Alabama Administrative Code
Title 610 - ALABAMA BOARD OF NURSING
Chapter 610-X-4 - LICENSURE
Section 610-X-4-.16 - Special Circumstances
Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 11, August 30, 2024
(1) In the event the Governor proclaims a state of emergency impacting any part of Alabama, Code of Ala. 1975 Section 34-21-6 applies for the first thirty (30) days. An individual licensed to practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in another state may provide emergency assistance in Alabama for up to thirty (30) days subject to verification of licensure in the state where licensed, provided that the nurse has successfully passed the board selected nurse licensure examination required for licensure in Alabama. Any organization or individual who provides employment or volunteer opportunities for the licensed nurse providing nursing services is responsible to ensure the validity of the nursing license.
(2) Should an emergency continue past thirty days, a temporary permit to practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in Alabama for ninety (90) days is required. An application for an emergency temporary permit to practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse is required to be submitted to the Board electronically. Applicants for temporary permits are required to demonstrate that they have successfully completed the board selected nurse licensure examination required for licensure in Alabama.
(3) In the event of a state or nationally declared emergency in a jurisdiction outside Alabama, any individual licensed in the jurisdiction where the emergency occurred may apply electronically for a Disaster Temporary Permit to practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in Alabama in the manner prescribed by the Board. The Disaster Temporary Permit shall be valid for not more than ninety (90) days. Applicants for disaster temporary permits are required to demonstrate that they have successfully completed the board selected nurse licensure examination required for licensure in Alabama.
(4) Any individual licensed to practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in another state is required to have an Alabama license if educational or consultative services extend beyond 30 calendar days in one year, unless the individual holds a valid multistate license issued by a party state other than Alabama.
(5) Telephonic or electronic services used to communicate with patients and provide direction regarding nursing and medical care require an active license to practice nursing in Alabama, or a valid multistate RN or LPN license issued by a party state other than Alabama, or a valid multistate RN or LPN license issued by a party state other than Alabama.
(6) A licensed nurse who retires or ceases nursing practice for any reason and has no intention to practice in the future may apply to the Board for an inactive license with a "retired" status.
(7) In the event of a national emergency duly declared by federal officials, or in the event of a natural disaster or state of emergency duly proclaimed by the Governor, a certified registered nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife may provide emergency treatment without immediate physician collaboration to patients within the affected areas of the state, provided that the treatment is within the individual's scope of education, training, and approved protocol. The certified registered nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife in such circumstance shall make reasonable efforts to inform the collaborating physician of the location and type of emergency services being provided and shall act in conformance with the direction of local physicians. The authority granted under this paragraph shall extend only for the duration of the declared national emergency or state emergency or natural disaster.
(8) In the event that a licensed healthcare facility activates its emergency operation plan in response to a public health emergency, a licensed nurse or advanced practice nurse may act within such alternative standards of care delivery as are authorized by the Governor's Proclamation and alternative standards and scope of practice as are provided in the emergency operations plan, provided that any such practice is within the scope of practice, education, training, and national certification of the licensed nurse or advanced practice nurse and congruent with any limits imposed in the Code of Alabama and not addressed by the Governor's Proclamation. A certified registered nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife may provide emergency treatment without immediate physician collaboration to patients within the affected areas of the public health emergency, provided that the treatment is within the individual's scope of education, training, and approved protocol. The certified registered nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife in such circumstance shall make reasonable efforts to inform the collaborating physician of the location and type of emergency services being provided and shall act in conformance with the direction of local physicians. The authorization provided in this section shall be effective only for the duration of time during which the Governor's Proclamation and emergency operation plan are active.
(9) In the event that a licensed healthcare facility activates its emergency operation plan in response to a community disaster, a licensed nurse or advanced practice nurse may act within such alternative clinical models or clinical department utilization as are provided in the emergency operations plan, provided that any such practice is within the scope of practice, education, training, and national certification of the licensed nurse or advanced practice nurse and congruent with any limits imposed in the Code of Alabama. A certified registered nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife may provide emergency treatment without immediate physician collaboration to patients within the affected areas of the community disaster, provided that the treatment is within the individual's scope of education, training, and approved protocol. The certified registered nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife in such circumstance shall make reasonable efforts to inform the collaborating physician of the location and type of emergency services being provided and shall act in conformance with the direction of local physicians. The authorization provided in this section shall be effective only for the duration of time during which the emergency operation plan is active.
(10) Any applicant for initial licensure who possesses an active, unencumbered license in another state and who is the eligible spouse of a service member or other qualified individual, as defined in Section 31-1-6, Code of Ala. 1975, shall:
(11) Any applicant for initial approval as a certified registered nurse anesthetist or clinical nurse specialist, or any applicant for an initial certificate of qualification as a certified registered nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife, who is approved to practice advanced practice nursing in another state and is the eligible spouse of a service member or other qualified individual, as defined in Section 31-1-6, Code of Ala. 1975, shall:
Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-21-6.