1. An applicant for a license to practice as a registered professional nurse shall submit to the board a written application on forms furnished to the applicant. The original application shall contain the applicant’s statements showing the applicant’s education and other such pertinent information as the board may require. The applicant shall be of good moral character and have completed at least the high school course of study, or the equivalent thereof as determined by the state board of education, and have successfully completed the basic professional curriculum in an accredited or approved school of nursing and earned a professional nursing degree or diploma. Each application shall contain a statement that it is made under oath or affirmation and that its representations are true and correct to the best knowledge and belief of the person signing same, subject to the penalties of making a false affidavit or declaration. Applicants from non-English-speaking lands shall be required to submit evidence of proficiency in the English language. The applicant must be approved by the board and shall pass an examination as required by the board. The board may require by rule as a requirement for licensure that each applicant shall pass an oral or practical examination. Upon successfully passing the examination, the board may issue to the applicant a license to practice nursing as a registered professional nurse. The applicant for a license to practice registered professional nursing shall pay a license fee in such amount as set by the board. The fee shall be uniform for all applicants. Applicants from foreign countries shall be licensed as prescribed by rule.

2. An applicant for license to practice as a licensed practical nurse shall submit to the board a written application on forms furnished to the applicant. The original application shall contain the applicant’s statements showing the applicant’s education and other such pertinent information as the board may require. Such applicant shall be of good moral character, and have completed at least two years of high school, or its equivalent as established by the state board of education, and have successfully completed a basic prescribed curriculum in a state-accredited or approved school of nursing, earned a nursing degree, certificate or diploma and completed a course approved by the board on the role of the practical nurse. Each application shall contain a statement that it is made under oath or affirmation and that its representations are true and correct to the best knowledge and belief of the person signing same, subject to the penalties of making a false affidavit or declaration. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries shall be required to submit evidence of their proficiency in the English language. The applicant must be approved by the board and shall pass an examination as required by the board. The board may require by rule as a requirement for licensure that each applicant shall pass an oral or practical examination. Upon successfully passing the examination, the board may issue to the applicant a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse. The applicant for a license to practice licensed practical nursing shall pay a fee in such amount as may be set by the board. The fee shall be uniform for all applicants. Applicants from foreign countries shall be licensed as prescribed by rule.

3. Upon refusal of the board to allow any applicant to sit for either the registered professional nurses’ examination or the licensed practical nurses’ examination, as the case may be, the board shall comply with the provisions of section 621.120 and advise the applicant of his or her right to have a hearing before the administrative hearing commission. The administrative hearing commission shall hear complaints taken pursuant to section 621.120.

4. The board shall not deny a license because of sex, religion, race, ethnic origin, age or political affiliation.