Code of Maine Rules
02 - DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL REGULATION
380 - STATE BOARD OF NURSING
Chapter 8 - REGULATIONS RELATING TO ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSING
Section 380-8-2 - General Regulations Relating to Certified Nurse Practitioners

A. Submits official transcript from a nurse practitioner program approved by the appropriate national accrediting body for that specific area of practice.

B. Submits evidence of current certification in the specialty area of practice, if applicable.

C. If more than 5 years have elapsed since completion of an advanced practice registered nurse program and the applicant does not meet the practice requirement set forth by the applicant's advanced practice certifying body, the applicant shall complete 500 hours of clinical practice supervised by a physician or nurse practitioner in the same specialty area of practice.

D. Submits evidence of satisfactory completion of 45 contact hours (or 3 credits) of pharmacology as set forth in Section 6(3).

E. Submits the $100.00 approval fee, which is not refundable; an application which remains incomplete after 12 months shall be considered void.

A. A nurse practitioner must practice for a minimum of 24 month sunder the supervision of a licensed physician, or a supervising nurse practitioner, or must be employed by a clinic or hospital that has a medical director who is a licensed physician.

B. The applicant shall identify a supervisory relationship with a licensed physician or nurse practitioner practicing in the same practice category who will provide oversight for the nurse practitioner.

C. The applicant's documentation of the supervisory relationship must reflect that the applicant will be working within his or her scope of practice, which is defined by educational preparation, certification in a specialty area of practice and the type of licensure.

D. The applicant identifying a supervising relationship shall:

E. The nurse practitioner must submit to the Board written evidence of completion of the required clinical experience.

F. Evidence shall be submitted that the applicant has applied for and is eligible to take, or has taken, the first available certification examination in the specialty area of practice for which application is made.

G. The applicant may not practice as a nurse practitioner if unsuccessful in 2 attempts to pass the certification examination within 2 years.

A. Request for continuing approval must be made concurrently with renewal of the registered nurse license and must include evidence of current certification by the appropriate national certifying body.

B. (Deleted effective December 7, 1997)

C. The applicant shall submit his/her assigned number from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), if applicable.

D. All applicants shall submit the $100.00 approval fee, which is not refundable.

(NOTE:SEE SECTION 8 )

A. Only a registered professional nurse whose credentials have been approved by the Board may hold her/himself out to be and use the title of "certified nurse practitioner" or "advanced practice registered nurse."

B. Certification shall not be required of a registered professional nurse who was approved by this Board for practice as a nurse practitioner prior to September 8,1993.

C. The Board accepts nurse practitioner certification conferred by national certifying organizations such as, but not limited to: American Nurses Credentialing Center; National Board of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners; National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties; and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

D. A nurse who is no longer certified by the national organization for the specific area of practice shall notify the Board immediately and shall not practice as or use the titles of "certified nurse practitioner" or "advanced practice registered nurse."