprint (FP) card, KBN will mail a second FP card to the applicant to complete. • Applicant will complete and send back to KBN with no fee. KBN will attach it to the first card that was unreadable and send off to be processed. • If the second card comes back unreadable, KBN will send a “Name Search” directly to the FBI using the data the applicant put on the card.

13. Federal Background Check (conT) • When the second fingerprint card is sent to KSP, it can take an additional 2 to 4 weeks for processing. • If the second fingerprint card is unreadable as well and a name search is completed, it can take an additional 2 to 6 weeks for processing.

14. State Background Check – online • Must be obtained from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) • Fee is $22.00 • http://courts.ky.gov • Online requests are processed by AOC within 2 weeks KBN will receive an electronic copy of the report if you follow the instructions provided online Note: A criminal history report in every surname you've ever had is required. 

15. State Background Check - paper • Paper request forms are available: • Fee is $20.00 • May take 4-6 weeks for AOC to complete the request • Applicants must mail or fax a copy of the report to the KBN Note: State background checks are valid for six months.

16. Official Transcript • Must include the degree earned and the date the degree was posted • Must come to KBN directly from the program of nursing – mailed or emailed if school uses clearing house • Note: If applicant is in Post-Masters program, both the Master’s and Post-Masters transcripts are required.

17. National Certification • Official certification information must be received before an APRN license will be issued. “Pass” results are not acceptable for licensure. • Certification must be in same population focus as: • Noted on the application for licensure • Educational preparation

18. National Certification (con’t) • Can be: • Copy of national certification card • Copy of official notice of certification • Must include: • APRN name • Certification number • Expiration date NOTE: Applicant is responsible for submitting proof of certification to KBN. Letter of pass results is not proof of certification

19. additional Certification INFO • National certification must always be current to be licensed to practice as an APRN in Kentucky • KBN does not have a grace period • Practicing when certification has lapsed is a violation of KY Nursing Law • Disciplinary action may be taken NOTE: It is applicant/licensee’s responsibility to send KBN proof of recertification

20. where to send documentation • Proof of certification and paper applications may be: • Mailed to: 312 Whittington Parkway, Louisville, KY 40222 • Faxed to: 502-429-3336 • Emailed to:Ruby.King@ky.gov or Curtwand.Lowther@ky.gov NOTE: Faxed copies of online applications and/or transcripts are not accepted.

21. Application Status • Follow the status of the application through the licensure process. After an application has been reviewed the applicant will be able to view their application status 24/7 at http://kbn.ky.gov/appstatus/ • The full Social Security Number must be entered to access the site. Note: As each document is reviewed and received at KBN, the application status will be updated in real time.

22. It Takes Time… • Please allow up to 14 business days after any document is received at KBN to: • Update the application status • To issue an APRN license, if all other documents have been received.

23. Collaborative Agreements • CAPA-NS: APRN license must be issued before you can enter into the agreement • CAPA-CS: APRN must have been licensed in any state as an APRN for a minimum of one year and have current Kentucky APRN licensure before APRN can enter into the • CAPA-CS

24. Additional licensure info • If the applicant holds a current KY RN license, and an APRN license is issued between May 1 and October 31, the APRN license will expire October 31 of the following year. • The applicant will need to only renew the RN license by October 31. • Within 2 business days of renewing the RN license, KBN will update the APRN license expiration date to the following year. An KY APRN license cannot have an expiration date greater than the KY RN license

25. Renewal • If KBN records do not reflect current national certification, the licensee will not be able to renew. • Must earn 5 contact hours in pharmacology every year • Current national certification will meet the continuing competency requirement for renewal of the RN license (if licensee holds a KY RN & KY APRN license)

26. THANK YOU • You may email me at Curtwand.Lowther@ky.gov Curt Lowther APRN Licensure Coordinator 502-429-3329 Curtwand.Lowther@ky.gov