# Title 54 — Board of Nursing

## Article 54-02 — Nurse Licensure

## Chapter 54-02-01 — Licensure by Examination

### § 54-02-01-01. Official licensing examination.

Each year the board of nursing shall contract to use the following examinations as the official North
Dakota licensing examinations for nurses:
National council licensure examination for registered nurses.
National council licensure examination for practical nurses.
History: Amended effective June 1, 1982.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-09(2)
### § 54-02-01-02. Passing score.

Repealed effective October 1, 1987.

### § 54-02-01-03. Testing dates.

Repealed effective April 1, 2004.
### § 54-02-01-04. Examination material.

Repealed effective January 1, 1994.
### § 54-02-01-04.1. Board authorization to write examination.

Candidates must complete application to the board for licensure by examination. Eligibility for
testing will be submitted to the test center by the board when notification is received that all academic
requirements have been met. In addition, the applicant's registration withthe testing vendor has been
reported to the board office.
History: Effective January 1, 1994; amended effective April 1, 2014.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-09(2)
### § 54-02-01-05. Examination results.

Examination results will be reported to individual candidates and recorded in the candidate's
permanent record in the board office. The examination results for the successful candidate will include
the number of the permanent license that shall be issued to the candidate.
History: Amended effective November 1, 1979; October 1, 1989; December 1, 1991; January 1, 1994;
May 1, 1996; February 1, 1998; April 1, 2014.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08(1)
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-09(2)
### § 54-02-01-06. Examination fees.

The board shall set the fee for licensure by examination. The fee for licensure by examination shall
be one hundred twenty-five dollars. The application is valid for a period of time not to exceed twelve
months from the determination of eligibility and the fee is nonrefundable. The candidate shall be
responsible for any payment of fees charged by the national council of state boards of nursing for use
of the national council licensure examination.
History: Amended effective November 1, 1979; March 1, 1986; March 1, 1992; January 1, 1994;
September 1, 1994; June 1, 2001; June 1, 2002; July 1, 2020.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-08(2)(d)
### § 54-02-01-07. Transcript.

1. A graduate from another state or territory or an English-speaking Canadian nursing education
program must provide an official completed transcript. The transcript must be sent directly
from the nursing education program to the board office, as proof of satisfactory completion of
the appropriate nursing education program.
2. A board-approved credentials evaluation service shall evaluate an internationally educated
applicant's official nursing education program transcript.
a. The transcript must be sent directly from the nursing program to the credentials
evaluation service.

b. The evaluation must be translated to English and the nursing education program's
approval in the home country must be verified and must include a course-by-course
evaluation to assure the nursing education program meets those requirements outlined in
article 54-03.2.
c. The nursing education program must include a clinical education equivalent in amount
and time to board-approved programs.
d. The approved credentials evaluation service shall complete and send directly to the
board the full credentials evaluation and official transcript that was evaluated.
e. The credentials evaluation must state specifically the language of instruction was English
with English textbooks. If the nursing education program was not taught in English,
evidence of the applicant's English language proficiency must be provided to the board.
f. This subsection does not apply to graduates of Canadian English-speaking nursing
education programs.
History: Amended effective June 1, 1982; January 1, 1994; February 1, 1998; April 1, 2004; April 1,
2014; April 1, 2024.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-09(2)
### § 54-02-01-08. Employment verification.

Repealed effective May 1, 1996.
### § 54-02-01-09. Internationally educated applicants.

Repealed effective April 1, 2024.
### § 54-02-01-10. Employment of unsuccessful candidates.

A candidate who fails the licensing examination may not be employed in a position with functions
that are usually assigned to licensed nurses.
History: Effective November 1, 1979; amended effective June 1, 1982.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-03
### § 54-02-01-11. Qualifications for admission to the licensing examination.

Repealed effective October 1, 1989.
### § 54-02-01-12. Early admission to the licensing examination.

Repealed effective January 1, 1994.
### § 54-02-01-13. Authorization to practice nursing.

Authorization to practice nursing between the dates of program completion and notification of
results of the licensing examination will be issued to individuals accepted as candidates for the first
licensing examination after program completion for which the candidate is eligible. Eligibility will be
determined by the following criteria:

1. The applicant has submitted a completed application, the appropriate fee, and official
transcript verifying program completion to the board office.
2. The applicant's registration with the testing vendor has been confirmed.
a. The applicant may use the appropriate title of graduate nurse or graduate practical nurse
or the appropriate abbreviation of "G.N." or "G.P.N.".
b. The applicant must practice under the supervision of a registered nurse while the
authorization to practice is valid. The work authorization to practice will expire in ninety
days or upon notification of the testing results, whichever occurs first. The work
authorization is nonrenewable and available only to graduates who complete an
application for licensure within sixty days of graduation.
History: Effective October 1, 1989; amended effective December 1, 1991; January 1, 1994; May 1,
1996; July 1, 2008; April 1, 2014.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-09(2)
### § 54-02-01-14. Recognition of programs from other jurisdictions.

For the purpose of licensure by examination to practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical
nurse, the board will recognize programs that are approved by another jurisdiction; and
1. Meet or exceed the education requirements set out in article 54-03.2 and have clinical
education equivalent in amount and time to the board-approved programs; or
2. As otherwise approved by the board.
History: Effective April 1, 2004; amended effective July 1, 2008.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-09(2)
