(a) A state must implement procedures for considering the criminal history records of applicants for initial APRN licensure or APRN licensure by endorsement. Such procedures shall include the submission of fingerprints or other biometric-based information by APRN applicants for the purpose of obtaining an applicant’s criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that state’s criminal records.

(b) Each party state shall require all of the following for an applicant to satisfy the APRN uniform licensure requirements to obtain or retain a multistate license in the home state:

(1) Meets the home state’s qualifications for licensure or renewal of licensure, as well as all other applicable state laws.

(2) Has (a) completed an accredited graduate-level education program that prepares the applicant for 1 of the 4 recognized roles and population foci; or (b) has completed a foreign APRN education program for 1 of the 4 recognized roles and population foci that has been (a) approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country and (b) verified by an independent credentials review agency to be comparable to a licensing board approved APRN education program.

(3) Has, if a graduate of a foreign APRN education program not taught in English or if English is not the individual’s native language, successfully passed an English proficiency examination that includes the components of reading, speaking, writing and listening.

(4) Has successfully passed a national certification examination that measures APRN, role and population-focused competencies and maintains continued competence as evidenced by recertification in the role and population focus through the national certification program.

(5) Holds an active, unencumbered license as a registered nurse and an active, unencumbered authorization to practice as an APRN.

(6) Has successfully passed an NCLEX-RN® examination or recognized predecessor, as applicable.

(7) Has practiced for at least 2,080 hours as an APRN in a role and population focus congruent with the applicant’s education and training. For purposes of this section, practice shall not include hours obtained as part of enrollment in an APRN education program.

(8) Has submitted, in connection with an application for initial licensure or licensure by endorsement, fingerprints or other biometric data for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that state or, if applicable, foreign country’s criminal records.

(9) Has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a felony offense under applicable state, federal or foreign criminal law.

(10) Has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a misdemeanor offense related to the practice of nursing as determined by factors set forth in rules adopted by the Commission.

(11) Is not currently enrolled in an alternative program.

(12) Is subject to self-disclosure requirements regarding current participation in an alternative program.

(13) Has a valid United States Social Security number.

(c) An APRN issued a multistate license shall be licensed in an approved role and at least 1 approved population focus.

(d) An APRN multistate license issued by a home state to a resident in that state will be recognized by each party state as authorizing the APRN to practice as an APRN in each party state, under a multistate licensure privilege, in the same role and population focus as the APRN is licensed in the home state.

(e) Nothing in this Compact shall affect the requirements established by a party state for the issuance of a single-state license, except that an individual may apply for a single-state license, instead of a multistate license, even if otherwise qualified for the multistate license. However, the failure of such an individual to affirmatively opt for a single-state license may result in the issuance of a multistate license.

(f) Issuance of an APRN multistate license shall include prescriptive authority for non-controlled prescription drugs.

(g) For each state in which an APRN seeks authority to prescribe controlled substances, the APRN shall satisfy all requirements imposed by such state in granting and/or renewing such authority.

(h) An APRN issued a multistate license is authorized to assume responsibility and accountability for patient care independent of any supervisory or collaborative relationship. This authority may be exercised in the home state and in any remote state in which the APRN exercises a multistate licensure privilege.

(i) All party states shall be authorized, in accordance with state due process laws, to take adverse action against an APRN’s multistate licensure privilege such as revocation, suspension, probation or any other action that affects an APRN’s authorization to practice under a multistate licensure privilege, including cease and desist actions. If a party state takes such action, it shall promptly notify the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system. The administrator of the coordinated licensure information system shall promptly notify the home state of any such actions by remote states.

(j) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Compact, an APRN practicing in a party state must comply with the state practice laws of the state in which the client is located at the time service is provided. APRN practice is not limited to patient care but shall include all advanced nursing practice as defined by the state practice laws of the party state in which the client is located. APRN practice in a party state under a multistate licensure privilege will subject the APRN to the jurisdiction of the licensing board, the courts, and the laws of the party state in which the client is located at the time service is provided.

(k) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Compact, this Compact does not affect additional requirements imposed by states for advanced practice registered nursing. However, a multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing granted by a party state shall be recognized by other party states as satisfying any state law requirement for registered nurse licensure as a precondition for authorization to practice as an APRN in that state.

(l) Individuals not residing in a party state shall continue to be able to apply for a party state’s single-state APRN license as provided under the laws of each party state. However, the single-state license granted to these individuals will not be recognized as granting the privilege to practice as an APRN in any other party state.

83 Del. Laws, c. 110, § 1;