# Title 54 — Board of Nursing

## Article 54-05 — Standards of Practice

## Chapter 54-05-03.2 — Specialty Practice Registered Nurse

### § 54-05-03.2-01. Statement of intent.

The 1977 legislative assembly enacted legislation that recognized the performance of additional
acts to be performed by registered nurses practicing in expanded roles and gave the board of nursing
the power to set standards for nurses practicing in specialized roles. The 2001 legislative assembly
defined the education requirements for the specialty practice registered nurse.
The scope of practice for a registered nurse with specialty licensure is based upon an
understanding that a broad range of health care services can be appropriately and competently
provided by a registered nurse with validated knowledge, skills, and abilities in specific practice areas.
The health care needs of citizens in North Dakota require that nurses in specialty practice roles provide
care to the fullest extent of their scope of practice. The specialty practice registered nurse retains the
responsibility and accountability for that scope of practice and is ultimately accountable to the client
within the Nurse Practices Act.
History: Effective June 1, 2002.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-09(2)(f)
### § 54-05-03.2-02. Board authority - Title - Abbreviation.

The board may authorize specialty nursing practice to a registered nurse who has submitted
evidence of knowledge, skills, and abilities in a defined area of nursing practice. Each specialty practice
registered nurse may use the applicable category designation for purposes of identification and
documentation. No person may use the specialty practice registered nurse title without the express
authority of the board to do so.
History: Effective June 1, 2002.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-09(2)(f)
### § 54-05-03.2-03. Standards of practice for the specialty practice registered nurse.

1. The standards of practice for the registered nurse found in chapter 54-05-02 are the core
standards of practice for all categories of specialty practice registered nurses.
2. In addition to the core registered nurse standards of practice, each specialty practice
registered nurse shall practice according to national standards acceptable to the board for
specialty practice registered nurses.
History: Effective June 1, 2002.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-09(2)(f)

### § 54-05-03.2-04. Initial requirements for specialty practice registered nurse licensure.

The board of nursing shall restrict the issuance of the specialty license to the registered nurse who
has submitted evidence of specialization within a defined area of nursing practice.
Applicants for specialty practice registered nurse licensure must:
1. Possess a current license to practice as a registered nurse in North Dakota or a compact
state;
2. Submit evidence of experiential expertise gained through the clinical aspect of coursework or
employment or submit evidence of additional educational preparation in continuing education
programs or formal education in a board-approved program;
3. Submit evidence of current certification by a national certifying body in the specific area of
nursing practice;
4. Submit a completed notarized application and pay the fee of one hundred twenty-five dollars;
5. Submit a scope of practice statement for review and approval by the board; and
6. Submit other activities as approved by the board.
History: Effective June 1, 2002; amended effective July 1, 2008; July 1, 2020.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-09(2)(f)
### § 54-05-03.2-05. Requirements for specialty practice registered nurse licensure renewal.

The specialty license is valid for the same period of time as the applicant's registered nurse license.
Applicants for renewal of the license must:
1. Renew the registered nurse license;
2. Complete the specialty practice registered nurse license renewal application;
3. Pay the licensure renewal fee of eighty dollars;
4. Submit evidence of current certification; and
5. Meet the requirements in section 54-05-03.2-08.
History: Effective June 1, 2002; amended effective April 1, 2011; July 1, 2020.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-09(2)(f)
### § 54-05-03.2-05.1. Reactivation of a license.

A specialty practice registered nurse previously licensed in North Dakota who applies for
reactivation must meet board requirements, including the following:
1. Complete the application and submit to a criminal history record check according to section
54-02-12-01;
2. Pay the nonrefundable renewal fee and fifty dollar reactivation fee; and
3. Meet the requirements in section 54-02-05-05.1 regarding practice requirements for license
renewal, section 54-02-05-08 regarding continuing education requirements for license

renewal, section 54-05-03.2-05 regarding requirements for specialty practice registered nurse
licensure renewal, and section 54-05-03.2-08 regarding change in scope of practice; or
4. Submit other evidence the applicant wishes to submit which would provide proof of nursing
competence acceptable to the board.
History: Effective July 1, 2008; amended effective April 1, 2011; July 1, 2020.
General Authority: NDCC 12-60-24(2)(o), 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-09.1, 43-12.1-10(1)
### § 54-05-03.2-06. Disciplinary action against specialty practice registered nurse licensee.

The specialty practice registered nurse licensee may be subject to discipline by the board when the
licensee has:
1. Been found in violation of any provision of North Dakota Century Code section 43-12.1-14; or
2. Failed to maintain national nursing certification.
History: Effective June 1, 2002.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-09(2)(f)
### § 54-05-03.2-07. Encumbered license.

Encumbrances placed on the specialty practice registered nurse license will also be placed on the
registered nurse license.
History: Effective June 1, 2002.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-09(2)(f)
### § 54-05-03.2-08. Change in scope of practice.

The specialty practice registered nurse must notify the board in writing of a change in scope of
practice within five working days and submit completed scope of practice statement within sixty days of
the change.
History: Effective April 1, 2011.
General Authority: NDCC 43-12.1-08
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-12.1-09(2)(f)
