CHAPTER 4723: NURSES

As used in this chapter:

(A) “Registered nurse” means an individual who holds a current, valid license issued under this chapter that authorizes the practice of nursing as a registered nurse.

(B) “Practice of nursing as a registered nurse” means providing to individuals and groups nursing care requiring specialized knowledge, judgment, and skill derived from the principles of biological, physical, behavioral, social, and nursing sciences. Such nursing care includes:

(1) Identifying patterns of human responses to actual or potential health problems amenable to a nursing regimen;

(2) Executing a nursing regimen through the selection, performance, management, and evaluation of nursing actions;

(3) Assessing health status for the purpose of providing nursing care;

(4) Providing health counseling and health teaching;

(5) Administering medications, treatments, and executing regimens authorized by an individual who is authorized to practice in this state and is acting within the course of the individual’s professional practice;

(6) Teaching, administering, supervising, delegating, and evaluating nursing practice.

(C) “Nursing regimen” may include preventative, restorative, and health-promotion activities.

(D) “Assessing health status” means the collection of data through nursing assessment techniques, which may include interviews, observation, and physical evaluations for the purpose of providing nursing care.

(E) “Licensed practical nurse” means an individual who holds a current, valid license issued under this chapter that authorizes the practice of nursing as a licensed practical nurse.

(F) “The practice of nursing as a licensed practical nurse” means providing to individuals and groups nursing care requiring the application of basic knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral, social, and nursing sciences at the direction of a licensed physician, dentist, podiatrist, optometrist, chiropractor, or registered nurse. Such nursing care includes:

(1) Observation, patient teaching, and care in a diversity of health care settings;

(2) Contributions to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing;

(3) Administration of medications and treatments authorized by an individual who is authorized to practice in this state and is acting within the course of the individual’s professional practice, except that administration of intravenous therapy shall be performed only in accordance with section 4723.17 or 4723.171 of the Revised Code. Medications may be administered by a licensed practical nurse upon proof of completion of a course in medication administration approved by the board of nursing.

(4) Administration to an adult of intravenous therapy authorized by an individual who is authorized to practice in this state and is acting within the course of the individual’s professional practice, on the condition that the licensed practical nurse is authorized under section 4723.17 or 4723.171 of the Revised Code to perform intravenous therapy and performs intravenous therapy only in accordance with those sections;

(5) Delegation of nursing tasks as directed by a registered nurse;

(6) Teaching nursing tasks to licensed practical nurses and individuals to whom the licensed practical nurse is authorized to delegate nursing tasks as directed by a registered nurse.

(G) “Certified registered nurse anesthetist” means a registered nurse who holds a valid certificate of authority issued under this chapter that authorizes the practice of nursing as a certified registered nurse anesthetist in accordance with section 4723.43 of the Revised Code and rules adopted by the board of nursing.

(H) “Clinical nurse specialist” means a registered nurse who holds a valid certificate of authority issued under this chapter that authorizes the practice of nursing as a clinical nurse specialist in accordance with section 4723.43 of the Revised Code and rules adopted by the board of nursing.

(I) “Certified nurse-midwife” means a registered nurse who holds a valid certificate of authority issued under this chapter that authorizes the practice of nursing as a certified nurse-midwife in accordance with section 4723.43 of the Revised Code and rules adopted by the board of nursing.

(J) “Certified nurse practitioner” means a registered nurse who holds a valid certificate of authority issued under this chapter that authorizes the practice of nursing as a certified nurse practitioner in accordance with section 4723.43 of the Revised Code and rules adopted by the board of nursing.

(K) “Physician” means an individual authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

(L) “Collaboration” or “collaborating” means the following:

(1) In the case of a clinical nurse specialist, except as provided in division (L)(3) of this section, or a certified nurse practitioner, that one or more podiatrists acting within the scope of practice of podiatry in accordance with section 4731.51 of the Revised Code and with whom the nurse has entered into a standard care arrangement or one or more physicians with whom the nurse has entered into a standard care arrangement are continuously available to communicate with the clinical nurse specialist or certified nurse practitioner either in person or by radio, telephone, or other form of telecommunication;

(2) In the case of a certified nurse-midwife, that one or more physicians with whom the certified nurse-midwife has entered into a standard care arrangement are continuously available to communicate with the certified nurse-midwife either in person or by radio, telephone, or other form of telecommunication;

(3) In the case of a clinical nurse specialist who practices the nursing specialty of mental health or psychiatric mental health without being authorized to prescribe drugs and therapeutic devices, that one or more physicians are continuously available to communicate with the nurse either in person or by radio, telephone, or other form of telecommunication.

(M) “Supervision,” as it pertains to a certified registered nurse anesthetist, means that the certified registered nurse anesthetist is under the direction of a podiatrist acting within the podiatrist’s scope of practice in accordance with section 4731.51 of the Revised Code, a dentist acting within the dentist’s scope of practice in accordance with Chapter 4715. of the Revised Code, or a physician, and, when administering anesthesia, the certified registered nurse anesthetist is in the immediate presence of the podiatrist, dentist, or physician.

(N) “Standard care arrangement” means a written, formal guide for planning and evaluating a patient’s health care that is developed by one or more collaborating physicians or podiatrists and a clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner and meets the requirements of section 4723.431 of the Revised Code.

(O) “Advanced practice nurse” means a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner.

(P) “Dialysis care” means the care and procedures that a dialysis technician is authorized to provide and perform, as specified in section 4723.72 of the Revised Code.

(Q) “Dialysis technician” means an individual who holds a current, valid certificate or temporary certificate issued under this chapter that authorizes the individual to practice as a dialysis technician in accordance with section 4723.72 of the Revised Code.

(R) “Certified community health worker” means an individual who holds a current, valid certificate as a community health worker issued by the board of nursing under section 4723.85 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 09-26-2003; 04-07-2005; 03-30-2007

The board of nursing shall assume and exercise all the powers and perform all the duties conferred and imposed on it by this chapter.

The board shall consist of thirteen members who shall be citizens of the United States and residents of Ohio. Eight members shall be registered nurses, each of whom shall be a graduate of an approved program of nursing education that prepares persons for licensure as a registered nurse, shall hold a currently active license issued under this chapter to practice nursing as a registered nurse, and shall have been actively engaged in the practice of nursing as a registered nurse for the five years immediately preceding the member’s initial appointment to the board. Of the eight members who are registered nurses, at least one shall hold a valid certificate of authority issued under this chapter that authorizes the practice of nursing as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner. Four members shall be licensed practical nurses, each of whom shall be a graduate of an approved program of nursing education that prepares persons for licensure as a practical nurse, shall hold a currently active license issued under this chapter to practice nursing as a licensed practical nurse, and shall have been actively engaged in the practice of nursing as a licensed practical nurse for the five years immediately preceding the member’s initial appointment to the board. One member shall represent the interests of consumers of health care. Neither this member nor any person in the member’s immediate family shall be a member of or associated with a health care provider or profession or shall have a financial interest in the delivery or financing of health care. Representation of nursing service and nursing education and of the various geographical areas of the state shall be considered in making appointments.

As the term of any member of the board expires, a successor shall be appointed who has the qualifications the vacancy requires. Terms of office shall be for four years, commencing on the first day of January and ending on the thirty-first day of December.

A current or former board member who has served not more than one full term or one full term and not more than thirty months of another term may be reappointed for one additional term.

Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. The term of a member shall expire if the member ceases to meet any requirement of this section for the member’s position on the board. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of such term. Any member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member’s term until the member’s successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

Nursing organizations of this state may each submit to the governor the names of not more than five nominees for each position to be filled on the board. From the names so submitted or from others, at the governor’s discretion, the governor with the advice and consent of the senate shall make such appointments.

Any member of the board may be removed by the governor for neglect of any duty required by law or for incompetency or unprofessional or dishonorable conduct, after a hearing as provided in Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Seven members of the board including at least four registered nurses and at least one licensed practical nurse shall at all times constitute a quorum.

Each member of the board shall receive an amount fixed pursuant to division (J) of section 124.15 of the Revised Code for each day in attendance at board meetings and in discharge of official duties, and in addition thereto, necessary expense incurred in the performance of such duties.

The board shall elect one of its nurse members as president and one as vice-president. The board shall elect one of its registered nurse members to serve as the supervising member for disciplinary matters.

The board may establish advisory groups to serve in consultation with the board or the executive director. Each advisory group shall be given a specific charge in writing and shall report to the board. Members of advisory groups shall serve without compensation but shall receive their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001

In the absence of fraud or bad faith, the board of nursing, a current or former board member, an agent of the board, a representative of the board, an employee of the board, or an entity that provides services related to remediation under the board’s practice intervention and improvement program shall not be held liable in damages to any person as the result of any act, omission, proceeding, conduct, or decision related to official duties undertaken or performed pursuant to this chapter. If a member, agent, representative, employee, or entity asks to be defended by the state against any claim or action arising out of any act, omission, proceeding, conduct, or decision related to the requestor’s official duties, and the request is made in writing at a reasonable time before trial and the requestor cooperates in good faith in the defense of the claim or action, the state shall provide and pay for the requestor’s defense and shall pay any resulting judgment, compromise, or settlement. At no time shall the state pay any part of a claim or judgment that is for punitive or exemplary damages.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001

(A) No person shall engage in the practice of nursing as a registered nurse, represent the person as being a registered nurse, or use the title “registered nurse,” the initials “R.N.,” or any other title implying that the person is a registered nurse, for a fee, salary, or other consideration, or as a volunteer, without holding a current, valid license as a registered nurse under this chapter.

(B) No person shall engage in the practice of nursing as a licensed practical nurse, represent the person as being a licensed practical nurse, or use the title “licensed practical nurse,” the initials “L.P.N.,” or any other title implying that the person is a licensed practical nurse, for a fee, salary, or other consideration, or as a volunteer, without holding a current, valid license as a practical nurse under this chapter.

(C) No person shall use the titles or initials “graduate nurse,” “G.N.,” “professional nurse,” “P.N.,” “graduate practical nurse,” “G.P.N.,” “practical nurse,” “P.N.,” “trained nurse,” “T.N.,” or any other statement, title, or initials that would imply or represent to the public that the person is authorized to practice nursing in this state, except as follows:

(1) A person licensed under this chapter to practice nursing as a registered nurse may use that title and the initials “R.N.”;

(2) A person licensed under this chapter to practice nursing as a licensed practical nurse may use that title and the initials “L.P.N.”;

(3) A person authorized under this chapter to practice nursing as a certified registered nurse anesthetist may use that title, the initials “C.R.N.A.” or “N.A.,” and any other title or initials approved by the board of nursing;

(4) A person authorized under this chapter to practice nursing as a clinical nurse specialist may use that title, the initials “C.N.S.,” and any other title or initials approved by the board;

(5) A person authorized under this chapter to practice nursing as a certified nurse-midwife may use that title, the initials “C.N.M.,” and any other title or initials approved by the board;

(6) A person authorized under this chapter to practice nursing as a certified nurse practitioner may use that title, the initials “C.N.P.,” and any other title or initials approved by the board;

(7) A person authorized under this chapter to practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner may use the title “advanced practice nurse” or the initials “A.P.N.”

(D) No person shall employ a person not licensed as a registered nurse under this chapter to engage in the practice of nursing as a registered nurse. No person shall employ a person not licensed as a practical nurse under this chapter to engage in the practice of nursing as a licensed practical nurse.

(E) No person shall sell or fraudulently obtain or furnish any nursing diploma, license, certificate, renewal, or record, or aid or abet such acts.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001; 04-07-2005

Effective Date: 04-10-2001

The board of nursing shall appoint an executive director, who shall be a registered nurse of this state with at least five years experience in the practice of nursing as a registered nurse, shall be a resident of this state during the term of appointment, and shall not be a member of the board at the time of appointment or during the term of appointment. The board shall meet at such times and places as it may direct and provide in its rules. The president may call special meetings, and the executive director shall call special meetings upon the written request of two or more board members. The board shall provide itself with a seal. The president and executive director may administer oaths. The executive director is the chief administrative officer of the board and shall serve as a full time employee of the board and shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the board except meetings concerning the appointment and terms of employment of the executive director.

The term of the executive director shall be one year commencing on the first day of January. The executive director shall receive necessary expenses in addition to salary. The executive director shall give a surety bond to the state in such sum as the board requires, and conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of executive director.

The executive director is an appointing authority as defined in section 124.01 of the Revised Code, and may appoint such nursing education consultants, nursing practice consultants, investigative personnel, and any additional employees for professional, clerical, and special work necessary to carry out the board’s functions and with the board’s approval, may establish standards for the conduct of employees.

Effective Date: 06-14-1988

Effective Date: 04-10-2001

(A) The board of nursing shall:

(1) Administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter, including the taking of disciplinary action for violations of section 4723.28 of the Revised Code, any other provisions of this chapter, or rules adopted under this chapter;

(2) Develop criteria that an applicant must meet to be eligible to sit for the examination for licensure to practice as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse;

(3) Issue and renew nursing licenses, dialysis technician certificates, and community health worker certificates, as provided in this chapter;

(4) Define the minimum curricula and standards for educational programs of the schools of professional nursing and schools of practical nursing in this state;

(5) Survey, inspect, and grant full approval to prelicensure nursing education programs that meet the standards established by rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code. Prelicensure nursing education programs include, but are not limited to, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, diploma, and doctor of nursing programs leading to initial licensure to practice nursing as a registered nurse and practical nurse programs leading to initial licensure to practice nursing as a licensed practical nurse.

(6) Grant conditional approval, by a vote of a quorum of the board, to a new prelicensure nursing education program or a program that is being reestablished after having ceased to operate, if the program meets and maintains the minimum standards of the board established by rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code. If the board does not grant conditional approval, it shall hold an adjudication under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to consider conditional approval of the program. If the board grants conditional approval, at its first meeting after the first class has completed the program, the board shall determine whether to grant full approval to the program. If the board does not grant full approval or if it appears that the program has failed to meet and maintain standards established by rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code, the board shall hold an adjudication under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to consider the program. Based on results of the adjudication, the board may continue or withdraw conditional approval, or grant full approval.

(7) Place on provisional approval, for a period of time specified by the board, a program that has ceased to meet and maintain the minimum standards of the board established by rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code. At the end of the period, the board shall reconsider whether the program meets the standards and shall grant full approval if it does. If it does not, the board may withdraw approval, pursuant to an adjudication under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(8) Approve continuing nursing education programs and courses under standards established in rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code;

(9) Approve peer support programs, under rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code, for nurses, for dialysis technicians, and for certified community health workers;

(10) Establish a program for monitoring chemical dependency in accordance with section 4723.35 of the Revised Code;

(11) Establish the practice intervention and improvement program in accordance with section 4723.282 of the Revised Code;

(12) Issue and renew certificates of authority to practice nursing as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner;

(13) Approve under section 4723.46 of the Revised Code national certifying organizations for examination and certification of certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, or certified nurse practitioners;

(14) Issue and renew certificates to prescribe in accordance with sections 4723.48 and 4723.485 of the Revised Code;

(15) Grant approval to the planned classroom and clinical study required by section 4723.483 of the Revised Code to be eligible for a certificate to prescribe;

(16) Make an annual edition of the formulary established in rules adopted under section 4723.50 of the Revised Code available to the public either in printed form or by electronic means and, as soon as possible after any revision of the formulary becomes effective, make the revision available to the public in printed form or by electronic means;

(17) Provide guidance and make recommendations to the general assembly, the governor, state agencies, and the federal government with respect to the regulation of the practice of nursing and the enforcement of this chapter;

(18) Make an annual report to the governor, which shall be open for public inspection;

(19) Maintain and have open for public inspection the following records:

(a) A record of all its meetings and proceedings;

(b) A file of holders of nursing licenses, registrations, and certificates granted under this chapter; dialysis technician certificates granted under this chapter; and community health worker certificates granted under this chapter. The file shall be maintained in the form prescribed by rule of the board.

(c) A list of prelicensure nursing education programs approved by the board;

(d) A list of approved peer support programs for nurses , dialysis technicians, and certified community health workers.

(B) The board may fulfill the requirement of division (A)(8) of this section by authorizing persons who meet the standards established in rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code to approve continuing nursing education programs and courses. Persons so authorized shall approve continuing nursing education programs and courses in accordance with standards established in rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code.

Persons seeking authorization to approve continuing nursing education programs and courses shall apply to the board and pay the appropriate fee established under section 4723.08 of the Revised Code. Authorizations to approve continuing nursing education programs and courses shall expire, and may be renewed according to the schedule established in rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code.

In addition to approving continuing nursing education programs under division (A)(8) of this section, the board may sponsor continuing education activities that are directly related to the statutes and rules pertaining to the practice of nursing in this state.

Effective Date: 06-29-2003

This chapter does not require the board of nursing to act on minor violations of this chapter or the rules adopted under it, if the violations are committed by individuals licensed under this chapter and the board determines that the public is adequately protected by issuing a notice or warning to the alleged offender.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001

The board of nursing may solicit and accept grants and services to develop and maintain a program that addresses patient safety and health care issues related to the supply of and demand for nurses and other health care workers. The board shall not solicit or accept a grant or service that interferes with the board’s independence or objectivity.

All money received by the board under this section shall be deposited into the nursing special issue fund which is hereby created in the state treasury. The board shall use money in the fund to pay the costs it incurs in implementing this section.

Effective Date: 09-05-2001

(A) As used in this section:

(1) “Health care facility” means:

(a) A hospital registered under section 3701.07 of the Revised Code;

(b) A nursing home licensed under section 3721.02 of the Revised Code, or by a political subdivision certified under section 3721.09 of the Revised Code;

(c) A county home or a county nursing home as defined in section 5155.31 of the Revised Code that is certified under Title XVIII or XIX of the “Social Security Act,” 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, amended;

(d) A freestanding dialysis center;

(e) A freestanding inpatient rehabilitation facility;

(f) An ambulatory surgical facility;

(g) A freestanding cardiac catheterization facility;

(h) A freestanding birthing center;

(i) A freestanding or mobile diagnostic imaging center;

(j) A freestanding radiation therapy center.

(2) “Nurse education program” means a prelicensure nurse education program approved by the board of nursing under section 4723.06 of the Revised Code or a postlicensure nurse education program approved by the board of regents under section 3333.04 of the Revised Code.

(B) The state board of nursing shall establish and administer the nurse education grant program. Under the program, the board shall award grants to nurse education programs that have partnerships with other education programs, community health agencies, or health care facilities. Grant recipients shall use the money to fund partnerships to increase the nurse education program’s enrollment capacity. Methods of increasing a program’s enrollment capacity may include hiring faculty and preceptors, purchasing educational equipment and materials, and other actions acceptable to the board. Grant money shall not be used to construct or renovate buildings. Partnerships may be developed between one or more nurse education programs and one or more health care facilities.

In awarding grants, the board shall give preference to partnerships between nurse education programs and hospitals, nursing homes, and county homes or county nursing homes, but may also award grants to fund partnerships between nurse education programs and other health care facilities.

(C) The board shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code establishing the following:

(1) Eligibility requirements for receipt of a grant;

(2) Grant application forms and procedures;

(3) The amounts in which grants may be made and the total amount that may be awarded to a nurse education program that has a partnership with other education programs, a community health agency, or a health care facility;

(4) A method whereby the board may evaluate the effectiveness of a partnership between joint recipients in increasing the nurse education program’s enrollment capacity;

(5) The percentage of the money in the fund that must remain in the fund at all times to maintain a fiscally responsible fund balance;

(6) The percentage of available grants to be awarded to licensed practical nurse education programs, registered nurse education programs, and graduate programs;

(7) Any other matters incidental to the operation of the program.

(D) From January 1, 2004, until December 31, 2013, the ten dollars of each biennial nursing license renewal fee collected under section 4723.08 of the Revised Code shall be dedicated to the nurse education grant program fund, which is hereby created in the state treasury. The board shall use money in the fund for grants awarded under division (A) of this section and for expenses of administering the grant program. The amount used for administrative expenses in any year shall not exceed ten per cent of the amount transferred to the fund in that year.

(E) Each quarter, for the purposes of transferring funds to the nurse education grant program, the board of nursing shall certify to the director of budget and management the number of biennial licenses renewed under this chapter during the preceding quarter and the amount equal to that number times ten dollars.

(F) Notwithstanding the requirements of section 4743.05 of the Revised Code, from January 1, 2004, until December 31, 2013, at the end of each quarter, the director of budget and management shall transfer from the occupational licensing and regulatory fund to the nurse education grant program fund the amount certified under division (E) of this section.

Effective Date: 09-26-2003

4723.063 Repealed

Repeal Effective Date: 12-31-2013

In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the board of nursing shall adopt and may amend and rescind rules that establish all of the following:

(A) Provisions for the board’s government and control of its actions and business affairs;

(B) Minimum curricula and standards for nursing education programs that prepare graduates to be licensed under this chapter and procedures for granting, renewing, and withdrawing approval of those programs;

(C) Criteria that applicants for licensure must meet to be eligible to take examinations for licensure;

(D) Standards and procedures for renewal of the licenses and certificates issued by the board;

(E) Standards for approval of continuing nursing education programs and courses for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, and certified nurse practitioners. The standards may provide for approval of continuing nursing education programs and courses that have been approved by other state boards of nursing or by national accreditation systems for nursing, including, but not limited to, the American nurses’ credentialing center and the national association for practical nurse education and service.

(F) Standards that persons must meet to be authorized by the board to approve continuing nursing education programs and courses and a schedule by which that authorization expires and may be renewed;

(G) Requirements, including continuing education requirements, for restoring inactive nursing licenses, dialysis technician certificates, and community health worker certificates, and for restoring nursing licenses, dialysis technician certificates, and community health worker certificates that have lapsed through failure to renew;

(H) Conditions that may be imposed for reinstatement of a nursing license, dialysis technician certificate, or community health worker certificate following action taken under section 3123.47, 4723.28, 4723.281, or 4723.86 of the Revised Code resulting in a license or certificate suspension;

(I) Standards for approval of peer support programs for persons who hold a nursing license, dialysis technician certificate, or community health worker certificate;

(J) Requirements for board approval of courses in medication administration by licensed practical nurses;

(K) Criteria for evaluating the qualifications of an applicant for a license to practice nursing as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, a certificate of authority issued under division (E) of section 4723.41 of the Revised Code, a dialysis technician certificate, or a community health worker certificate by the board’s endorsement of the applicant’s authority to practice issued by the licensing agency of another state;

(L) Universal blood and body fluid precautions that shall be used by each person holding a nursing license or dialysis technician certificate issued under this chapter who performs exposure-prone invasive procedures. The rules shall define and establish requirements for universal blood and body fluid precautions that include the following:

(1) Appropriate use of hand washing;

(2) Disinfection and sterilization of equipment;

(3) Handling and disposal of needles and other sharp instruments;

(4) Wearing and disposal of gloves and other protective garments and devices.

(M) Standards and procedures for approving certificates of authority to practice nursing as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner, and for renewal of those certificates;

(N) Quality assurance standards for certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, or certified nurse practitioners;

(O) Additional criteria for the standard care arrangement required by section 4723.431 of the Revised Code entered into by a clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner and the nurse’s collaborating physician or podiatrist;

(P) Continuing education standards for clinical nurse specialists who are exempt under division (C) of section 4723.41 of the Revised Code from the requirement of having passed a certification examination;

(Q) For purposes of division (B)(31) of section 4723.28 of the Revised Code, the actions, omissions, or other circumstances that constitute failure to establish and maintain professional boundaries with a patient.

The board may adopt other rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 2005 HB95 09-26-2003

(A) As used in this section, “health-related activities,” “MR/DD personnel,” “prescribed medication,” and “tube feeding” have the same meanings as in section 5123.41 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board of nursing shall adopt rules as it considers necessary to govern nursing delegation as it applies to MR/DD personnel who administer prescribed medications, perform health-related activities, and perform tube feedings pursuant to the authority granted under section 5123.42 of the Revised Code. The board shall not establish in the rules any requirement that is inconsistent with the authority of MR/DD personnel granted under that section. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(C) The board of nursing may accept complaints from any person or government entity regarding the performance or qualifications of MR/DD personnel who administer prescribed medications, perform health-related activities, and perform tube feedings pursuant to the authority granted under section 5123.42 of the Revised Code. The board shall refer all complaints received to the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities. The board may participate in an investigation of a complaint being conducted by the department under section 5123.421 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 03-31-2003

(A) The board of nursing may impose fees not to exceed the following limits:

(1) For application for licensure by examination to practice nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse, seventy-five dollars;

(2) For application for licensure by endorsement to practice nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse, seventy-five dollars;

(3) For application for a certificate of authority to practice nursing as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner, one hundred dollars;

(4) For application for a temporary dialysis technician certificate, the amount specified in rules adopted under section 4723.79 of the Revised Code;

(5) For application for a full dialysis technician certificate, the amount specified in rules adopted under section 4723.79 of the Revised Code;

(6) For application for a certificate to prescribe, fifty dollars;

(7) For verification of a nursing license, certificate of authority, or dialysis technician certificate to another jurisdiction, fifteen dollars;

(8) For providing a replacement copy of a nursing license, certificate of authority, certificate to prescribe, dialysis technician certificate, intravenous therapy card, or frameable certificate, twenty-five dollars;

(9) For biennial renewal of a nursing license that expires on or after August 31, 2003, but before January 1, 2004, forty-five dollars;

(10) For biennial renewal of a nursing license that expires on or after January 1, 2004, sixty-five dollars;

(11) For biennial renewal of a certificate of authority to practice nursing as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse mid-wife, or certified nurse practitioner that expires on or before August 31, 2005, one hundred dollars;

(12) For biennial renewal of a certificate of authority to practice nursing as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner that expires on or after September 1, 2005, eighty-five dollars;

(13) For renewal of a certificate to prescribe, fifty dollars;

(14) For biennial renewal of a dialysis technician certificate, the amount specified in rules adopted under section 4723.79 of the Revised Code;

(15) For processing a late application for renewal of a nursing license, certificate of authority, or dialysis technician certificate, fifty dollars;

(16) For application for authorization to approve continuing nursing education programs and courses from an applicant accredited by a national accreditation system for nursing, five hundred dollars;

(17) For application for authorization to approve continuing nursing education programs and courses from an applicant not accredited by a national accreditation system for nursing, one thousand dollars;

(18) For each year for which authorization to approve continuing nursing education programs and courses is renewed, one hundred fifty dollars;

(19) For application for approval to operate a dialysis training program, the amount specified in rules adopted under section 4723.79 of the Revised Code;

(20) For reinstatement of a lapsed nursing license, certificate of authority, or dialysis technician certificate, one hundred dollars;

(21) For written verification of a nursing license, certificate of authority, or dialysis technician certificate, when the verification is performed for purposes other than providing verification to another jurisdiction, five dollars;

(22) For processing a check returned to the board by a financial institution as noncollectible, twenty-five dollars;

(23) For issuance of an intravenous therapy card for which a fee may be charged under section 4723.17 of the Revised Code, twenty-five dollars;

(24) For out-of-state survey visits of nursing education programs operating in Ohio, two thousand dollars;

(25) The amounts specified in rules adopted under section 4723.88 of the Revised Code pertaining to the issuance of certificates to community health workers, including fees for application for a certificate, verification of a certificate to another jurisdiction, written verification of a certificate when the verification is performed for purposes other than verification to another jurisdiction, providing a replacement copy of a certificate, biennial renewal of a certificate, processing a late application for renewal of a certificate, reinstatement of a lapsed certificate, application for approval of a community health worker training program for community health workers, and biennial renewal of the approval of a training program for community health workers.

(B) Each quarter, for purposes of transferring funds under section 4743.05 of the Revised Code to the nurse education assistance fund created in section 3333.28 of the Revised Code, the board of nursing shall certify to the director of budget and management the number of biennial licenses renewed under this chapter during the preceding quarter and the amount equal to that number times five dollars.

(C) The board may charge a participant in a board-sponsored continuing education activity an amount not exceeding fifteen dollars for each activity.

(D) The board may contract for services pertaining to the process of providing written verification of a nursing license, certificate of authority, dialysis technician certificate, or community health worker certificate when the verification is performed for purposes other than providing verification to another jurisdiction. The contract may include provisions pertaining to the collection of the fee charged for providing the written verification. As part of these provisions, the board may permit the contractor to retain a portion of the fees as compensation, before any amounts are deposited into the state treasury.

Effective Date: 06-26-2003

The board of nursing, subject to the approval of the controlling board, may establish fees in excess of the amounts provided by section 4723.08 of the Revised Code, provided that such fees do not exceed those amounts by more than fifty per cent.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001

(A) Except as provided in section 4723.062 of the Revised Code and division (B) of this section, all receipts of the board of nursing, from any source, shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the occupational licensing and regulatory fund.

(B) All receipts from board-sponsored continuing education activities shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the special nursing issue fund created by section 4723.062 of the Revised Code.

(C) All vouchers of the board shall be approved by the board president or executive director, or both, as authorized by the board.

Effective Date: 06-26-2003

(A)(1) An application for licensure by examination to practice as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse shall be submitted to the board of nursing in the form prescribed by rules of the board. The application shall include evidence that the applicant has completed requirements of a nursing education program approved by the board or approved by another jurisdiction’s board that regulates nurse licensure. The application also shall include any other information required by rules of the board. The application shall be accompanied by the application fee required by section 4723.08 of the Revised Code.

(2) The board shall grant a license to practice nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse if all of the following apply:

(a) For all applicants, the applicant passes the examination accepted by the board under section 4723.10 of the Revised Code.

(b) For an applicant who entered a prelicensure nursing education program on or after June 1, 2003, the criminal records check of the applicant that is completed by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation and includes a check of federal bureau of investigation records and that the bureau submits to the board indicates that the applicant has not been convicted of, has not pleaded guilty to, and has not had a judicial finding of guilt for violating section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.11, 2905.01, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2909.02, 2911.01, or 2911.11 of the Revised Code or a substantially similar law of another state, the United States, or another country.

(c) For all applicants, the board determines that the applicant has not committed any act that is grounds for disciplinary action under section 3123.47 or 4723.28 of the Revised Code or determines that an applicant who has committed any act that is grounds for disciplinary action under either section has made restitution or has been rehabilitated, or both.

(3) The board is not required to afford an adjudication to an individual to whom it has refused to grant a license because of that individual’s failure to pass the examination.

(B) An application for license by endorsement to practice nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse shall be submitted to the board in the form prescribed by rules of the board and shall be accompanied by the application fee required by section 4723.08 of the Revised Code. The application shall include evidence that the applicant holds a license in good standing in another jurisdiction granted after passing an examination approved by the board of that jurisdiction that is equivalent to the examination requirements under this chapter for a license to practice nursing as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse and shall include other information required by rules of the board of nursing. The board shall grant a license by endorsement if the applicant is licensed or certified by another jurisdiction and the board determines, pursuant to rules established under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code, that all of the following apply:

(1) For all applicants, the educational preparation of the applicant is substantially similar to the minimum curricula and standards for nursing education programs established by the board under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code.

(2) For all applicants, the examination, at the time it is successfully completed, is equivalent to the examination requirements in effect at that time for applicants who were licensed by examination in this state.

(3) For all applicants, the criminal records check of the applicant that is completed by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation and includes a check of federal bureau of investigation records and that the bureau submits to the board indicates that the applicant has not been convicted of, has not pleaded guilty to, and has not had a judicial finding of guilt for violating section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.11, 2905.01, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2909.02, 2911.01, or 2911.11 of the Revised Code or a substantially similar law of another state, the United States, or another country.

(4) For all applicants, the applicant has not committed any act that is grounds for disciplinary action under section 3123.47, 4723.28, or 4723.281 of the Revised Code, or the board determines that an applicant who has committed any act that is grounds for disciplinary action under any of those sections has made restitution or has been rehabilitated, or both.

The board may grant a nonrenewable temporary permit to practice nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse to an applicant for license by endorsement if the board is satisfied by the evidence that the applicant holds a current, active license in good standing in another jurisdiction. Subject to earlier automatic termination as described in this paragraph, the temporary permit shall expire at the earlier of one hundred eighty days after issuance or upon the issuance of a license by endorsement. The temporary permit shall terminate automatically if the criminal records check completed by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation as described in this section regarding the applicant indicates that the applicant previously has been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or had a judicial finding of guilt for a violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.11, 2905.01, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2909.02, 2911.01, or 2911.11 of the Revised Code or a substantially similar law of another state, the United States, or another country. An applicant whose temporary permit is automatically terminated is permanently prohibited from obtaining a license to practice nursing in this state as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse.

(C) An applicant under this section shall submit a request to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation for a criminal records check of the applicant. The request shall be on the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code, accompanied by a standard impression sheet to obtain fingerprints prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of that section, and accompanied by the fee prescribed pursuant to division (C)(3) of that section. Upon receipt of the completed form, the completed impression sheet, and the fee, the bureau shall conduct a criminal records check of the applicant. Upon completion of the criminal records check, the bureau shall send the results of the check to the board. An applicant requesting a criminal records check under this division shall ask the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation to also request the federal bureau of investigation to provide the superintendent with any information it has with respect to the applicant.

The results of any criminal records check conducted pursuant to a request made under this section, and any report containing those results, are not public records for purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and shall not be made available to any person or for any purpose other than the following:

(1) The results may be made available to any person for use in determining under this section and division (N) of section 4723.28 of the Revised Code whether the individual who is the subject of the check should be granted a license to practice nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse or whether any temporary permit granted to the individual under this section has terminated automatically.

(2) The results may be made available to the individual who is the subject of the check or that individual’s representative.

Effective Date: 07-08-2002

With respect to individuals applying for licensure by examination, the board of nursing shall accept all or any part of the licensure examination of the national council of state boards of nursing or any other national standardized nursing examination that the board considers to be an appropriate measure of whether a person is competent to commence practicing nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse. If the board incurs any cost in its acceptance of an examination under this section or in making the accepted examination available to applicants, the board may require applicants for licensure by examination to pay an amount sufficient to cover the cost incurred.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001

Effective Date: 06-14-1988

(A) A certificate of registration to practice professional nursing as a registered nurse issued by the state nurses board or the board of nursing education and nurse registration under former provisions of this chapter or by the nurses’ examining committee of the state medical board as provided in former sections 1295-01 to 1295-20 and 1347 et seq. of the General Code shall remain valid and shall confer the same privileges and impose the same responsibilities and requirements as a license issued by the board of nursing under this chapter on or after June 14, 1988.

(B) A license to practice practical nursing as a licensed practical nurse issued by the board of nursing education and nurse registration under former provisions of this chapter shall remain valid and shall confer the same privileges and impose the same responsibilities and requirements as a license issued by the board of nursing under this chapter on or after June 14, 1988.

(C) Any person who on June 14, 1988, holds a current, valid certificate or license to practice nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse in this state shall, for the purposes of this chapter, be deemed to hold a license.

(D) Any licensed practical nurse who on June 14, 1988, holds proof of successful completion of a course in medication administration approved by the board of nursing shall be considered to be qualified to administer medication as defined in division (F)(3) of section 4723.01 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001

(A) Medical diagnosis, prescription of medical measures, and the practice of medicine or surgery or any of its branches by a nurse are prohibited.

(B) Division (A) of this section does not prohibit a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner from practicing within the nurse’s scope of practice in accordance with section 4723.43 of the Revised Code. Division (A) of this section does not prohibit a clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner who holds a certificate to prescribe issued under section 4723.48 of the Revised Code from prescribing drugs and therapeutic devices in accordance with section 4723.481 of the Revised Code.

(C) Notwithstanding division (B) of this section, nothing in this chapter shall be construed as authorizing any nurse to prescribe any drug or device to perform or induce an abortion, or to otherwise perform or induce an abortion.

Effective Date: 05-17-2000

(A) An individual whom the board of nursing licenses, certificates, or otherwise legally authorizes to engage in the practice of nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse may render the professional services of a registered or licensed practical nurse within this state through a corporation formed under division (B) of section 1701.03 of the Revised Code, a limited liability company formed under Chapter 1705. of the Revised Code, a partnership, or a professional association formed under Chapter 1785. of the Revised Code. This division does not preclude an individual of that nature from rendering professional services as a registered or licensed practical nurse through another form of business entity, including, but not limited to, a nonprofit corporation or foundation, or in another manner that is authorized by or in accordance with this chapter, another chapter of the Revised Code, or rules of the board of nursing adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(B) A corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or professional association described in division (A) of this section may be formed for the purpose of providing a combination of the professional services of the following individuals who are licensed, certificated, or otherwise legally authorized to practice their respective professions:

(1) Optometrists who are authorized to practice optometry under Chapter 4725. of the Revised Code;

(2) Chiropractors who are authorized to practice chiropractic or acupuncture under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code;

(3) Psychologists who are authorized to practice psychology under Chapter 4732. of the Revised Code;

(4) Registered or licensed practical nurses who are authorized to practice nursing as registered nurses or as licensed practical nurses under this chapter;

(5) Pharmacists who are authorized to practice pharmacy under Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code;

(6) Physical therapists who are authorized to practice physical therapy under sections 4755.40 to 4755.56 of the Revised Code;

(7) Occupational therapists who are licensed to practice occupational therapy under sections 4755.04 to 4755.13 of the Revised Code;

(8) Mechanotherapists who are authorized to practice mechanotherapy under section 4731.151 of the Revised Code;

(9) Doctors of medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric medicine and surgery who are licensed, certificated, or otherwise legally authorized for their respective practices under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code.

This division shall apply notwithstanding a provision of a code of ethics applicable to a nurse that prohibits a registered or licensed practical nurse from engaging in the practice of nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse in combination with a person who is licensed, certificated, or otherwise legally authorized to practice optometry, chiropractic, acupuncture through the state chiropractic board, psychology, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, mechanotherapy, medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric medicine and surgery, but who is not also licensed, certificated, or otherwise legally authorized to engage in the practice of nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse.

Effective Date: 03-22-1999; 04-06-2007; 2007 HB119 08-22-2007

(A) The board of nursing may authorize a licensed practical nurse to administer to an adult intravenous therapy authorized by an individual who is authorized to practice in this state and is acting within the course of the individual’s professional practice, if the licensed practical nurse has a current, valid license issued under this chapter that includes authorization to administer medications and one of the following is the case:

(1) The nurse has successfully completed, within a practical nurse prelicensure education program approved by the board or by another jurisdiction’s agency that regulates the practice of nursing, a course of study that prepares the nurse to safely perform the intravenous therapy procedures the board may authorize under this section. To meet this requirement, the course of study must include all of the following:

(a) Both didactic and clinical components;

(b) Curriculum requirements established in rules the board of nursing shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code;

(c) Standards that require the nurse to perform a successful demonstration of the intravenous procedures, including all skills needed to perform them safely.

(2) The nurse has successfully completed a minimum of forty hours of training that includes all of the following:

(a) The curriculum established by rules adopted by the board and in effect on January 1, 1999;

(b) Training in the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, signs and symptoms of local and systemic complications in the administration of fluids and antibiotic additives, and guidelines for management of these complications;

(c) Any other training or instruction the board considers appropriate.

(d) A testing component that requires the nurse to perform a successful demonstration of the intravenous procedures, including all skills needed to perform them safely.

(B) Except as provided in section 4723.171 of the Revised Code, a licensed practical nurse may perform intravenous therapy only if authorized by the board pursuant to division (A) of this section and only if it is performed in accordance with this section.

A licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may perform an intravenous therapy procedure only at the direction of one of the following:

(1) A licensed physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist who, except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, is present and readily available at the facility where the intravenous therapy procedure is performed;

(2) A registered nurse in accordance with division (C) of this section.

(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section and section 4723.171 of the Revised Code, when a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy performs an intravenous therapy procedure at the direction of a registered nurse, the registered nurse or another registered nurse shall be readily available at the site where the intravenous therapy is performed, and before the licensed practical nurse initiates the intravenous therapy, the registered nurse shall personally perform an on-site assessment of the individual who is to receive the intravenous therapy.

(2) When a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy performs an intravenous therapy procedure in a home as defined in section 3721.10 of the Revised Code, or in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded as defined in section 5111.20 of the Revised Code, at the direction of a registered nurse or licensed physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist, a registered nurse shall be on the premises of the home or facility or accessible by some form of telecommunication.

(D) No licensed practical nurse shall perform any of the following intravenous therapy procedures:

(1) Initiating or maintaining any of the following:

(a) Blood or blood components;

(b) Solutions for total parenteral nutrition;

(c) Any cancer therapeutic medication including, but not limited to, cancer chemotherapy or an anti-neoplastic agent;

(d) Solutions administered through any central venous line or arterial line or any other line that does not terminate in a peripheral vein, except that a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may maintain the solutions specified in division (D)(6)(a) of this section that are being administered through a central venous line or peripherally inserted central catheter;

(e) Any investigational or experimental medication.

(2) Initiating intravenous therapy in any vein, except that a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may initiate intravenous therapy in accordance with this section in a vein of the hand, forearm, or antecubital fossa;

(3) Discontinuing a central venous, arterial, or any other line that does not terminate in a peripheral vein;

(4) Initiating or discontinuing a peripherally inserted central catheter;

(5) Mixing, preparing, or reconstituting any medication for intravenous therapy, except that a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may prepare or reconstitute an antibiotic additive;

(6) Administering medication via the intravenous route, including all of the following activities:

(a) Adding medication to an intravenous solution or to an existing infusion, except that a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may do either of the following:

(i) Initiate an intravenous infusion containing one or more of the following elements: dextrose 5%; normal saline; lactated ringers; sodium chloride .45%; sodium chloride 0.2%; sterile water.

(ii) Hang subsequent containers of the intravenous solutions specified in division (D)(6)(a) of this section that contain vitamins or electrolytes, if a registered nurse initiated the infusion of that same intravenous solution.

(b) Initiating or maintaining an intravenous piggyback infusion, except that a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may initiate or maintain an intravenous piggyback infusion containing an antibiotic additive;

(c) Injecting medication via a direct intravenous route, except that a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may inject heparin or normal saline to flush an intermittent infusion device or heparin lock including, but not limited to, bolus or push.

(7) Aspirating any intravenous line to maintain patency;

(8) Changing tubing on any line including, but not limited to, an arterial line or a central venous line, except that a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may change tubing on an intravenous line that terminates in a peripheral vein;

(9) Programming or setting any function of a patient controlled infusion pump.

(E) Notwithstanding division (D) of this section, at the direction of a physician or a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may perform the following activities for the purpose of performing dialysis:

(1) The routine administration and regulation of saline solution for the purpose of maintaining an established fluid plan;

(2) The administration of a heparin dose intravenously;

(3) The administration of a heparin dose peripherally via a fistula needle;

(4) The loading and activation of a constant infusion pump or the intermittent injection of a dose of medication prescribed by a licensed physician for dialysis.

(F) No person shall employ or direct a licensed practical nurse to perform an intravenous therapy procedure without first verifying that the licensed practical nurse is authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy.

(G) The board shall issue an intravenous therapy card to the licensed practical nurses authorized pursuant to division (A) of this section to perform intravenous therapy. A fee for issuing the card shall not be charged under section 4723.08 of the Revised Code if the licensed practical nurse receives the card by meeting the requirements of division (A)(1) of this section. The board shall maintain a registry of the names of licensed practical nurses who hold intravenous therapy cards.

Effective Date: 06-26-2003

(A) A licensed practical nurse may perform on any person any of the intravenous therapy procedures specified in division (B) of this section without receiving authorization to perform intravenous therapy from the board of nursing under section 4723.17 of the Revised Code, if both of the following apply:

(1) The licensed practical nurse acts at the direction of a registered nurse or a licensed physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist and the registered nurse, physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist is on the premises where the procedure is to be performed or accessible by some form of telecommunication.

(2) The licensed practical nurse can demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the procedure safely.

(B) The intravenous therapy procedures that a licensed practical nurse may perform pursuant to division (A) of this section are limited to the following:

(1) Verification of the type of peripheral intravenous solution being administered;

(2) Examination of a peripheral infusion site and the extremity for possible infiltration;

(3) Regulation of a peripheral intravenous infusion according to the prescribed flow rate;

(4) Discontinuation of a peripheral intravenous device at the appropriate time;

(5) Performance of routine dressing changes at the insertion site of a peripheral venous or arterial infusion, peripherally inserted central catheter infusion, or central venous pressure subclavian infusion.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001

Effective Date: 06-14-1988

(A) All active licenses issued under this chapter shall be renewed biennially according to a schedule established by the board of nursing. The board shall provide an application for renewal to every holder of an active license, except when the board is aware that an individual is ineligible for license renewal for any reason, including pending criminal charges in this state or another jurisdiction, failure to comply with a disciplinary order from the board or the terms of a consent agreement entered into with the board, failure to pay fines or fees owed to the board, or failure to provide on the board’s request documentation of having completed the continuing nursing education requirements specified in division (C) of this section.

If the board provides a renewal application by mail, the application shall be addressed to the last known post-office address of the holder and mailed before the date specified in the board’s schedule. Failure of the holder to receive an application for renewal from the board shall not excuse the holder from the requirements contained in this section.

The license holder shall complete the renewal form and return it to the treasurer of state with the renewal fee required by section 4723.08 of the Revised Code on or before the date specified by the board. The license holder shall report any conviction, plea, or judicial finding regarding a criminal offense that constitutes grounds for the board to impose sanctions under section 4723.28 of the Revised Code since the holder last submitted an application to the board.

The treasurer shall immediately forward the renewal application to the board. On receipt of the renewal application, the board shall verify that the applicant meets the renewal requirements and shall renew the license for the following two-year period.

If a renewal application that meets the renewal requirements is submitted after the date specified in the board’s schedule, but before expiration of the license, the board shall grant a renewal upon payment of the late renewal fee authorized under section 4723.08 of the Revised Code.

(B) Every license holder shall give written notice to the board of any change of name or address within thirty days of the change. The board shall require the holder to document a change of name in a manner acceptable to the board.

(C)(1) Except in the case of a first renewal after licensure by examination, to be eligible for renewal of an active license to practice nursing as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, each individual who holds an active license shall, in each two-year period specified by the board, complete continuing nursing education as follows:

(a) For renewal of a license that was issued for a two-year renewal period, twenty-four hours of continuing nursing education;

(b) For renewal of a license that was issued for less than a two-year renewal period, the number of hours of continuing nursing education specified by the board in rules adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code;

(c) Of the hours of continuing nursing education completed in any renewal period, at least one hour of the education must be directly related to the statutes and rules pertaining to the practice of nursing in this state.

(2) The board shall adopt rules establishing the procedure for a license holder to certify to the board completion of the required continuing nursing education. The board may conduct a random sample of license holders and require that the license holders included in the sample submit satisfactory documentation of having completed the requirements for continuing nursing education. On the board’s request, a license holder included in the sample shall submit the required documentation.

(3) An educational activity may be applied toward meeting the continuing nursing education requirement only if it is obtained through a program or course approved by the board or a person the board has authorized to approve continuing nursing education programs and courses.

(4) The continuing education required of a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner to obtain or maintain certification by a national certifying organization shall be applied toward the continuing education requirements for renewal of a license to practice nursing as a registered nurse.

(D) Except as otherwise provided in section 4723.28 of the Revised Code, a license holder who does not intend to practice in Ohio may send to the board written notice to that effect on or before the renewal date, and the board shall classify the license as inactive. During the period that the license is classified as inactive, the holder may not engage in the practice of nursing in Ohio and is not required to pay the renewal fee.

The holder of an inactive license or an individual who has failed to renew the individual’s license may have the license restored or renewed upon meeting the requirements for restoring and renewing licenses established in rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001

The board of nursing shall approve one or more continuing education courses of study that comply with divisions (E) and (F) of section 4723.07 of the Revised Code and that assist registered nurses and licensed practical nurses in recognizing the signs of domestic violence and its relationship to child abuse. Nurses are not required to take the courses.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001

Effective Date: 06-14-1988

The board of nursing shall provide a replacement copy of a nursing license, certificate of authority, dialysis technician certificate, or community health worker certificate issued under this chapter upon request of the holder accompanied by proper identification as prescribed in rules adopted by the board and payment of the fee authorized under section 4723.08 of the Revised Code.

Upon request of the holder of a nursing license, certificate of authority, dialysis technician certificate, or community health worker certificate issued under this chapter and payment of the fee authorized under section 4723.08 of the Revised Code, the board shall verify to an agency of another jurisdiction or foreign country the fact that the person holds such nursing license, certificate of authority, dialysis technician certificate, or community health worker certificate.

Effective Date: 09-26-2003

(A) The board of nursing, by a vote of a quorum, may revoke or may refuse to grant a nursing license, certificate of authority, or dialysis technician certificate to a person found by the board to have committed fraud in passing an examination required to obtain the license, certificate of authority, or dialysis technician certificate or to have committed fraud, misrepresentation, or deception in applying for or securing any nursing license, certificate of authority, or dialysis technician certificate issued by the board.

(B) Subject to division (N) of this section, the board of nursing, by a vote of a quorum, may impose one or more of the following sanctions: deny, revoke, suspend, or place restrictions on any nursing license, certificate of authority, or dialysis technician certificate issued by the board; reprimand or otherwise discipline a holder of a nursing license, certificate of authority, or dialysis technician certificate; or impose a fine of not more than five hundred dollars per violation. The sanctions may be imposed for any of the following:

(1) Denial, revocation, suspension, or restriction of authority to practice a health care occupation, including nursing or practice as a dialysis technician, for any reason other than a failure to renew, in Ohio or another state or jurisdiction;

(2) Engaging in the practice of nursing or engaging in practice as a dialysis technician, having failed to renew a nursing license or dialysis technician certificate issued under this chapter, or while a nursing license or dialysis technician certificate is under suspension;

(3) Conviction of, a plea of guilty to, a judicial finding of guilt of, a judicial finding of guilt resulting from a plea of no contest to, or a judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu of conviction for, a misdemeanor committed in the course of practice;

(4) Conviction of, a plea of guilty to, a judicial finding of guilt of, a judicial finding of guilt resulting from a plea of no contest to, or a judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu of conviction for, any felony or of any crime involving gross immorality or moral turpitude;

(5) Selling, giving away, or administering drugs or therapeutic devices for other than legal and legitimate therapeutic purposes; or conviction of, a plea of guilty to, a judicial finding of guilt of, a judicial finding of guilt resulting from a plea of no contest to, or a judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu of conviction for, violating any municipal, state, county, or federal drug law;

(6) Conviction of, a plea of guilty to, a judicial finding of guilt of, a judicial finding of guilt resulting from a plea of no contest to, or a judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu of conviction for, an act in another jurisdiction that would constitute a felony or a crime of moral turpitude in Ohio;

(7) Conviction of, a plea of guilty to, a judicial finding of guilt of, a judicial finding of guilt resulting from a plea of no contest to, or a judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu of conviction for, an act in the course of practice in another jurisdiction that would constitute a misdemeanor in Ohio;

(8) Self-administering or otherwise taking into the body any dangerous drug, as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code, in any way not in accordance with a legal, valid prescription issued for that individual;

(9) Habitual indulgence in the use of controlled substances, other habit-forming drugs, or alcohol or other chemical substances to an extent that impairs ability to practice;

(10) Impairment of the ability to practice according to acceptable and prevailing standards of safe nursing care because of habitual or excessive use of drugs, alcohol, or other chemical substances that impair the ability to practice;

(11) Impairment of the ability to practice according to acceptable and prevailing standards of safe nursing care because of a physical or mental disability;

(12) Assaulting or causing harm to a patient or depriving a patient of the means to summon assistance;

(13) Obtaining or attempting to obtain money or anything of value by intentional misrepresentation or material deception in the course of practice;

(14) Adjudication by a probate court of being mentally ill or mentally incompetent. The board may restore the person’s nursing license or dialysis technician certificate upon adjudication by a probate court of the person’s restoration to competency or upon submission to the board of other proof of competency.

(15) The suspension or termination of employment by the department of defense or the veterans administration of the United States for any act that violates or would violate this chapter;

(16) Violation of this chapter or any rules adopted under it;

(17) Violation of any restrictions placed on a nursing license or dialysis technician certificate by the board;

(18) Failure to use universal blood and body fluid precautions established by rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code;

(19) Failure to practice in accordance with acceptable and prevailing standards of safe nursing care or safe dialysis care;

(20) In the case of a registered nurse, engaging in activities that exceed the practice of nursing as a registered nurse;

(21) In the case of a licensed practical nurse, engaging in activities that exceed the practice of nursing as a licensed practical nurse;

(22) In the case of a dialysis technician, engaging in activities that exceed those permitted under section 4723.72 of the Revised Code;

(23) Aiding and abetting a person in that person’s practice of nursing without a license or practice as a dialysis technician without a certificate issued under this chapter;

(24) In the case of a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner, except as provided in division (M) of this section, either of the following:

(a) Waiving the payment of all or any part of a deductible or copayment that a patient, pursuant to a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan that covers such nursing services, would otherwise be required to pay if the waiver is used as an enticement to a patient or group of patients to receive health care services from that provider;

(b) Advertising that the nurse will waive the payment of all or any part of a deductible or copayment that a patient, pursuant to a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan that covers such nursing services, would otherwise be required to pay.

(25) Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of participation in the chemical dependency monitoring program established under section 4723.35 of the Revised Code;

(26) Failure to comply with the terms and conditions required under the practice intervention and improvement program established under section 4723.282 of the Revised Code;

(27) In the case of a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner:

(a) Engaging in activities that exceed those permitted for the nurse’s nursing specialty under section 4723.43 of the Revised Code;

(b) Failure to meet the quality assurance standards established under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code.

(28) In the case of a clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner, failure to maintain a standard care arrangement in accordance with section 4723.431 of the Revised Code or to practice in accordance with the standard care arrangement;

(29) In the case of a clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner who holds a certificate to prescribe issued under section 4723.48 of the Revised Code, failure to prescribe drugs and therapeutic devices in accordance with section 4723.481 of the Revised Code;

(30) Prescribing any drug or device to perform or induce an abortion, or otherwise performing or inducing an abortion;

(31) Failure to establish and maintain professional boundaries with a patient, as specified in rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code;

(32) Regardless of whether the contact or verbal behavior is consensual, engaging with a patient other than the spouse of the registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or dialysis technician in any of the following:

(a) Sexual contact, as defined in section 2907.01 of the Revised Code;

(b) Verbal behavior that is sexually demeaning to the patient or may be reasonably interpreted by the patient as sexually demeaning.

(33) Assisting suicide as defined in section 3795.01 of the Revised Code.

(C) Disciplinary actions taken by the board under divisions (A) and (B) of this section shall be taken pursuant to an adjudication conducted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, except that in lieu of a hearing, the board may enter into a consent agreement with an individual to resolve an allegation of a violation of this chapter or any rule adopted under it. A consent agreement, when ratified by a vote of a quorum, shall constitute the findings and order of the board with respect to the matter addressed in the agreement. If the board refuses to ratify a consent agreement, the admissions and findings contained in the agreement shall be of no effect.

(D) The hearings of the board shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the board may appoint a hearing examiner, as provided in section 119.09 of the Revised Code, to conduct any hearing the board is authorized to hold under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

In any instance in which the board is required under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to give notice of an opportunity for a hearing and the applicant or license holder does not make a timely request for a hearing in accordance with section 119.07 of the Revised Code, the board is not required to hold a hearing, but may adopt, by a vote of a quorum, a final order that contains the board’s findings. In the final order, the board may order any of the sanctions listed in division (A) or (B) of this section.

(E) If a criminal action is brought against a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or dialysis technician for an act or crime described in divisions (B)(3) to (7) of this section and the action is dismissed by the trial court other than on the merits, the board shall conduct an adjudication to determine whether the registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or dialysis technician committed the act on which the action was based. If the board determines on the basis of the adjudication that the registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or dialysis technician committed the act, or if the registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or dialysis technician fails to participate in the adjudication, the board may take action as though the registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or dialysis technician had been convicted of the act.

If the board takes action on the basis of a conviction, plea, or a judicial finding as described in divisions (B)(3) to (7) of this section that is overturned on appeal, the registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or dialysis technician may, on exhaustion of the appeal process, petition the board for reconsideration of its action. On receipt of the petition and supporting court documents, the board shall temporarily rescind its action. If the board determines that the decision on appeal was a decision on the merits, it shall permanently rescind its action. If the board determines that the decision on appeal was not a decision on the merits, it shall conduct an adjudication to determine whether the registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or dialysis technician committed the act on which the original conviction, plea, or judicial finding was based. If the board determines on the basis of the adjudication that the registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or dialysis technician committed such act, or if the registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or dialysis technician does not request an adjudication, the board shall reinstate its action; otherwise, the board shall permanently rescind its action.

Notwithstanding the provision of division (C)(2) of section 2953.32 of the Revised Code specifying that if records pertaining to a criminal case are sealed under that section the proceedings in the case shall be deemed not to have occurred, sealing of the records of a conviction on which the board has based an action under this section shall have no effect on the board’s action or any sanction imposed by the board under this section.

The board shall not be required to seal, destroy, redact, or otherwise modify its records to reflect the court’s sealing of conviction records.

(F) The board may investigate an individual’s criminal background in performing its duties under this section.

(G) During the course of an investigation conducted under this section, the board may compel any registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or dialysis technician or applicant under this chapter to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by the board and at the expense of the individual, if the board finds reason to believe that the individual under investigation may have a physical or mental impairment that may affect the individual’s ability to provide safe nursing care. Failure of any individual to submit to a mental or physical examination when directed constitutes an admission of the allegations, unless the failure is due to circumstances beyond the individual’s control, and a default and final order may be entered without the taking of testimony or presentation of evidence.

If the board finds that an individual is impaired, the board shall require the individual to submit to care, counseling, or treatment approved or designated by the board, as a condition for initial, continued, reinstated, or renewed authority to practice. The individual shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the board that the individual can begin or resume the individual’s occupation in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards of care under the provisions of the individual’s authority to practice.

For purposes of this division, any registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or dialysis technician or applicant under this chapter shall be deemed to have given consent to submit to a mental or physical examination when directed to do so in writing by the board, and to have waived all objections to the admissibility of testimony or examination reports that constitute a privileged communication.

(H) The board shall investigate evidence that appears to show that any person has violated any provision of this chapter or any rule of the board. Any person may report to the board any information the person may have that appears to show a violation of any provision of this chapter or rule of the board. In the absence of bad faith, any person who reports such information or who testifies before the board in any adjudication conducted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code shall not be liable for civil damages as a result of the report or testimony.

(I) All of the following apply under this chapter with respect to the confidentiality of information:

(1) Information received by the board pursuant to an investigation is confidential and not subject to discovery in any civil action, except that the board may disclose information to law enforcement officers and government entities investigating a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or dialysis technician or a person who may have engaged in the unauthorized practice of nursing. No law enforcement officer or government entity with knowledge of any information disclosed by the board pursuant to this division shall divulge the information to any other person or government entity except for the purpose of an adjudication by a court or licensing or registration board or officer to which the person to whom the information relates is a party.

(2) If an investigation requires a review of patient records, the investigation and proceeding shall be conducted in such a manner as to protect patient confidentiality.

(3) All adjudications and investigations of the board shall be considered civil actions for the purposes of section 2305.252 of the Revised Code.

(4) Any board activity that involves continued monitoring of an individual as part of or following any disciplinary action taken under this section shall be conducted in a manner that maintains the individual’s confidentiality. Information received or maintained by the board with respect to the board’s monitoring activities is confidential and not subject to discovery in any civil action.

(J) Any action taken by the board under this section resulting in a suspension from practice shall be accompanied by a written statement of the conditions under which the person may be reinstated to practice.

(K) When the board refuses to grant a license or certificate to an applicant, revokes a license or certificate, or refuses to reinstate a license or certificate, the board may specify that its action is permanent. An individual subject to permanent action taken by the board is forever ineligible to hold a license or certificate of the type that was refused or revoked and the board shall not accept from the individual an application for reinstatement of the license or certificate or for a new license or certificate.

(L) No unilateral surrender of a nursing license, certificate of authority, or dialysis technician certificate issued under this chapter shall be effective unless accepted by majority vote of the board. No application for a nursing license, certificate of authority, or dialysis technician certificate issued under this chapter may be withdrawn without a majority vote of the board. The board’s jurisdiction to take disciplinary action under this section is not removed or limited when an individual has a license or certificate classified as inactive or fails to renew a license or certificate.

(M) Sanctions shall not be imposed under division (B)(24) of this section against any licensee who waives deductibles and copayments as follows:

(1) In compliance with the health benefit plan that expressly allows such a practice. Waiver of the deductibles or copayments shall be made only with the full knowledge and consent of the plan purchaser, payer, and third-party administrator. Documentation of the consent shall be made available to the board upon request.

(2) For professional services rendered to any other person licensed pursuant to this chapter to the extent allowed by this chapter and the rules of the board.

(N)(1) Any person who enters a prelicensure nursing education program on or after June 1, 2003, and who subsequently applies under division (A) of section 4723.09 of the Revised Code for licensure to practice as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse and any person who applies under division (B) of that section for license by endorsement to practice nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse shall submit a request to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation for the bureau to conduct a criminal records check of the applicant and to send the results to the board, in accordance with section 4723.09 of the Revised Code.

The board shall refuse to grant a license to practice nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse under section 4723.09 of the Revised Code to a person who entered a prelicensure nursing education program on or after June 1, 2003, and applied under division (A) of section 4723.09 of the Revised Code for the license or a person who applied under division (B) of that section for the license, if the criminal records check performed in accordance with division (C) of that section indicates that the person has pleaded guilty to, been convicted of, or has had a judicial finding of guilt for violating section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.11, 2905.01, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2909.02, 2911.01, or 2911.11 of the Revised Code or a substantially similar law of another state, the United States, or another country.

(2) Any person who enters a dialysis training program on or after June 1, 2003, and who subsequently applies for a certificate to practice as a dialysis technician shall submit a request to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation for the bureau to conduct a criminal records check of the applicant and to send the results to the board, in accordance with section 4723.75 of the Revised Code.

The board shall refuse to issue a certificate to practice as a dialysis technician under section 4723.75 of the Revised Code to a person who entered a dialysis training program on or after June 1, 2003, and whose criminal records check performed in accordance with division (C) of that section indicates that the person has pleaded guilty to, been convicted of, or has had a judicial finding of guilt for violating section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.11, 2905.01, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2909.02, 2911.01, or 2911.11 of the Revised Code or a substantially similar law of another state, the United States, or another country.

Effective Date: 04-09-2003; 04-07-2005

(A) As used in this section, with regard to offenses committed in Ohio, “aggravated murder,” “murder,” “voluntary manslaughter,” “felonious assault,” “kidnapping,” “rape,” “sexual battery,” “gross sexual imposition,” “aggravated arson,” “aggravated robbery,” and “aggravated burglary” mean such offenses as defined in Title XXIX [29] of the Revised Code; with regard to offenses committed in other jurisdictions, the terms mean offenses comparable to offenses defined in Title XXIX [29] of the Revised Code.

(B) When there is clear and convincing evidence that continued practice by an individual licensed under this chapter presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public, as determined on consideration of the evidence by the president and the executive director of the board of nursing, the president and director shall impose on the individual a summary suspension without a hearing. An individual serving as president or executive director in the absence of the president or executive director may take any action that this section requires or authorizes the president or executive director to take.

Immediately following the decision to impose a summary suspension, the board shall issue a written order of suspension and cause it to be delivered by certified mail or in person in accordance with section 119.07 of the Revised Code. The order shall not be subject to suspension by the court during the pendency of any appeal filed under section 119.12 of the Revised Code. If the individual subject to the suspension requests an adjudication, the date set for the adjudication shall be within fifteen days but not earlier than seven days after the individual makes the request, unless another date is agreed to by both the individual and the board. The summary suspension shall remain in effect, unless reversed by the board, until a final adjudication order issued by the board pursuant to this section and Chapter 119. of the Revised Code becomes effective.

The board shall issue its final adjudication order within ninety days after completion of the adjudication. If the board does not issue a final order within the ninety-day period, the summary suspension shall be void, but any final adjudication order issued subsequent to the ninety-day period shall not be affected.

(C) The license or certificate issued to an individual under this chapter is automatically suspended on that individual’s conviction of, plea of guilty to, or judicial finding with regard to any of the following: aggravated murder, murder, voluntary manslaughter, felonious assault, kidnapping, rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, aggravated arson, aggravated robbery, or aggravated burglary. The suspension shall remain in effect from the date of the conviction, plea, or finding until an adjudication is held under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. If the board has knowledge that an automatic suspension has occurred, it shall notify the individual subject to the suspension. If the individual is notified and either fails to request an adjudication within the time periods established by Chapter 119. of the Revised Code or fails to participate in the adjudication, the board shall enter a final order permanently revoking the person’s license or certificate.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001

(A) As used in this section, “practice deficiency” means any activity that does not meet acceptable and prevailing standards of safe and effective nursing care or dialysis care.

(B) The board of nursing may abstain from taking disciplinary action under section 4723.28 of the Revised Code against the holder of a license or certificate issued under this chapter who has a practice deficiency that has been identified by the board through an investigation conducted under section 4723.28 of the Revised Code. The board may abstain from taking action only if the board has reason to believe that the individual’s practice deficiency can be corrected through remediation, and if the individual enters into an agreement with the board to seek remediation as prescribed by the board, complies with the terms and conditions of the remediation, and successfully completes the remediation. If an individual fails to complete the remediation or the board determines that remediation cannot correct the individual’s practice deficiency, the board shall proceed with disciplinary action in accordance with section 4723.28 of the Revised Code.

(C) To implement its authority under this section to abstain from taking disciplinary action, the board shall establish a practice intervention and improvement program. The board shall designate an administrator to operate the program and, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, adopt rules for the program that establish the following:

(1) Criteria for use in identifying an individual’s practice deficiency;

(2) Requirements that an individual must meet to be eligible for remediation and the board’s abstention from disciplinary action;

(3) Standards and procedures for prescribing remediation that is appropriate for an individual’s identified practice deficiency;

(4) Terms and conditions that an individual must meet to be successful in completing the remediation prescribed;

(5) Procedures for the board’s monitoring of the individual’s remediation;

(6) Procedures for maintaining confidential records regarding individuals who participate in remediation;

(7) Any other requirements or procedures necessary to develop and administer the program.

(D) All records held by the board for purposes of the program shall be confidential, are not public records for purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code, and are not subject to discovery by subpoena or admissible as evidence in any judicial proceeding. The administrator of the program shall maintain all records in the board’s office in accordance with the board’s record retention schedule.

(E) When an individual begins the remediation prescribed by the board, the individual shall sign a waiver permitting any entity that provides services related to the remediation to release to the board information regarding the individual’s progress. An entity that provides services related to remediation shall report to the board if the individual fails to complete the remediation or does not make satisfactory progress in remediation.

In the absence of fraud or bad faith, an entity that reports to the board regarding an individual’s practice deficiency, or progress or lack of progress in remediation, is not liable in damages to any person as a result of making the report.

(F) An individual participating in remediation prescribed under this section is responsible for all financial obligations that may arise from obtaining or completing the remediation.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001

In addition to the powers conferred upon the board of nursing by Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the board may subpoena witnesses and require their attendance, require the testimony of witnesses and require the production by witnesses of books, papers, public records, and other documentary evidence, and examine them as it may require in relation to any matter which it has authority to investigate, inquire into, or hear.

A subpoena for patient record information shall be issued only upon approval of the executive director of the board, and the president or another member of the board designated by the president, in consultation with the office of the attorney general. Before issuance of any such subpoena, the executive director and the office of the attorney general shall determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the complaint filed alleges a violation of this chapter or any rule of the board, that the records sought are relevant to the alleged violation and material to the investigation, and that the records cover a reasonable period of time surrounding the alleged violation.

Upon failure to comply with any subpoena issued by the board and after reasonable notice to the person being subpoenaed, the board may move for an order compelling the production of persons or records pursuant to Ohio rules of civil procedure.

Each officer who serves such subpoena shall receive the same fees as a sheriff, and each witness who appears, in obedience to a subpoena, before the board, shall receive the fees and mileage provided for witnesses in civil cases in courts of common pleas.

Effective Date: 06-14-1988

Effective Date: 06-14-1988

Effective Date: 04-10-2001

This chapter does not prohibit any of the following:

(A) The practice of nursing by a student currently enrolled in and actively pursuing completion of a prelicensure nursing education program, if all of the following are the case:

(1) The student is participating in a program located in this state and approved by the board of nursing or participating in this state in a component of a program located in another jurisdiction and approved by a board that is a member of the national council of state boards of nursing;

(2) The student’s practice is under the auspices of the program;

(3) The student acts under the supervision of a registered nurse serving for the program as a faculty member or teaching assistant.

(B) The rendering of medical assistance to a licensed physician, licensed dentist, or licensed podiatrist by a person under the direction, supervision, and control of such licensed physician, dentist, or podiatrist;

(C) The activities of persons employed as nursing aides, attendants, orderlies, or other auxiliary workers in patient homes, nurseries, nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, or other similar institutions;

(D) The provision of nursing services to family members or in emergency situations;

(E) The care of the sick when done in connection with the practice of religious tenets of any church and by or for its members;

(F) The practice of nursing as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner by a student currently enrolled in and actively pursuing completion of a program of study leading to initial authorization by the board of nursing to practice nursing in the specialty, if all of the following are the case:

(1) The program qualifies the student to sit for the examination of a national certifying organization listed in division (A)(3) of section 4723.41 of the Revised Code or approved by the board under section 4723.46 of the Revised Code or the program prepares the student to receive a master’s degree in accordance with division (A)(2) of section 4723.41 of the Revised Code;

(2) The student’s practice is under the auspices of the program;

(3) The student acts under the supervision of a registered nurse serving for the program as a faculty member, teaching assistant, or preceptor.

(G) The activities of an individual who currently holds a license to practice nursing in another jurisdiction, if the individual’s license has not been revoked, the individual is not currently under suspension or on probation, the individual does not represent the individual as being licensed under this chapter, and one of the following is the case:

(1) The individual is engaging in the practice of nursing by discharging official duties while employed by or under contract with the United States government or any agency thereof;

(2) The individual is engaging in the practice of nursing as an employee of an individual, agency, or corporation located in the other jurisdiction in a position with employment responsibilities that include transporting patients into, out of, or through this state, as long as each trip in this state does not exceed seventy-two hours;

(3) The individual is consulting with an individual licensed in this state to practice any health-related profession;

(4) The individual is engaging in activities associated with teaching in this state as a guest lecturer at or for a nursing education program, continuing nursing education program, or in-service presentation;

(5) The individual is conducting evaluations of nursing care that are undertaken on behalf of an accrediting organization, including the national league for nursing accrediting committee, the joint commission on accreditation of healthcare organizations, or any other nationally recognized accrediting organization;

(6) The individual is providing nursing care to an individual who is in this state on a temporary basis, not to exceed six months in any one calendar year, if the nurse is directly employed by or under contract with the individual or a guardian or other person acting on the individual’s behalf;

(7) The individual is providing nursing care during any disaster, natural or otherwise, that has been officially declared to be a disaster by a public announcement issued by an appropriate federal, state, county, or municipal official.

(H) The administration of medication by an individual who holds a valid medication aide certificate issued under this chapter, if the medication is administered to a resident of a nursing home or residential care facility authorized by section 4723.63 or 4723.64 of the Revised Code to use a certified medication aide and the medication is administered in accordance with section 4723.67 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 09-05-2001; 06-30-2005; 03-30-2007; 2007 HB119 09-29-2007

A registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, dialysis technician, community health worker, or medication aide who in good faith makes a report under this chapter or any other provision of the Revised Code regarding a violation of this chapter or any other provision of the Revised Code, or participates in any investigation, administrative proceeding, or judicial proceeding resulting from the report, has the full protection against retaliatory action provided by sections 4113.51 to 4113.53 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001; 06-30-2005

(A) Reports to the board of nursing shall be made as follows:

(1) Every employer of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, or dialysis technicians shall report to the board of nursing the name of any current or former employee who holds a nursing license or dialysis technician certificate issued under this chapter who has engaged in conduct that would be grounds for disciplinary action by the board under section 4723.28 of the Revised Code.

Every employer of certified community health workers shall report to the board the name of any current or former employee who holds a community health worker certificate issued under this chapter who has engaged in conduct that would be grounds for disciplinary action by the board under section 4723.86 of the Revised Code.

Every employer of medication aides shall report to the board the name of any current or former employee who holds a medication aide certificate issued under this chapter who has engaged in conduct that would be grounds for disciplinary action by the board under section 4723.652 of the Revised Code.

(2) Nursing associations shall report to the board the name of any registered nurse or licensed practical nurse and dialysis technician associations shall report to the board the name of any dialysis technician who has been investigated and found to constitute a danger to the public health, safety, and welfare because of conduct that would be grounds for disciplinary action by the board under section 4723.28 of the Revised Code, except that an association is not required to report the individual’s name if the individual is maintaining satisfactory participation in a peer support program approved by the board under rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code.

Community health worker associations shall report to the board the name of any certified community health worker who has been investigated and found to constitute a danger to the public health, safety, and welfare because of conduct that would be grounds for disciplinary action by the board under section 4723.86 of the Revised Code, except that an association is not required to report the individual’s name if the individual is maintaining satisfactory participation in a peer support program approved by the board under rules adopted under section 4723.07 of the Revised Code.

Medication aide associations shall report to the board the name of any medication aide who has been investigated and found to constitute a danger to the public health, safety, and welfare because of conduct that would be grounds for disciplinary action by the board under section 4723.652 of the Revised Code, except that an association is not required to report the individual’s name if the individual is maintaining satisfactory participation in a peer support program approved by the board under rules adopted under section 4723.69 of the Revised Code.

(3) If the prosecutor in a case described in divisions (B)(3) to (5) of section 4723.28 of the Revised Code, or in a case where the trial court issued an order of dismissal upon technical or procedural grounds of a charge of a misdemeanor committed in the course of practice, a felony charge, or a charge of gross immorality or moral turpitude, knows or has reason to believe that the person charged is licensed under this chapter to practice nursing as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse or holds a certificate issued under this chapter to practice as a dialysis technician, the prosecutor shall notify the board of nursing. With regard to certified community health workers and medication aides, if the prosecutor in a case involving a charge of a misdemeanor committed in the course of employment, a felony charge, or a charge of gross immorality or moral turpitude, including a case dismissed on technical or procedural grounds, knows or has reason to believe that the person charged holds a community health worker or medication aide certificate issued under this chapter, the prosecutor shall notify the board.

Each notification required by this division shall be made on forms prescribed and provided by the board. The report shall include the name and address of the license or certificate holder, the charge, and the certified court documents recording the action.

(B) If any person fails to provide a report required by this section, the board may seek an order from a court of competent jurisdiction compelling submission of the report.

Effective Date: 09-26-2003; 06-30-2005

(A) As used in this section, “person” has the same meaning as in section 1.59 of the Revised Code and also includes the board of nursing and its members and employees; health care facilities, associations, and societies; insurers; and individuals.

(B) In the absence of fraud or bad faith, no person reporting to the board of nursing or testifying in an adjudication conducted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code with regard to alleged incidents of negligence or malpractice or matters subject to this chapter or sections 3123.41 to 3123.50 of the Revised Code and any applicable rules adopted under section 3123.63 of the Revised Code shall be subject to either of the following based on making the report or testifying:

(1) Liability in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property;

(2) Discipline or dismissal by an employer.

(C) An individual who is disciplined or dismissed in violation of division (B)(2) of this section has the same rights and duties accorded an employee under sections 4113.52 and 4113.53 of the Revised Code.

(D) In the absence of fraud or bad faith, no professional association of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, dialysis technicians, community health workers, or medication aides that sponsors a committee or program to provide peer assistance to individuals with substance abuse problems, no representative or agent of such a committee or program, and no member of the board of nursing shall be liable to any person for damages in a civil action by reason of actions taken to refer a nurse , dialysis technician, community health worker, or medication aide to a treatment provider or actions or omissions of the provider in treating a nurse , dialysis technician, community health worker, or medication aide.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001; 06-30-2005

Effective Date: 04-10-2001