Indiana Code 25-23-1-12. Requirements for practical nurse applicants; temporary permits; endorsement license; fees; use of title
(1) not have been convicted of:
Terms Used In Indiana Code 25-23-1-12
- Board: means the Indiana state board of nursing. See Indiana Code 25-23-1-1
- licensed practical nurse: means a person who holds a valid license issued under this chapter or IC 25-42 and who functions at the direction of:
Indiana Code 25-23-1-1.2
- practical nursing: means the performance of services commonly performed by practical nurses, including:
Indiana Code 25-23-1-1.3
- registered nurse: means a person who holds a valid license issued under this chapter or IC 25-42 and who bears primary responsibility and accountability for nursing practices based on specialized knowledge, judgment, and skill derived from the principles of biological, physical, and behavioral sciences. See Indiana Code 25-23-1-1.1
- Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
(B) a crime that has a direct bearing on the person’s ability to practice competently;
(2) have completed:
(A) the prescribed curriculum and met the graduation requirements of a state accredited program of practical nursing that only accepts students who have a high school diploma or its equivalent, as determined by the board; or
(B) the prescribed curriculum and graduation requirements of a nursing education program in a foreign country that is substantially equivalent to a board approved program as determined by the board. The board may by rule adopted under IC 4-22-2 require an applicant under this subsection to successfully complete an examination approved by the board to measure the applicant’s qualifications and background in the practice of nursing and proficiency in the English language; and
(3) be physically and mentally capable of, and professionally competent to, safely engage in the practice of practical nursing as determined by the board.
An applicant meets the English proficiency requirement under subdivision (2) if the applicant passes an English course as certified in the transcript from the board’s approved nursing education program or submits proof of passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) that was taken in only the English language.
(b) The applicant must pass an examination in such subjects as the board may determine.
(c) The board may issue a temporary licensed practical nurse permit to practice as a licensed practical nurse applicant to a person who has initially applied for license by examination, after the board receives the necessary materials to determine compliance with subsection (a). The temporary licensed practical nurse permit is valid until the earlier of six (6) months after issuance or the licensed practical nurse applicant’s examination results under subsection (b) are received. If the licensed practical nurse applicant does not receive a passing score on the first examination under subsection (b), the temporary licensed practical nurse permit is no longer valid.
(d) A licensed practical nurse applicant must:
(1) practice under the supervision of a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse; and
(2) use the abbreviation “LPNG” after the licensed practical nurse graduate’s name.
(e) The board may issue by endorsement a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse to an applicant who has been licensed as a licensed practical nurse, by examination, under the laws of another state if the applicant presents proof satisfactory to the board that, at the time of application for an Indiana license by endorsement, the applicant possesses credentials and qualifications that are substantially equivalent to requirements in Indiana for licensure by examination. The board may specify by rule what shall constitute substantial equivalence under this subsection.
(f) The board shall issue by endorsement or examination a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse to an applicant who:
(1) is a graduate of a foreign nursing school;
(2) has successfully passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX);
(3) provides:
(A) documentation that the applicant has:
(i) taken an examination prepared by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools International, Inc. (CGFNS); and
(ii) achieved the passing score required on the examination at the time the examination was taken;
(B) a satisfactory Credentials Evaluation Service Professional Report issued by CGFNS;
(C) a VisaScreen Certificate verification letter issued by CGFNS; or
(D) a satisfactory credential verification assessment from an organization that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or any other organization approved by the board; and
(4) meets the other requirements of this section.
(g) Each applicant for examination and registration to practice as a practical nurse shall pay:
(1) a fee set by the board; and
(2) if the applicant is applying for a multistate license (as defined in IC 25-42-1-11) under IC 25-42 (Nurse Licensure Compact), a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) in addition to the fee under subdivision (1);
a part of which must be used for the rehabilitation of impaired registered nurses and impaired licensed practical nurses. Payment of the fees shall be made by the applicant before the date of examination.
(h) The lesser of the following amounts from fees collected under subsection (g) shall be deposited in the impaired nurses account of the state general fund established by section 34 of this chapter:
(1) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the license application fee per license applied for under this section.
(2) The cost per license to operate the impaired nurses program, as determined by the Indiana professional licensing agency.
(i) Any person who holds a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse in Indiana or under IC 25-42 may use the title “Licensed Practical Nurse” and the abbreviation “L.P.N.”. No other person shall practice or advertise as or assume the title of licensed practical nurse or use the abbreviation of “L.P.N.” or any other words, letters, signs, or figures to indicate that the person using them is a licensed practical nurse.
Formerly: Acts 1949, c.159, s.12; Acts 1951, c.34, s.1; Acts 1971, P.L.376, SEC.11. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.164; Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.59; P.L.169-1985, SEC.73; P.L.149-1987, SEC.61; P.L.152-1988, SEC.18; P.L.33-1993, SEC.31; P.L.181-2002, SEC.7; P.L.1-2007, SEC.174; P.L.134-2008, SEC.30; P.L.135-2019, SEC.3; P.L.156-2020, SEC.104; P.L.69-2022, SEC.6; P.L.148-2023, SEC.15; P.L.9-2024, SEC.469; P.L.17-2024, SEC.18.