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2023 SESSION

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VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER An Act to amend and reenact § 54.1-3017 of the Code of Virginia, relating to graduates of foreign nursing education programs; licensure requirements. [H 2211] Approved

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 54.1-3017 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 54.1-3017. Qualifications of applicant for registered nurse's license; examination; graduates of foreign nursing education programs.

A. An applicant for a license to practice professional nursing shall submit evidence satisfactory to the Board that such applicant:

1. Has completed an approved four-year high school course of study or the equivalent as determined by the appropriate educational agency;

2. Has received a diploma or degree from an approved professional nursing education program;

3. Has passed a written examination as required by the Board; and

4. Has committed no acts which are grounds for disciplinary action as set forth in this chapter.

B. The Board shall consider and may accept relevant practical experience and didactic and clinical components of education and training completed by an applicant for licensure as a registered nurse during his service as a member of any branch of the armed forces of the United States as evidence of the satisfaction of the educational requirements for licensure.

C. An applicant who graduated from a nursing education program in a foreign country may shall be required to pass the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools Qualifying Examination prior to admission to the examination for licensure in the Commonwealth:

1. Have (i) graduated or be eligible to graduate from a licensing board-approved RN or LPN/VN prelicensure education program or (ii) graduated from a foreign RN or LPN/VN prelicensure education program that has been approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country and has been verified by an independent credentials review agency recognized by the Board to be comparable to a U.S. licensing board-approved RN or LPN/VN prelicensure education program; and

2. Have, if a graduate of a foreign RN or LPN/VN prelicensure education program  not taught in English or if English is not the individual's native language, successfully passed an English proficiency examination that includes reading, speaking, writing, and listening components.

The Board shall identify multiple approved entities to provide language examinations and multiple approved entities to evaluate and verify credentials earned from a nursing education program in a foreign country. The Board shall make the list of approved entities publicly available on its website.