Question

1) In detail, define the distinct powers, roles, responsibilities, and composition of the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) as identified in ORC 4723. How does one become a member of the OBN and what is the process? What practice advisory groups report to the OBN and what are their roles?.

Answer 1

The board of nursing shall assume and exercise all the powers and perform all the duties conferred and imposed on it by this chapter.

The board shall consist of thirteen members who shall be citizens of the United States and residents of Ohio. Eight members shall be registered nurses, each of whom shall be a graduate of an approved program of nursing education that prepares persons for licensure as a registered nurse, shall hold a currently active license issued under this chapter to practice nursing as a registered nurse, and shall have been actively engaged in the practice of nursing as a registered nurse for the five years immediately preceding the member's initial appointment to the board. Of the eight members who are registered nurses, at least two shall hold a current, valid license issued under this chapter that authorizes the practice of nursing as an advanced practice registered nurse. Four members shall be licensed practical nurses, each of whom shall be a graduate of an approved program of nursing education that prepares persons for licensure as a practical nurse, shall hold a currently active license issued under this chapter to practice nursing as a licensed practical nurse, and shall have been actively engaged in the practice of nursing as a licensed practical nurse for the five years immediately preceding the member's initial appointment to the board. One member shall represent the interests of consumers of health care. Neither this member nor any person in the member's immediate family shall be a member of or associated with a health care provider or profession or shall have a financial interest in the delivery or financing of health care. Representation of nursing service and nursing education and of the various geographical areas of the state shall be considered in making appointments.

As the term of any member of the board expires, a successor shall be appointed who has the qualifications the vacancy requires. Terms of office shall be for four years, commencing on the first day of January and ending on the thirty-first day of December.

A current or former board member who has served not more than one full term or one full term and not more than thirty months of another term may be reappointed for one additional term.

Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. The term of a member shall expire if the member ceases to meet any requirement of this section for the member's position on the board. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of such term. Any member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

Nursing organizations of this state may each submit to the governor the names of not more than five nominees for each position to be filled on the board. From the names so submitted or from others, at the governor's discretion, the governor with the advice and consent of the senate shall make such appointments.

Any member of the board may be removed by the governor for neglect of any duty required by law or for incompetency or unprofessional or dishonorable conduct, after a hearing as provided in Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Seven members of the board including at least four registered nurses and at least one licensed practical nurse shall at all times constitute a quorum.

Each member of the board shall receive an amount fixed pursuant to division (J) of section 124.15 of the Revised Code for each day in attendance at board meetings and in discharge of official duties, and in addition thereto, necessary expense incurred in the performance of such duties.

The board shall elect one of its nurse members as president and one as vice-president. The board shall elect one of its registered nurse members to serve as the supervising member for disciplinary matters.

The board may establish advisory groups to serve in consultation with the board or the executive director. Each advisory group shall be given a specific charge in writing and shall report to the board. Members of advisory groups shall serve without compensation but shall receive their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.

POWERS AND DUTIES

(A) The board of nursing shall:

(1) Administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter, including the taking of disciplinary action for violations of section 4723.28 of the Revised Code, any other provisions of this chapter, or rules adopted under this chapter;

(2) Develop criteria that an applicant must meet to be eligible to sit for the examination for licensure to practice as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse;

(3) Issue and renew nursing licenses, dialysis technician certificates, and community health worker certificates, as provided in this chapter;

(4) Define the minimum educational standards for the schools and programs of registered nursing and practical nursing in this state;

(5) Survey, inspect, and grant full approval to prelicensure nursing education programs in this state that meet the standards established by rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code. Prelicensure nursing education programs include, but are not limited to, diploma, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, master's degree, and doctor of nursing programs leading to initial licensure to practice nursing as a registered nurse and practical nurse programs leading to initial licensure to practice nursing as a licensed practical nurse.

(6) Grant conditional approval, by a vote of a quorum of the board, to a new prelicensure nursing education program or a program that is being reestablished after having ceased to operate, if the program meets and maintains the minimum standards of the board established by rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code. If the board does not grant conditional approval, it shall hold an adjudication under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to consider conditional approval of the program. If the board grants conditional approval, at the first meeting following completion of the survey process required by division (A)(5) of this section, the board shall determine whether to grant full approval to the program. If the board does not grant full approval or if it appears that the program has failed to meet and maintain standards established by rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code, the board shall hold an adjudication under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to consider the program. Based on results of the adjudication, the board may continue or withdraw conditional approval, or grant full approval.

(7) Place on provisional approval, for a period of time specified by the board, a prelicensure nursing education program that has ceased to meet and maintain the minimum standards of the board established by rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code. Prior to or at the end of the period, the board shall reconsider whether the program meets the standards and shall grant full approval if it does. If it does not, the board may withdraw approval, pursuant to an adjudication under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(8) Approve continuing education programs and courses under standards established in rules adopted under sections 4723.07, 4723.69, 4723.79, and 4723.88 of the Revised Code;

(9) Establish a substance use disorder monitoring program in accordance with section 4723.35 of the Revised Code;

(10) Establish the practice intervention and improvement program in accordance with section 4723.282 of the Revised Code;

(11) Grant approval to the course of study in advanced pharmacology and related topics described in section 4723.482 of the Revised Code;

(12) Make an annual edition of the exclusionary formulary established in rules adopted under section 4723.50 of the Revised Code available to the public by electronic means and, as soon as possible after any revision of the formulary becomes effective, make the revision available to the public by electronic means;

(13) Approve under section 4723.46 of the Revised Code national certifying organizations for examination and licensure of advanced practice registered nurses, which may include separate organizations for each nursing specialty;

(14) Provide guidance and make recommendations to the general assembly, the governor, state agencies, and the federal government with respect to the regulation of the practice of nursing and the enforcement of this chapter;

(15) Make an annual report to the governor, which shall be open for public inspection;

(16) Maintain and have open for public inspection the following records:

(a) A record of all its meetings and proceedings;

(b) A record of all applicants for, and holders of, licenses and certificates issued by the board under this chapter or in accordance with rules adopted under this chapter. The record shall be maintained in a format determined by the board.

(c) A list of education and training programs approved by the board.

(17) Deny conditional approval to a new prelicensure nursing education program or a program that is being reestablished after having ceased to operate if the program or a person acting on behalf of the program submits or causes to be submitted to the board false, misleading, or deceptive statements, information, or documentation in the process of applying for approval of the program. If the board proposes to deny approval of the program, it shall do so pursuant to an adjudication conducted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(B) The board may fulfill the requirement of division (A)(8) of this section by authorizing persons who meet the standards established in rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code to approve continuing education programs and courses. Persons so authorized shall approve continuing education programs and courses in accordance with standards established in rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code.

Persons seeking authorization to approve continuing education programs and courses shall apply to the board and pay the appropriate fee established under section 4723.08 of the Revised Code. Authorizations to approve continuing education programs and courses shall expire and may be renewed according to the schedule established in rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code.

In addition to approving continuing education programs under division (A)(8) of this section, the board may sponsor continuing education activities that are directly related to the statutes and rules the board enforces.

(C)

(1) The board may deny conditional approval to a new prelicensure nursing education program or program that is being reestablished after having ceased to operate if the program is controlled by a person who controls or has controlled a program that had its approval withdrawn, revoked, suspended, or restricted by the board or a board of another jurisdiction that is a member of the national council of state boards of nursing. If the board proposes to deny approval, it shall do so pursuant to an adjudication conducted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(2) As used in this division, "control" means any of the following:

(a) Holding fifty per cent or more of the outstanding voting securities or membership interest of a prelicensure nursing education program;

(b) In the case of an unincorporated prelicensure nursing education program, having the right to fifty per cent or more of the program's profits or in the event of a dissolution, fifty per cent or more of the program's assets;

(c) In the case of a prelicensure nursing education program that is a for-profit or not-for-profit corporation, having the contractual authority presently to designate fifty per cent or more of its directors;

(d) In the case of a prelicensure nursing education program that is a trust, having the contractual authority presently to designate fifty per cent or more of its trustees;

(e) Having the authority to direct the management, policies, or investments of a prelicensure nursing education program.

(D)

(1) When an action taken by the board under division (A)(6), (7), or (17) or (C)(1) of this section is required to be taken pursuant to an adjudication conducted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the board may, in lieu of an adjudication hearing, enter into a consent agreement to resolve the matter. A consent agreement, when ratified by a vote of a quorum of the board, constitutes the findings and order of the board with respect to the matter addressed in the agreement. If the board refuses to ratify a consent agreement, the admissions and findings contained in the agreement are of no effect.

(2) In any instance in which the board is required under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to give notice to a person seeking approval of a prelicensure nursing education program of an opportunity for a hearing and the person does not make a timely request for a hearing in accordance with section 119.07 of the Revised Code, the board is not required to hold a hearing, but may adopt, by a vote of a quorum, a final order that contains the board's findings.

(3) When the board denies or withdraws approval of a prelicensure nursing education program, the board may specify that its action is permanent. A program subject to a permanent action taken by the board is forever ineligible for approval and the board shall not accept an application for the program's reinstatement or approval.

(1) An application for licensure by examination to practice as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse shall be submitted to the board of nursing in the form prescribed by rules of the board. The application shall include all of the following:

(a) Evidence that the applicant has met the educational requirements described in division (C) of this section;

(b) Any other information required by rules of the board;

(c) The application fee required by section 4723.08 of the Revised Code.

(2) The board shall grant a license to practice nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse if the conditions of divisions (A)(2)(a) to (d) have been met:

(a) The applicant passes the examination accepted by the board under section 4723.10 of the Revised Code.

(b) In the case of an applicant who entered a prelicensure nursing education program on or after June 1, 2003, the results of a criminal records check conducted in accordance with section 4723.091 of the Revised Code demonstrate that the applicant is not ineligible for licensure as specified in section 4723.092 of the Revised Code.

(c) The board determines that the applicant has not committed any act that is grounds for disciplinary action under section 3123.47 or 4723.28 of the Revised Code or determines that an applicant who has committed any act that is grounds for disciplinary action under either section has made restitution or has been rehabilitated, or both.

(d) The applicant is not required to register under Chapter 2950. of the Revised Code or a substantially similar law of another state, the United States, or another country.

(3) The board is not required to afford an adjudication to an individual to whom it has refused to grant a license because of that individual's failure to pass the examination.

(B)

(1) An application for licensure by endorsement to practice nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse shall be submitted to the board in the form prescribed by rules of the board. The application shall include all of the following:

(a) Evidence that the applicant holds a current, valid, and unrestricted license or equivalent authorization from another jurisdiction granted after passing an examination approved by the board of that jurisdiction that is equivalent to the examination requirements under this chapter for a license to practice nursing as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse;

(b) Any other information required by rules of the board;

(c) The application fee required by section 4723.08 of the Revised Code.

(2) The board shall grant a license by endorsement to practice nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse if the conditions of divisions (B)(2)(a) to (f) have been met:

(a) The applicant provides evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant has met the educational requirements described in division (C) of this section.

(b) The examination, at the time it is successfully completed, is equivalent to the examination requirements in effect at that time for applicants who were licensed by examination in this state.

(c) The board determines there is sufficient evidence that the applicant completed two contact hours of continuing education directly related to this chapter or the rules adopted under it.

(d) The results of a criminal records check conducted in accordance with section 4723.091 of the Revised Code demonstrate that the applicant is not ineligible for licensure as specified in section 4723.092 of the Revised Code.

(e) The applicant has not committed any act that is grounds for disciplinary action under section 3123.47 or 4723.28 of the Revised Code, or the board determines that an applicant who has committed any act that is grounds for disciplinary action under either of those sections has made restitution or has been rehabilitated, or both.

(f) The applicant is not required to register under Chapter 2950. of the Revised Code, or a substantially similar law of another state, the United States, or another country.

(C)

(1) To be eligible for licensure by examination or endorsement, an applicant seeking a license to practice nursing as a registered nurse must successfully complete either of the following:

(a) A nursing education program approved by the board under division (A) of section 4723.06 of the Revised Code;

(b) A nursing education program approved by a board of another jurisdiction that is a member of the national council of state boards of nursing.

(2) To be eligible for licensure by examination or endorsement, an applicant seeking a license to practice nursing as a licensed practical nurse must successfully complete one of the following:

(a) A nursing education program approved by the board under division (A) of section 4723.06 of the Revised Code;

(b) A nursing education program approved by a board of another jurisdiction that is a member of the national council of state boards of nursing;

(c) A practical nurse course offered or approved by the United States army;

(d) A practical nurse education program approved by the United States air force as either of the following:

(i) The community college of the air force associate degree in practical nursing technology;

(ii) The allied health program, for students who graduated that program prior to 2016.

(D) The board may grant a nonrenewable temporary permit to practice nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse to an applicant for license by endorsement if the board is satisfied by the evidence that the applicant holds a current, valid, and unrestricted license or equivalent authorization from another jurisdiction. Subject to earlier automatic termination as described in this paragraph, the temporary permit shall expire at the earlier of one hundred eighty days after issuance or upon the issuance of a license by endorsement. The temporary permit shall terminate automatically if the criminal records check completed by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation as described in section 4723.091 of the Revised Code regarding the applicant indicates that the applicant is ineligible for licensure as specified in section 4723.092 of the Revised Code. An applicant whose temporary permit is automatically terminated is permanently prohibited from obtaining a license to practice nursing in this state as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse.