(1) If the board has reasonable cause to believe that any licensee; applicant for licensure by examination, endorsement, reinstatement, or change of status; holder of the privilege to practice as a nurse; credential holder; or holder of a temporary work permit is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety or has abused alcohol or drugs, it may require the person to submit to a mental health, neuropsychological, psychosocial, psychosexual, substance use disorder, or physical evaluation by a licensed or certified practitioner designated by the board. Upon the failure of the person to submit the evaluation within thirty (30) days, unless due to circumstances beyond the person’s control, the board may initiate an action for immediate temporary suspension pursuant to KRS § 314.089 or deny the application until the person submits to the required evaluation.
(2) Every licensee; applicant for licensure by examination, endorsement, reinstatement, or change of status; holder of the privilege to practice as a nurse; credential holder; or holder of a temporary work permit shall be deemed to have given consent to submit to a mental health, neuropsychological, psychosocial, psychosexual, substance use disorder, or physical evaluation when so directed in writing by the board. The direction to submit to an evaluation shall contain the basis of the board’s reasonable cause to believe that the person is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety, or has abused alcohol or drugs. The person shall be deemed to have waived all objections to the admissibility of the examining practitioner’s testimony or examination reports on the ground of privileged communication.

Terms Used In Kentucky Statutes 314.085

  • Action: includes all proceedings in any court of this state. See Kentucky Statutes 446.010
  • Board: means Kentucky Board of Nursing. See Kentucky Statutes 314.011
  • Credential: means a current license, registration, certificate, or other similar authorization that is issued by the board. See Kentucky Statutes 314.011
  • Nurse: means a person who is licensed or holds the privilege to practice under the provisions of this chapter as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse. See Kentucky Statutes 314.011
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.

(3) The licensee; applicant for licensure by examination, endorsement, reinstatement, or change of status; holder of the privilege to practice as a nurse; credential holder; or holder of a temporary work permit shall bear the cost of any mental health, neuropsychological, psychosocial, psychosexual, substance use disorder, or physical evaluation ordered by the board.
Effective: July 14, 2018
History: Amended 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 183, sec. 5, effective July 14, 2018. — Amended
2015 Ky. Acts ch. 117, sec. 15, effective June 24, 2015. — Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 86, sec. 7, effective June 1, 2007. — Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 266, sec. 4, effective July 15, 2002. — Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 391, sec. 14, effective July
14, 2000. — Created 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 128, sec. 13, effective July 14, 1992.