Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.011 Short title.
335.011. Short title. — Sections 335.011 to 335.096 may be known as "The Nursing Practice Act".
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 1) Effective 1-21-76
Mo. Rev. Stat. ch. 335
Mo. Rev. Stat. ch. 335
in effectMo. Rev. Stat. § 335.016 Definitions.
335.016. Definitions. — As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following words and terms mean:
(1) "Accredited" , the official authorization or status granted by an agency for a program through a voluntary process;
(2) "Advanced practice registered nurse" or "APRN" , a person who is licensed under the provisions of this chapter to engage in the practice of advanced practice nursing as a certified clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse midwife, certified nurse practitioner, or certified registered nurse anesthetist;
(3) "Approval" , official recognition of nursing education programs which meet standards established by the board of nursing;
(4) "Board" or "state board" , the state board of nursing;
(5) "Certified clinical nurse specialist" , a registered nurse who is currently certified as a clinical nurse specialist by a nationally recognized certifying board approved by the board of nursing;
(6) "Certified nurse midwife" , a registered nurse who is currently certified as a nurse midwife by the American Midwifery Certification Board, or other nationally recognized certifying body approved by the board of nursing;
(7) "Certified nurse practitioner" , a registered nurse who is currently certified as a nurse practitioner by a nationally recognized certifying body approved by the board of nursing;
(8) "Certified registered nurse anesthetist" , a registered nurse who is currently certified as a nurse anesthetist by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, or other nationally recognized certifying body approved by the board of nursing;
(9) "Executive director" , a qualified individual employed by the board as executive secretary or otherwise to administer the provisions of this chapter under the board's direction. Such person employed as executive director shall not be a member of the board;
(10) "Inactive license status" , as defined by rule pursuant to section 335.061 ;
(11) "Lapsed license status" , as defined by rule under section 335.061 ;
(12) "Licensed practical nurse" or "practical nurse" , a person licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter to engage in the practice of practical nursing;
(13) "Licensure" , the issuing of a license to candidates who have met the requirements specified under this chapter, authorizing the person to engage in the practice of advanced practice, professional, or practical nursing, and the recording of the names of those persons as holders of a license to practice advanced practice, professional, or practical nursing;
(14) "Practice of advanced practice nursing" , the performance for compensation of activities and services consistent with the required education, training, certification, demonstrated competencies, and experiences of an advanced practice registered nurse;
(15) "Practice of practical nursing" , the performance for compensation of selected acts for the promotion of health and in the care of persons who are ill, injured, or experiencing alterations in normal health processes. Such performance requires substantial specialized skill, judgment and knowledge. All such nursing care shall be given under the direction of a person licensed by a state regulatory board to prescribe medications and treatments or under the direction of a registered professional nurse. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "direction" shall mean guidance or supervision provided by a person licensed by a state regulatory board to prescribe medications and treatments or a registered professional nurse, including, but not limited to, oral, written, or otherwise communicated orders or directives for patient care. When practical nursing care is delivered pursuant to the direction of a person licensed by a state regulatory board to prescribe medications and treatments or under the direction of a registered professional nurse, such care may be delivered by a licensed practical nurse without direct physical oversight;
(16) "Practice of professional nursing" , the performance for compensation of any act or action which requires substantial specialized education, judgment and skill based on knowledge and application of principles derived from the biological, physical, social, behavioral, and nursing sciences, including, but not limited to:
(a) Responsibility for the promotion and teaching of health care and the prevention of illness to the patient and his or her family;
(b) Assessment, data collection, nursing diagnosis, nursing care, evaluation, and counsel of persons who are ill, injured, or experiencing alterations in normal health processes;
(c) The administration of medications and treatments as prescribed by a person licensed by a state regulatory board to prescribe medications and treatments;
(d) The coordination and assistance in the determination and delivery of a plan of health care with all members of a health team;
(e) The teaching and supervision of other persons in the performance of any of the foregoing;
(17) "Registered professional nurse" or "registered nurse" , a person licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter to engage in the practice of professional nursing;
(18) "Retired license status" , any person licensed in this state under this chapter who retires from such practice. Such person shall file with the board an affidavit, on a form to be furnished by the board, which states the date on which the licensee retired from such practice, an intent to retire from the practice for at least two years, and such other facts as tend to verify the retirement as the board may deem necessary; but if the licensee thereafter reengages in the practice, the licensee shall renew his or her license with the board as provided by this chapter and by rule and regulation.
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 2, A.L. 1993 H.B. 564, A.L. 1995 S.B. 452, A.L. 1999 H.B. 343, A.L. 2002 H.B. 1600, A.L. 2004 S.B. 1122, A.L. 2007 H.B. 780 merged with S.B. 308, A.L. 2008 S.B. 724, A.L. 2023 H.B. 115 & 99 merged with H.B. 402 merged with S.B. 70 merged with S.B. 157)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.017 Intravenous fluids, administration requirements for practical nurses.
335.017. Intravenous fluids, administration requirements for practical nurses. — One of the selected acts which may be performed by persons licensed under the provisions of this chapter as licensed practical nurses is the administration of intravenous fluid treatment. The administration of intravenous fluid treatment may be performed only by licensed practical nurses who have been instructed and trained in such procedures in a course of instruction approved by the board. The board shall have the authority to adopt and revise rules and regulations which limit and define the scope of intravenous fluid treatment which may be performed by licensed practical nurses. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting administration of intravenous fluid treatment by registered professional nurses. The board shall submit emergency rules to the secretary of state to implement the provisions of this section within thirty days of December 15, 1983, and the board shall act promptly on applications of organizations requesting approval of their course of instruction.
(L. 1983 1st Ex. Sess. H.B. 8) Effective 12-15-83
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.019 Prescriptive authority, when - certificate of controlled substance ...
335.019. Prescriptive authority, when — certificate of controlled substance prescriptive authority, issued when. — 1. An advanced practice registered nurse's prescriptive authority shall include authority to:
(1) Prescribe, dispense, and administer medications and nonscheduled legend drugs, as defined in section 338.330 , within such APRN's practice and specialty; and
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, receive, prescribe, administer, and provide nonscheduled legend drug samples from pharmaceutical manufacturers to patients at no charge to the patient or any other party.
2. The board of nursing may grant a certificate of controlled substance prescriptive authority to an advanced practice registered nurse who:
(1) Submits proof of successful completion of an advanced pharmacology course that shall include preceptorial experience in the prescription of drugs, medicines, and therapeutic devices; and
(2) Provides documentation of a minimum of three hundred clock hours preceptorial experience in the prescription of drugs, medicines, and therapeutic devices with a qualified preceptor; and
(3) Provides evidence of a minimum of one thousand hours of practice in an advanced practice nursing category prior to application for a certificate of prescriptive authority. The one thousand hours shall not include clinical hours obtained in the advanced practice nursing education program. The one thousand hours of practice in an advanced practice nursing category may include transmitting a prescription order orally or telephonically or to an inpatient medical record from protocols developed in collaboration with and signed by a licensed physician; and
(4) Has a controlled substance prescribing authority delegated in the collaborative practice arrangement under section 334.104 with a physician who has an unrestricted federal Drug Enforcement Administration registration number and who is actively engaged in a practice comparable in scope, specialty, or expertise to that of the advanced practice registered nurse.
(L. 2008 S.B. 724, A.L. 2023 H.B. 115 & 99 merged with H.B. 402 merged with S.B. 70 merged with S.B. 157)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.021 Board of nursing - members' qualifications, appointments, how made.
335.021. Board of nursing — members' qualifications, appointments, how made. — 1. "The Missouri State Board of Nursing" shall consist of nine members, five of whom must be registered professional nurses. One member of the board shall be a licensed practical nurse, one member shall be an advanced practice registered nurse, and one member a voting public member. Two of the five registered professional nurses shall hold a graduate degree in nursing, and at least one of the professional nurse members shall represent nursing practice. Any person, other than the public member, appointed to the board as hereinafter provided shall be a citizen of the United States and a resident of this state for a period of at least one year, a licensed nurse in this state, and shall have been actively engaged in nursing for at least three years immediately preceding the appointment or reappointment. Membership on the board shall include representatives with expertise in each level of educational programs the graduates of which are eligible to apply for licensure such as practical, diploma, associate degree, and baccalaureate.
2. The governor shall appoint members to the board by and with the advice and consent of the senate when a vacancy thereon occurs either by the expiration of a term or otherwise; provided, however, that any board member shall serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Every appointment except to fulfill an unexpired term shall be for a term of four years, but no person shall be appointed to more than two consecutive terms.
3. At least ninety days before the expiration of a term of a board member, and as soon as feasible after the occurrence of a vacancy on the board for reasons other than the expiration of a term, a list of three licensed and qualified nurses shall be submitted to the director of the division of professional registration. The list shall be submitted by the Missouri Nurses Association if the vacancy is for a registered professional nurse, and by the Missouri State Association of Licensed Practical Nurses if the vacancy is for a licensed practical nurse. The governor may appoint a board member to fill the vacancy from the list submitted, or may appoint some other qualified licensed nurse. This subsection shall not apply to public member vacancies.
4. The public member shall be at the time of his or her appointment a citizen of the United States; a resident of this state for a period of one year and a registered voter; a person who is not and never was a member of any profession licensed or regulated pursuant to this chapter or the spouse of such person; and a person who does not have and never has had a material, financial interest in either the providing of the professional services regulated by this chapter, or an activity or organization directly related to any profession licensed or regulated pursuant to this chapter. All members, including public members, shall be chosen from lists submitted by the director of the division of professional registration. The duties of the public member shall not include the determination of the technical requirements to be met for licensure or whether any person meets such technical requirements or of the technical competence or technical judgment of a licensee or a candidate for licensure.
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 3, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1988 H.B. 1573, A.L. 1999 H.B. 343, A.L. 2018 S.B. 843)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.022 Criminal background check, fingerprint submission.
335.022. Criminal background check, fingerprint submission. — 1. The state board of nursing may require applicants to submit fingerprints to the Missouri state highway patrol for the purpose of conducting a state and federal fingerprint-based criminal history background check for employment purposes with the state board of nursing.
2. The fingerprints and any required fees shall be sent to the Missouri state highway patrol's central repository. The fingerprints shall be used for searching the state criminal records repository and shall also be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a federal criminal records search under section 43.540 . The Missouri state highway patrol shall notify the state board of nursing of any criminal history record information or lack of criminal history record information discovered on the individual. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 610.120 to the contrary, all records related to any criminal history information discovered shall be accessible and available to the state board of nursing.
(L. 2025 S.B. 71 merged with S.B. 81 & 174)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.026 Oath of office, removal from board, when - meetings, when held, quorum - ...
335.026. Oath of office, removal from board, when — meetings, when held, quorum — compensation and expenses. — 1. Before entering upon their duties, members of the board shall make and file with the secretary of state the oath of office required by Article VII, Section 11 of the Constitution of Missouri, for all civil officers of this state.
2. Any member of the board may be removed by the governor for misconduct, incompetency or neglect of duty. Before any member may be so removed, he shall be given a hearing and may appear in his own behalf, may be represented by counsel, and may present witness or other evidence. Any person aggrieved by the action of the governor after the hearing may appeal as provided in chapter 536 .
3. The board shall meet at least once each year as determined by the board. The board may hold such additional meetings during the year as may be deemed necessary to perform its duties. A majority of the board, including at least one officer, shall constitute a quorum for the conducting of business.
4. Each member of the board shall receive as compensation an amount set by the board not to exceed fifty dollars for each day devoted to the affairs of the board; and shall be entitled to reimbursement of their expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of their official duties.
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 4, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.031 Immunity of board members performing official duties.
335.031. Immunity of board members performing official duties. — Members of the board shall not be personally liable either jointly or separately for any act or acts committed in the performance of their official duties as board members.
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 5) Effective 1-21-76
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.042 Criminal background check, fingerprint submission.
335.042. Criminal background check, fingerprint submission. — 1. The state board of nursing may require that fingerprint submissions be made as part of an application seeking licensure to practice as a registered nurse, practical nurse, and advanced practice registered nurse, as such terms are defined in section 335.016 .
2. If the state board of nursing requires that fingerprint submissions be made as part of such application, the state board of nursing shall require nursing applicants to submit the fingerprints to the Missouri state highway patrol for the purpose of conducting a state and federal fingerprint-based criminal history background check.
3. The fingerprints and any required fees shall be sent to the Missouri state highway patrol's central repository. The fingerprints shall be used for searching the state criminal records repository and shall also be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a federal criminal records search under section 43.540 . The Missouri state highway patrol shall notify the state board of nursing of any criminal history record information or lack of criminal history record information discovered on the individual. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 610.120 to the contrary, all records related to any criminal history information discovered shall be accessible and available to the state board of nursing.
(L. 2025 S.B. 71 merged with S.B. 81 & 174)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.046 License, application for - qualifications for, fee - hearing on denial of ...
335.046. License, application for — qualifications for, fee — hearing on denial of license. — 1. An applicant for a license to practice as a registered professional nurse shall submit to the board a written application on forms furnished to the applicant. The original application shall contain the applicant's statements showing the applicant's education and other such pertinent information as the board may require. The applicant shall be of good moral character and have completed at least the high school course of study, or the equivalent thereof as determined by the state board of education, and have successfully completed the basic professional curriculum in an accredited or approved school of nursing and earned a professional nursing degree or diploma. Each application shall contain a statement that it is made under oath or affirmation and that its representations are true and correct to the best knowledge and belief of the person signing same, subject to the penalties of making a false affidavit or declaration. Applicants from non-English-speaking lands shall be required to submit evidence of proficiency in the English language. The applicant must be approved by the board and shall pass an examination as required by the board. The board may require by rule as a requirement for licensure that each applicant shall pass an oral or practical examination. Upon successfully passing the examination, the board may issue to the applicant a license to practice nursing as a registered professional nurse. The applicant for a license to practice registered professional nursing shall pay a license fee in such amount as set by the board. The fee shall be uniform for all applicants. Applicants from foreign countries shall be licensed as prescribed by rule.
2. An applicant for license to practice as a licensed practical nurse shall submit to the board a written application on forms furnished to the applicant. The original application shall contain the applicant's statements showing the applicant's education and other such pertinent information as the board may require. Such applicant shall be of good moral character, and have completed at least two years of high school, or its equivalent as established by the state board of education, and have successfully completed a basic prescribed curriculum in a state-accredited or approved school of nursing, earned a nursing degree, certificate or diploma and completed a course approved by the board on the role of the practical nurse. Each application shall contain a statement that it is made under oath or affirmation and that its representations are true and correct to the best knowledge and belief of the person signing same, subject to the penalties of making a false affidavit or declaration. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries shall be required to submit evidence of their proficiency in the English language. The applicant must be approved by the board and shall pass an examination as required by the board. The board may require by rule as a requirement for licensure that each applicant shall pass an oral or practical examination. Upon successfully passing the examination, the board may issue to the applicant a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse. The applicant for a license to practice licensed practical nursing shall pay a fee in such amount as may be set by the board. The fee shall be uniform for all applicants. Applicants from foreign countries shall be licensed as prescribed by rule.
3. (1) An applicant for a license to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse shall submit to the board a written application on forms furnished to the applicant. The original application shall contain:
(a) Statements showing the applicant's education and other such pertinent information as the board may require; and
(b) A statement that it is made under oath or affirmation and that its representations are true and correct to the best knowledge and belief of the person signing same, subject to the penalties of making a false affidavit or declaration.
(2) The applicant for a license to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse shall pay a fee in such amount as may be set by the board. The fee shall be uniform for all applicants.
(3) An applicant shall:
(a) Hold a current registered professional nurse license or privilege to practice, shall not be currently subject to discipline or any restrictions, and shall not hold an encumbered license or privilege to practice as a registered professional nurse or advanced practice registered nurse in any state or territory;
(b) Have completed an accredited graduate-level advanced practice registered nurse program and achieved at least one certification as a clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse anesthetist, with at least one population focus prescribed by rule of the board;
(c) Be currently certified by a national certifying body recognized by the Missouri state board of nursing in the advanced practice registered nurse role; and
(d) Have a population focus on his or her certification, corresponding with his or her educational advanced practice registered nurse program.
(4) Any person holding a document of recognition to practice nursing as an advanced practice registered nurse in this state that is current on August 28, 2023, shall be deemed to be licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse under the provisions of this section and shall be eligible for renewal of such license under the conditions and standards prescribed in this chapter and as prescribed by rule.
4. Upon refusal of the board to allow any applicant to take either the registered professional nurses' examination or the licensed practical nurses' examination, or upon refusal to issue an advanced practice registered nurse license, the board shall comply with the provisions of section 621.120 and advise the applicant of his or her right to have a hearing before the administrative hearing commission. The administrative hearing commission shall hear complaints taken pursuant to section 621.120 .
5. The board shall not deny a license because of sex, religion, race, ethnic origin, age or political affiliation.
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 8, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1995 S.B. 452, A.L. 1999 H.B. 343, A.L. 2023 H.B. 115 & 99 merged with H.B. 402 merged with S.B. 70 merged with S.B. 157)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.051 Reciprocity - license without examination, temporary license, when.
335.051. Reciprocity — license without examination, temporary license, when. — 1. The board shall issue a license to practice nursing as an advanced practice registered nurse, a registered professional nurse, or a licensed practical nurse without examination to an applicant who has duly become licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse pursuant to the laws of another state, territory, or foreign country if the applicant meets the qualifications required of advanced practice registered nurses, registered nurses, or licensed practical nurses in this state at the time the applicant was originally licensed in the other state, territory, or foreign country.
2. Applicants from foreign countries shall be licensed as prescribed by rule.
3. Upon application, the board shall issue a temporary permit to an applicant pursuant to subsection 1 of this section for a license as an advanced practice registered nurse, a registered professional nurse, or a licensed practical nurse who has made a prima facie showing that the applicant meets all of the requirements for such a license. The temporary permit shall be effective only until the board shall have had the opportunity to investigate his or her qualifications for licensure pursuant to subsection 1 of this section and to notify the applicant that his or her application for a license has been either granted or rejected. In no event shall such temporary permit be in effect for more than twelve months after the date of its issuance nor shall a permit be reissued to the same applicant. No fee shall be charged for such temporary permit. The holder of a temporary permit which has not expired, or been suspended or revoked, shall be deemed to be the holder of a license issued pursuant to section 335.046 until such temporary permit expires, is terminated or is suspended or revoked.
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 9, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1999 H.B. 343, A.L. 2023 H.B. 115 & 99 merged with H.B. 402 merged with S.B. 70 merged with S.B. 157)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.056 Renewal of license, when due, fee - unlicensed practice prohibited - APRN ...
335.056. Renewal of license, when due, fee — unlicensed practice prohibited — APRN renewal, requirements. — 1. The license of every person licensed under the provisions of this chapter shall be renewed as provided. An application for renewal of license shall be mailed to every person to whom a license was issued or renewed during the current licensing period. The applicant shall complete the application and return it to the board by the renewal date with a renewal fee in an amount to be set by the board. The fee shall be uniform for all applicants. The certificates of renewal shall render the holder thereof a legal practitioner of nursing for the period stated in the certificate of renewal. Any person who practices nursing as an advanced practice registered nurse, a registered professional nurse, or a licensed practical nurse during the time his or her license has lapsed shall be considered an illegal practitioner and shall be subject to the penalties provided for violation of the provisions of sections 335.011 to 335.099 .
2. The renewal of advanced practice registered nurse licenses and registered professional nurse licenses shall occur at the same time, as prescribed by rule. Failure to renew and maintain the registered professional nurse license or privilege to practice or failure to provide the required fee and evidence of active certification or maintenance of certification as prescribed by rules and regulations shall result in expiration of the advanced practice registered nurse license.
3. A licensed nurse who holds an APRN license shall be disciplined on their * APRN license for any violations of this chapter.
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 10, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 2023 H.B. 115 & 99 merged with H.B. 402 merged with S.B. 70 merged with S.B. 157) *Words "his or her" appear here in original rolls of S.B. 70 and S.B. 157, 2023.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.061 Reinstatement of license, when - inactive status, board may provide for.
335.061. Reinstatement of license, when — inactive status, board may provide for. — 1. Any licensee who allows his or her license to be placed on inactive status as provided in sections 335.011 to 335.096 shall be reinstated as provided by sections 335.011 to 335.096 and by rule and regulation. The board may by rule and regulation provide for an inactive license status. In the event the board shall refuse to renew the license pursuant to one of the provisions of this section and related requirements for relicensure, the individual may appeal to the administrative hearing commission pursuant to the provisions of section 621.120 .
2. Any licensee who allows his or her license to lapse by failing to renew the license as provided in sections 335.011 to 335.096 shall be reinstated as provided by this chapter and by rule and regulation. The board may by rule and regulation provide for a lapsed license status. In the event the board shall refuse to renew the license pursuant to one of the provisions of this section and related requirements for relicensure, the individual may appeal to the administrative hearing commission pursuant to the provisions of sections 621.120 .
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 11, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1999 H.B. 343)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.066 Denial, revocation, or suspension of license, grounds for, civil immunity ...
335.066. Denial, revocation, or suspension of license, grounds for, civil immunity for providing information — complaint procedures. — 1. The board may refuse to issue or reinstate any certificate of registration or authority, permit or license required pursuant to this chapter * for one or any combination of causes stated in subsection 2 of this section or the board may, as a condition to issuing or reinstating any such permit or license, require a person to submit himself or herself for identification, intervention, treatment, or monitoring by the intervention program and alternative program as provided in section 335.067 . The board shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for the refusal and shall advise the applicant of his or her right to file a complaint with the administrative hearing commission as provided by chapter 621 .
2. The board may cause a complaint to be filed with the administrative hearing commission as provided by chapter 621 against any holder of any certificate of registration or authority, permit or license required by sections 335.011 to 335.096 or any person who has failed to renew or has surrendered his or her certificate of registration or authority, permit or license for any one or any combination of the following causes:
(1) Use or unlawful possession of any controlled substance, as defined in chapter 195 , by the federal government, or by the department of health and senior services by regulation, regardless of impairment, or alcoholic beverage to an extent that such use impairs a person's ability to perform the work of any profession licensed or regulated by sections 335.011 to 335.096 . A blood alcohol content of .08 shall create a presumption of impairment;
(2) The person has been finally adjudicated and found guilty, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, in a criminal prosecution pursuant to the laws of any state or of the United States, for any offense reasonably related to the qualifications, functions or duties of any profession licensed or regulated pursuant to sections 335.011 to 335.096 , for any offense an essential element of which is fraud, dishonesty or an act of violence, or for any offense involving moral turpitude, whether or not sentence is imposed;
(3) Use of fraud, deception, misrepresentation or bribery in securing any certificate of registration or authority, permit or license issued pursuant to sections 335.011 to 335.096 or in obtaining permission to take any examination given or required pursuant to sections 335.011 to 335.096 ;
(4) Obtaining or attempting to obtain any fee, charge, tuition or other compensation by fraud, deception or misrepresentation;
(5) Incompetency, gross negligence, or repeated negligence in the performance of the functions or duties of any profession licensed or regulated by this chapter * . For the purposes of this subdivision, "repeated negligence" means the failure, on more than one occasion, to use that degree of skill and learning ordinarily used under the same or similar circumstances by the member of the applicant's or licensee's profession;
(6) Misconduct, fraud, misrepresentation, dishonesty, unethical conduct, or unprofessional conduct in the performance of the functions or duties of any profession licensed or regulated by this chapter, including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) Willfully and continually overcharging or overtreating patients; or charging for visits which did not occur unless the services were contracted for in advance, or for services which were not rendered or documented in the patient's records;
(b) Attempting, directly or indirectly, by way of intimidation, coercion or deception, to obtain or retain a patient or discourage the use of a second opinion or consultation;
(c) Willfully and continually performing inappropriate or unnecessary treatment, diagnostic tests, or nursing services;
(d) Delegating professional responsibilities to a person who is not qualified by training, skill, competency, age, experience, or licensure to perform such responsibilities;
(e) Performing nursing services beyond the authorized scope of practice for which the individual is licensed in this state;
(f) Exercising influence within a nurse-patient relationship for purposes of engaging a patient in sexual activity;
(g) Being listed on any state or federal sexual offender registry;
(h) Failure of any applicant or licensee to cooperate with the board during any investigation;
(i) Failure to comply with any subpoena or subpoena duces tecum from the board or an order of the board;
(j) Failure to timely pay license renewal fees specified in this chapter;
(k) Violating a probation agreement, order, or other settlement agreement with this board or any other licensing agency;
(l) Failing to inform the board of the nurse's current residence within thirty days of changing residence;
(m) Any other conduct that is unethical or unprofessional involving a minor;
(n) A departure from or failure to conform to nursing standards;
(o) Failure to establish, maintain, or communicate professional boundaries with the patient. A nurse may provide health care services to a person with whom the nurse has a personal relationship as long as the nurse otherwise meets the standards of the profession;
(p) Violating the confidentiality or privacy rights of the patient, resident, or client;
(q) Failing to assess, accurately document, or report the status of a patient, resident, or client, or falsely assessing, documenting, or reporting the status of a patient, resident, or client;
(r) Intentionally or negligently causing physical or emotional harm to a patient, resident, or client;
(s) Failing to furnish appropriate details of a patient's, client's, or resident's nursing needs to succeeding nurses legally qualified to provide continuing nursing services to a patient, client, or resident;
(7) Violation of, or assisting or enabling any person to violate, any provision of sections 335.011 to 335.096 , or of any lawful rule or regulation adopted pursuant to sections 335.011 to 335.096 ;
(8) Impersonation of any person holding a certificate of registration or authority, permit or license or allowing any person to use his or her certificate of registration or authority, permit, license or diploma from any school;
(9) Disciplinary action against the holder of a license or other right to practice any profession regulated by sections 335.011 to 335.096 granted by another state, territory, federal agency or country upon grounds for which revocation or suspension is authorized in this state;
(10) A person is finally adjudged insane or incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction;
(11) Assisting or enabling any person to practice or offer to practice any profession licensed or regulated by sections 335.011 to 335.096 who is not registered and currently eligible to practice pursuant to sections 335.011 to 335.096 ;
(12) Issuance of a certificate of registration or authority, permit or license based upon a material mistake of fact;
(13) Violation of any professional trust or confidence;
(14) Use of any advertisement or solicitation which is false, misleading or deceptive to the general public or persons to whom the advertisement or solicitation is primarily directed;
(15) Violation of the drug laws or rules and regulations of this state, any other state or the federal government;
(16) Placement on an employee disqualification list or other related restriction or finding pertaining to employment within a health-related profession issued by any state or federal government or agency following final disposition by such state or federal government or agency;
(17) Failure to successfully complete the intervention or alternative program for substance use disorder;
(18) Knowingly making or causing to be made a false statement or misrepresentation of a material fact, with intent to defraud, for payment pursuant to the provisions of chapter 208 or chapter 630 , or for payment from Title XVIII or Title XIX of the federal Medicare program;
(19) Failure or refusal to properly guard against contagious, infectious, or communicable diseases or the spread thereof; maintaining an unsanitary office or performing professional services under unsanitary conditions; or failure to report the existence of an unsanitary condition in the office of a physician or in any health care facility to the board, in writing, within thirty days after the discovery thereof;
(20) A pattern of personal use or consumption of any controlled substance or any substance which requires a prescription unless it is prescribed, dispensed, or administered by a provider who is authorized by law to do so or a pattern of abuse of any prescription medication;
(21) Habitual intoxication or dependence on alcohol, evidence of which may include more than one alcohol-related enforcement contact as defined by section 302.525 ;
(22) Failure to comply with a treatment program or an aftercare program entered into as part of a board order, settlement agreement, or licensee's professional health program;
(23) Failure to submit to a drug or alcohol screening when requested by an employer or by the board. Failure to submit to a drug or alcohol screening shall create the presumption that the test would have been positive for a drug for which the individual did not have a prescription in a drug screening or positive for alcohol in an alcohol screening;
(24) Adjudged by a court in need of a guardian or conservator, or both, obtaining a guardian or conservator, or both, and who has not been restored to capacity;
(25) Diversion or attempting to divert any medication, controlled substance, or medical supplies;
(26) Failure to answer, failure to disclose, or failure to fully provide all information requested on any application or renewal for a license. This includes disclosing all pleas of guilt or findings of guilt in a case where the imposition of sentence was suspended, whether or not the case is now confidential;
(27) Physical or mental illness, including but not limited to deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, or disability that impairs the licensee's ability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety. This does not include temporary illness which is expected to resolve within a short period of time;
(28) Any conduct that constitutes a serious danger to the health, safety, or welfare of a patient or the public.
3. After the filing of such complaint, the proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 621 . Upon a finding by the administrative hearing commission that the grounds, provided in subsection 2 of this section, for disciplinary action are met, the board may, singly or in combination, censure or place the person named in the complaint on probation on such terms and conditions as the board deems appropriate for a period not to exceed five years, or may suspend, for a period not to exceed three years, or revoke the license, certificate, or permit.
4. For any hearing before the full board, the board shall cause the notice of the hearing to be served upon such licensee in person or by certified mail to the licensee at the licensee's last known address. If service cannot be accomplished in person or by certified mail, notice by publication as described in subsection 3 of section 506.160 shall be allowed; any representative of the board is authorized to act as a court or judge would in that section; any employee of the board is authorized to act as a clerk would in that section.
5. An individual whose license has been revoked shall wait one year from the date of revocation to apply for relicensure. Relicensure shall be at the discretion of the board after compliance with all the requirements of sections 335.011 to 335.096 relative to the licensing of an applicant for the first time.
6. The board may notify the proper licensing authority of any other state concerning the final disciplinary action determined by the board on a license in which the person whose license was suspended or revoked was also licensed of the suspension or revocation.
7. Any person, organization, association or corporation who reports or provides information to the board of nursing pursuant to the provisions of sections 335.011 to 335.259 ** and who does so in good faith shall not be subject to an action for civil damages as a result thereof.
8. The board may apply to the administrative hearing commission for an emergency suspension or restriction of a license for the following causes:
(1) Engaging in sexual conduct as defined in section 566.010 , with a patient who is not the licensee's spouse, regardless of whether the patient consented;
(2) Engaging in sexual misconduct with a minor or person the licensee believes to be a minor. "Sexual misconduct" means any conduct of a sexual nature which would be illegal under state or federal law;
(3) Possession of a controlled substance in violation of chapter 195 or any state or federal law, rule, or regulation, excluding record-keeping violations;
(4) Use of a controlled substance without a valid prescription;
(5) The licensee is adjudicated incapacitated or disabled by a court of competent jurisdiction;
(6) Habitual intoxication or dependence upon alcohol or controlled substances or failure to comply with a treatment or aftercare program entered into pursuant to a board order, settlement agreement, or as part of the licensee's professional health program;
(7) A report from a board-approved facility or a professional health program stating the licensee is not fit to practice. For purposes of this section, a licensee is deemed to have waived all objections to the admissibility of testimony from the provider of the examination and admissibility of the examination reports. The licensee shall sign all necessary releases for the board to obtain and use the examination during a hearing; or
(8) Any conduct for which the board may discipline that constitutes a serious danger to the health, safety, or welfare of a patient or the public.
9. The board shall submit existing affidavits and existing certified court records together with a complaint alleging the facts in support of the board's request for an emergency suspension or restriction to the administrative hearing commission and shall supply the administrative hearing commission with the last home or business addresses on file with the board for the licensee. Within one business day of the filing of the complaint, the administrative hearing commission shall return a service packet to the board. The service packet shall include the board's complaint and any affidavits or records the board intends to rely on that have been filed with the administrative hearing commission. The service packet may contain other information in the discretion of the administrative hearing commission. Within twenty-four hours of receiving the packet, the board shall either personally serve the licensee or leave a copy of the service packet at all of the licensee's current addresses on file with the board. Prior to the hearing, the licensee may file affidavits and certified court records for consideration by the administrative hearing commission.
10. Within five days of the board's filing of the complaint, the administrative hearing commission shall review the information submitted by the board and the licensee and shall determine based on that information if probable cause exists pursuant to subsection 8 of this section and shall issue its findings of fact and conclusions of law. If the administrative hearing commission finds that there is probable cause, the administrative hearing commission shall enter the order requested by the board. The order shall be effective upon personal service or by leaving a copy at all of the licensee's current addresses on file with the board.
11. (1) The administrative hearing commission shall hold a hearing within forty-five days of the board's filing of the complaint to determine if cause for discipline exists. The administrative hearing commission may grant a request for a continuance, but shall in any event hold the hearing within one hundred twenty days of the board's initial filing. The board shall be granted leave to amend its complaint if it is more than thirty days prior to the hearing. If less than thirty days, the board may be granted leave to amend if public safety requires.
(2) If no cause for discipline exists, the administrative hearing commission shall issue findings of fact, conclusions of law, and an order terminating the emergency suspension or restriction.
(3) If cause for discipline exists, the administrative hearing commission shall issue findings of fact and conclusions of law and order the emergency suspension or restriction to remain in full force and effect pending a disciplinary hearing before the board. The board shall hold a hearing following the certification of the record by the administrative hearing commission and may impose any discipline otherwise authorized by state law.
12. Any action under this section shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any discipline otherwise in the board's power to impose and may be brought concurrently with other actions.
13. If the administrative hearing commission does not find probable cause and does not grant the emergency suspension or restriction, the board shall remove all reference to such emergency suspension or restriction from its public records. Records relating to the suspension or restriction shall be maintained in the board's files. The board or licensee may use such records in the course of any litigation to which they are both parties. Additionally, such records may be released upon a specific, written request of the licensee.
14. If the administrative hearing commission grants temporary authority to the board to restrict or suspend the nurse's license, such temporary authority of the board shall become final authority if there is no request by the nurse for a full hearing within thirty days of the preliminary hearing. The administrative hearing commission shall, if requested by the nurse named in the complaint, set a date to hold a full hearing under the provisions of chapter 621 regarding the activities alleged in the initial complaint filed by the board.
15. If the administrative hearing commission refuses to grant temporary authority to the board or restrict or suspend the nurse's license under subsection 8 of this section, such dismissal shall not bar the board from initiating a subsequent disciplinary action on the same grounds.
16. (1) The board may initiate a hearing before the board for discipline of any licensee's license or certificate upon receipt of one of the following:
(a) Certified court records of a finding of guilt or plea of guilty or nolo contendere in a criminal prosecution under the laws of any state or of the United States for any offense involving the qualifications, functions, or duties of any profession licensed or regulated under this chapter, for any offense involving fraud, dishonesty, or an act of violence, or for any offense involving moral turpitude, whether or not sentence is imposed;
(b) Evidence of final disciplinary action against the licensee's license, certification, or registration issued by any other state, by any other agency or entity of this state or any other state, or the United States or its territories, or any other country;
(c) Evidence of certified court records finding the licensee has been judged incapacitated or disabled under Missouri law or under the laws of any other state or of the United States or its territories.
(2) The board shall provide the licensee not less than ten days' notice of any hearing held pursuant to chapter 536 .
(3) Upon a finding that cause exists to discipline a licensee's license, the board may impose any discipline otherwise available.
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 12, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1995 S.B. 452, A.L. 1999 H.B. 343, A.L. 2007 H.B. 780 merged with S.B. 308, A.L. 2013 H.B. 315, A.L. 2018 H.B. 1719) *Words " chapter 335 " appear in original rolls. **Section 335.259 was repealed by S.B. 52, 1993.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.067 Intervention programs may be established by the board - purpose of program ...
335.067. Intervention programs may be established by the board — purpose of program — screening — completion of program, effect of — disciplinary action for failure to complete — confidentiality. — 1. The state board of nursing may establish an intervention program and an alternative program to promote the identification, intervention, treatment, and monitoring of nurses or applicants for a nursing license who may be impaired by reason of substance abuse or the potential for substance abuse.
2. The intervention program is available, upon board discretion, to licensees and applicants for licensure who self-refer, test positive in a pre-employment or for-cause drug or alcohol screen, individuals who have pled guilty to or been found guilty of any drug offense, whether felony or misdemeanor, or individuals who have pled guilty to or been found guilty of three or more criminal offenses resulting from or related to the use of drugs or alcohol, whether a felony or misdemeanor. The program shall be a minimum of one year in duration and require random drug and alcohol testing at the participant's expense.
3. The alternative program is available, upon board discretion, to licensees and applicants for licensure who admit to having a substance use disorder. The program shall be from three to five years in duration and at a minimum require random drug and alcohol testing at the participant's expense.
4. Upon receiving a complaint or an application, the board shall screen the information submitted to determine whether the individual may be eligible for the intervention or alternative program. If eligible for one of the programs, the board may contact the individual and offer the program. If accepted, the board and individual may enter into a written agreement setting forth the requirements of the program. If declined, the board may proceed with its regular process of investigating a complaint or application as set forth in this chapter and chapter 324 . The board shall retain sole discretion to offer the program at any time.
5. Upon successful completion of the intervention or alternative program, the licensee shall be deemed to have no disciplinary action against his or her license and shall not be required to disclose participation in the program. All records shall be deemed confidential and not public records under chapter 610 and not subject to court or administration subpoena or subject to discovery or introduction as evidence in any civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings.
6. If a licensee or applicant violates any term of the intervention program and the licensee or applicant denies the violation, the board may convene a hearing, after due notice to the licensee or applicant to determine whether such violation has occurred. The hearing shall be confidential and not open to the public under chapter 610 . Records from the program shall be deemed admissible in the hearing. If the licensee or applicant admits to the violation, no hearing is required. If a violation is found by the board or admitted to by the licensee or applicant, the licensee's license shall be indefinitely suspended or the applicant's application shall not be acted upon until the licensee or applicant continues to fully participate in the program, has one year with no positive drug or alcohol screens, and completes a sobriety notebook. The licensee may then request that his or her license be reinstated or the applicant may then request the board act upon his or her application.
7. If a licensee does not successfully complete the intervention program, the board may pursue disciplinary action as set forth in section 335.066 and chapter 621 . If an applicant does not successfully complete the intervention program, the board may issue an order pursuant to the provisions of chapters 324 , 335 , 536 , and 621 . Records from the program may be used as evidence in any such proceedings initiated under chapters 324 , 335 , 536 , and 621 . Any such licensee disciplined by the board pursuant to this section or applicant subject to an order pursuant to this section shall not be eligible to participate in the alternative program.
8. If a licensee or applicant violates any term of the alternative program and the licensee or applicant denies the violation, the board may convene a hearing, after due notice to the licensee or applicant to determine whether such violation has occurred. The hearing shall be confidential and not open to the public under chapter 610 . Records from the program shall be deemed admissible in the hearing. If the licensee or applicant admits to the violation, no hearing is required. If a violation is found by the board or admitted to by the licensee or applicant, the licensee's license shall be indefinitely suspended or the applicant's application shall not be acted upon until the licensee or applicant continues to fully participate in the program, has one year with no positive drug or alcohol screens, and completes a sobriety notebook. The licensee may then request that his or her license be reinstated or the applicant may then request the board act upon his or her application.
9. If a licensee does not successfully complete the alternative program, the board may pursue disciplinary action as set forth in section 335.066 and chapter 621 . If an applicant does not successfully complete the alternative program, the board may issue an order pursuant to the provisions of chapters 324 , 335 , and 621 . Records from the program may be used as evidence in any such proceedings conducted pursuant to the provisions of chapters 324 , 335 , and 621 .
10. The board may promulgate administrative rules subject to the provisions of this section and chapter 536 to effectuate and implement any programs formed pursuant to this section.
11. The board may expend appropriated funds necessary to provide for operational expenses of the programs formed pursuant to this section.
12. Any board member, board staff member, members of the programs, as well as any administrator, staff member, consultant, agent, or employee of the programs, acting within the scope of his or her duties and without actual malice, and all other persons who furnish information to the programs in good faith and without actual malice, shall not be liable for any claim of damages as a result of any statement, decision, opinion, investigation, or action taken by the programs, or by any individual member of the programs, by any board member, or by any board staff member.
13. All information, interviews, reports, statements, memoranda, drug or alcohol testing results, or other documents furnished to or produced by the programs, as well as communications to or from the programs, any findings, conclusions, interventions, treatment, rehabilitation, or other proceedings of the programs which in any way pertain to a licensee who may be, or who actually is, impaired shall be privileged and confidential, except that the board may share information with the licensee's employer or potential employer upon verification with the licensee that he or she is employed with the employer or actively seeking employment with the potential employer. Any records produced in conjunction with either program shall not be considered public records under chapter 610 and shall not be subject to court subpoena or subject to discovery or introduction as evidence in any civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings except as set forth in subsections 14 and 15 of this section.
14. Information may be disclosed relative to a licensee or applicant in either program only when:
(1) It is essential to disclose the information to further the intervention, treatment, or rehabilitation needs of the licensee or applicant and only to those persons or organizations with a need to know;
(2) Its release is authorized in writing by the licensee or applicant;
(3) A licensee has breached his or her contract with the program; or
(4) The information is subject to a court order.
15. The statute of limitations set forth in section 324.043 shall be tolled while a licensee or applicant is participating in either the intervention program or the alternative program.
(L. 2007 H.B. 780 and L. 2007 S.B. 308, A.L. 2011 H.B. 315, A.L. 2018 H.B. 1719)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.068 Complaints to be sealed records, when.
335.068. Complaints to be sealed records, when. — 1. If the board determines that a complaint does not constitute a violation of the nursing practice act or that the complaint is unsubstantiated, then that complaint, and all documentation related to it, shall be deemed a sealed record. If the administrative hearing commission or a court of competent jurisdiction makes a finding that an action brought by the board does not constitute sufficient grounds to discipline the license of a licensee, that complaint, and all documentation related to it, shall be deemed a sealed record.
2. For purposes of this section, a "sealed record" shall mean that the complaint to which it refers shall be deemed to never have occurred. The licensee may properly reply that no record exists with respect to such complaint upon any inquiry in the matter. A sealed record shall not be disclosed or reported to any other state agency, other board of nursing, or any other organization without express, written permission of the licensee.
3. Upon determination by the board that a complaint is not a violation of the nursing practice act or that the complaint is unsubstantiated, or upon the conclusion of litigation resulting in a finding of insufficient grounds to impose discipline upon a licensee's license, the board and the division of professional registration shall, in a timely fashion:
(1) Notify any other licensing board in another state or any national registry regarding the board's action if they have been previously notified of the complaint; and
(2) Send a letter to the licensee that clearly states that the board found the complaint to be unsubstantiated or that litigation resulted in a finding that there are insufficient grounds to discipline the licensee's license, that the board has sealed all records concerning the complaint, and notify the licensee of the provisions of subsection 4 of this section.
4. Any person who has been the subject of an unsubstantiated complaint as provided in subsection 1 of this section shall not be required to disclose the existence of such complaint in subsequent applications or representations relating to their nursing professions.
5. Nothing contained in this section shall prevent the board of nursing from maintaining such records as to ensure that all complaints received by the board are properly investigated and reviewed by the board and the results of that investigation are reported to the appropriate parties.
(L. 1999 H.B. 343, A.L. 2007 H.B. 780 merged with S.B. 308)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.071 Nursing schools, standards for approval, fees - noncompliance, effect of.
335.071. Nursing schools, standards for approval, fees — noncompliance, effect of. — 1. Any institution desiring to conduct an approved educational program of professional nursing or of practical nursing shall apply to the board and submit evidence that it is prepared to meet standards established by this law and the board.
2. The board, through its executive officer or other authorized representatives, shall initially survey a nursing education program. A written report of the survey shall be submitted to the board. If the board determines that the requirements for an accredited nursing education program are met, such program shall be approved as a nursing education program for professional or for practical nurses upon payment of a fee in an amount to be set by the board and in accord with board rules.
3. The board, through its executive officer or other authorized representatives, shall periodically survey all nursing education programs in the state. Written reports of such surveys shall be submitted to the board. If the board determines that any approved nursing education program is not maintaining the standards required by sections 335.011 to 335.096 and by the board, notice thereof in writing specifying the defect or defects shall be immediately given to the institution conducting the program. A program which fails to correct these conditions to the satisfaction of the board within a reasonable time shall, after notice and hearing, be removed from the board's listing of approved programs. All hearings shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 621 .
4. All such approved programs shall pay an annual registration fee in an amount to be determined by the board.
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 13, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1999 H.B. 343)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.075 Verification of licensure prior to hiring.
335.075. Verification of licensure prior to hiring. — 1. Before hiring a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse in Missouri, an employer shall verify that the applicant has a current, valid license to practice nursing under chapter 335 . This section shall not apply for employment which does not require the possession of a current, valid license to practice nursing.
2. Employers shall have a process in place to verify licensure status of each registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse coinciding with the license renewal.
(L. 2010 H.B. 2226, et al.)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.076 Titles, RN, LPN, and APRN, who may use.
335.076. Titles, RN, LPN, and APRN, who may use. — 1. Any person who holds a license to practice professional nursing in this state may use the title "Registered Professional Nurse" and the abbreviation "RN". No other person shall use the title "Registered Professional Nurse" or the abbreviation "RN". No other person shall assume any title or use any abbreviation or any other words, letters, signs, or devices to indicate that the person using the same is a registered professional nurse.
2. Any person who holds a license to practice practical nursing in this state may use the title "Licensed Practical Nurse" and the abbreviation "LPN". No other person shall use the title "Licensed Practical Nurse" or the abbreviation "LPN". No other person shall assume any title or use any abbreviation or any other words, letters, signs, or devices to indicate that the person using the same is a licensed practical nurse.
3. Any person who holds a license to practice advanced practice nursing in this state may use the title "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse", the designations of "certified registered nurse anesthetist", "certified nurse midwife", "certified clinical nurse specialist", and "certified nurse practitioner", and the abbreviations "APRN", "CRNA", "CNM", "CNS", and "NP", respectively. No other person shall use the title "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse" or the abbreviation "APRN". No other person shall assume any title or use any abbreviation or any other words, letters, signs, or devices to indicate that the person using the same is an advanced practice registered nurse.
4. No person shall practice or offer to practice professional nursing, practical nursing, or advanced practice nursing in this state or use any title, sign, abbreviation, card, or device to indicate that such person is a practicing professional nurse, practical nurse, or advanced practice nurse unless he or she has been duly licensed under the provisions of this chapter.
5. In the interest of public safety and consumer awareness, it is unlawful for any person to use the title "nurse" in reference to himself or herself in any capacity, except individuals who are or have been licensed as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse under this chapter.
6. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a Christian Science nurse from using the title "Christian Science nurse", so long as such person provides only religious nonmedical services when offering or providing such services to those who choose to rely upon healing by spiritual means alone and does not hold his or her own religious organization and does not hold himself or herself out as a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, nurse practitioner, licensed practical nurse, nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse anesthetist, unless otherwise authorized by law to do so.
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 14, A.L. 2007 H.B. 780 merged with S.B. 308, A.L. 2008 S.B. 724, A.L. 2023 H.B. 115 & 99 merged with H.B. 402 merged with S.B. 70 merged with S.B. 157)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.081 Exempted practices and practitioners.
335.081. Exempted practices and practitioners. — So long as the person involved does not represent or hold himself or herself out as a nurse licensed to practice in this state, no provision of sections 335.011 to 335.096 shall be construed as prohibiting:
(1) The practice of any profession for which a license is required and issued pursuant to the laws of this state by a person duly licensed to practice that profession;
(2) The services rendered by technicians, nurses' aides or their equivalent trained and employed in public or private hospitals and licensed long-term care facilities except the services rendered in licensed long-term care facilities shall be limited to administering medication, excluding injectable other than insulin;
(3) The providing of nursing care by friends or members of the family of the person receiving such care;
(4) The incidental care of the sick, aged, or infirm by domestic servants or persons primarily employed as housekeepers;
(5) The furnishing of nursing assistance in the case of an emergency situation;
(6) The practice of nursing under proper supervision:
(a) As a part of the course of study by students enrolled in approved schools of professional nursing or in schools of practical nursing;
(b) By graduates of accredited nursing programs pending the results of the first licensing examination or ninety days after graduation, whichever first occurs;
(c) A graduate nurse who is prevented from attending the first licensing examination following graduation by reason of active duty in the military may practice as a graduate nurse pending the results of the first licensing examination scheduled by the board following the release of such graduate nurse from active military duty or pending the results of the first licensing examination taken by the graduate nurse while involved in active military service whichever comes first;
(7) The practice of nursing in this state by any legally qualified nurse duly licensed to practice in another state whose engagement requires such nurse to accompany and care for a patient temporarily residing in this state for a period not to exceed six months;
(8) The practice of any legally qualified nurse who is employed by the government of the United States or any bureau, division or agency thereof, while in the discharge of his or her official duties or to the practice of any legally qualified nurse serving in the Armed Forces of the United States while stationed within this state;
(9) Nonmedical nursing care of the sick with or without compensation when done in connection with the practice of the religious tenets of any church by adherents thereof, as long as they do not engage in the practice of nursing as defined in sections 335.011 to 335.096 ;
(10) The practice of any legally qualified and licensed nurse of another state, territory, or foreign country whose responsibilities include transporting patients into, out of, or through this state while actively engaged in patient transport that does not exceed forty-eight hours in this state.
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 15, A.L. 1982 S.B. 842, A.L. 1991 S.B. 358, A.L. 1995 S.B. 452, A.L. 1999 H.B. 343, A.L. 2010 H.B. 2226, et al.)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.086 Use of fraudulent credentials prohibited.
335.086. Use of fraudulent credentials prohibited. — No person, firm, corporation or association shall:
(1) Sell or attempt to sell or fraudulently obtain or furnish or attempt to furnish any nursing diploma, license, renewal or record or aid or abet therein;
(2) Practice nursing as defined by sections 335.011 to 335.099 under cover of any diploma, license, or record illegally or fraudulently obtained or signed or issued unlawfully or under fraudulent representation;
(3) Practice nursing as defined by sections 335.011 to 335.099 unless duly licensed to do so under the provisions of sections 335.011 to 335.099 ;
(4) Use in connection with his or her name any designation tending to imply that he or she is a licensed advanced practice registered nurse, a licensed registered professional nurse, or a licensed practical nurse unless duly licensed so to practice under the provisions of sections 335.011 to 335.099 ;
(5) Practice nursing during the time his or her license issued under the provisions of sections 335.011 to 335.099 shall be suspended or revoked; or
(6) Conduct a nursing education program for the preparation of professional or practical nurses unless the program has been accredited by the board.
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 16, A.L. 2023 H.B. 115 & 99 merged with H.B. 402 merged with S.B. 70 merged with S.B. 157)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.096 Penalty for violation.
335.096. Penalty for violation. — Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a class E felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided by law.
(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 18, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 2007 H.B. 780 merged with S.B. 308, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.097 Board of nursing, powers, enforcement.
335.097. Board of nursing, powers, enforcement. — 1. The president or secretary of the board of nursing may administer oaths, issue subpoenas duces tecum and require production of documents and records. Subpoenas duces tecum shall be served by a person authorized to serve subpoenas of courts of record. In lieu of requiring attendance of a person to produce original documents in response to a subpoena duces tecum, the board may require sworn copies of such documents to be filed with it or delivered to its designated representative.
2. The board may enforce its subpoenas duces tecum by applying to a circuit court of Cole County, the county of the investigation, hearing or proceeding, or any county where the person resides or may be found, for an order upon any person who shall fail to comply with a subpoena duces tecum to show cause why such subpoena should not be enforced, which such order and a copy of the application therefor shall be served upon the person in the same manner as a summons in a civil action, and if the circuit court shall, after a hearing, determine that the subpoena duces tecum should be sustained and enforced, such court shall proceed to enforce the subpoena duces tecum in the same manner as though the subpoena duces tecum had been issued in a civil case in the circuit court.
3. Reports made to the board under the mandated reporting requirements as defined in chapter 383 shall not be deemed a violation of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the privacy rules located in the Act because the Missouri state board of nursing qualifies as a health oversight agency as defined in the HIPAA privacy rules.
(L. 1999 H.B. 343 § 4, A.L. 2007 H.B. 780 merged with S.B. 308)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.099 Licensed practical nurse, additional authorized acts.
335.099. Licensed practical nurse, additional authorized acts. — Any licensed practical nurse, as defined in section 335.016 :
(1) Who is an approved instructor for the level 1 medication aid program shall be qualified to teach the insulin administration course under chapter 198 ;
(2) Shall be qualified to perform diabetic nail care and monthly onsite reviews of basic personal care recipients, as required by the department of social services, of a resident of a residential care facility or assisted living facility, as defined in chapter 198 ;
(3) Shall be qualified to perform dietary oversight, as required by the department of health and senior services, of a resident of a residential care facility or assisted living facility, as defined in chapter 198 .
(L. 2011 S.B. 325)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.175 Utilization of telehealth by nurses established.
335.175. Utilization of telehealth by nurses established. — 1. No later than January 1, 2014, there is hereby established within the state board of registration for the healing arts and the state board of nursing the "Utilization of Telehealth by Nurses". An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) providing nursing services under a collaborative practice arrangement under section 334.104 may provide such services outside the geographic proximity requirements of section 334.104 if the collaborating physician and advanced practice registered nurse utilize telehealth. Telehealth providers shall be required to obtain patient consent before telehealth services are initiated and ensure confidentiality of medical information.
2. As used in this section, "telehealth" shall have the same meaning as such term is defined in section 191.1145 .
(L. 2013 H.B. 315, A.L. 2016 S.B. 579, A.L. 2019 S.B. 514, A.L. 2023 H.B. 115 & 99 merged with H.B. 402 merged with S.B. 70 merged with S.B. 157)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.200 Nurse education incentive grants - definitions.
335.200. Nurse education incentive grants — definitions. — As used in sections 335.200 to 335.203 , the following terms mean:
(1) "Board" , the state board of nursing;
(2) "Department" , the Missouri department of higher education and workforce development;
(3) "Eligible institution of higher education" , a Missouri institution of higher education accredited by the higher learning commission of the north central association which offers a nursing education program or an approved virtual institution, as defined in section 173.1102 , that offers a nursing education program;
(4) "Grant" , a grant awarded to an eligible institution of higher education under the guidelines set forth in sections 335.200 to 335.203 .
(L. 1990 H.B. 1429 § 1, A.L. 2011 H.B. 223 & 231merged with S.B. 325, A.L. 2023 H.B. 417)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.203 Nursing education incentive program established - grants authorized, ...
335.203. Nursing education incentive program established — grants authorized, eligibility — administration — rulemaking authority. — 1. There is hereby established the "Nursing Education Incentive Program" within the state board of nursing.
2. Subject to appropriation and board disbursement, grants shall be awarded through the nursing education incentive program to eligible institutions of higher education based on criteria jointly determined by the board and the department of higher education and workforce development. No campus shall receive more than one grant per year.
3. To be considered for a grant, an eligible institution of higher education shall offer a program of nursing that meets the predetermined category and area of need as established by the board and the department under subsection 4 of this section.
4. The board and the department shall determine categories and areas of need for designating grants to eligible institutions of higher education. In establishing categories and areas of need, the board and department may consider criteria including, but not limited to:
(1) Data generated from licensure renewal data and the department of health and senior services; and
(2) National nursing statistical data and trends that have identified nursing shortages.
5. The board shall be the administrative agency responsible for implementation of the program established under sections 335.200 to 335.203 , and shall promulgate reasonable rules for the exercise of its functions and the effectuation of the purposes of sections 335.200 to 335.203 . The board shall, by rule, prescribe the form, time, and method of filing applications and shall supervise the processing of such applications.
6. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010 , that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028 . This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2011, shall be invalid and void.
(L. 1990 H.B. 1429 § 2, A.L. 2011 H.B. 223 & 231 merged with S.B. 325, A.L. 2016 H.B. 1816, A.L. 2023 H.B. 402 merged with H.B. 417 merged with S.B. 45 & 90 merged with S.B. 70 merged with S.B. 106 merged with S.B. 157)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.205 Licensure, surcharge, amount.
335.205. Licensure, surcharge, amount. — The board, in addition to any other duties it may have regarding licensure of nurses, shall collect, at the time of any initial license application or license renewal application, a nursing education incentive program surcharge from each person licensed or relicensed under this chapter, in the amount of one dollar per year for practical nurses and five dollars per year for registered professional nurses. These funds shall be deposited in the state board of nursing fund described in section 335.036 .
(L. 2023 H.B. 402 merged with H.B. 417 merged with S.B. 45 & 90 merged with S.B. 70 merged with S.B. 106 merged with S.B. 157)
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.360 Findings and declaration of purpose.
*335.360. Findings and declaration of purpose. — 1. The party states find that:
(1) The health and safety of the public are affected by the degree of compliance with and the effectiveness of enforcement activities related to state nurse licensure laws;
(2) Violations of nurse licensure and other laws regulating the practice of nursing may result in injury or harm to the public;
(3) The expanded mobility of nurses and the use of advanced communication technologies as part of our nation's health care delivery system require greater coordination and cooperation among states in the areas of nurse licensure and regulation;
(4) New practice modalities and technology make compliance with individual state nurse licensure laws difficult and complex;
(5) The current system of duplicative licensure for nurses practicing in multiple states is cumbersome and redundant to both nurses and states; and
(6) Uniformity of nurse licensure requirements throughout the states promotes public safety and public health benefits.
2. The general purposes of this compact are to:
(1) Facilitate the states' responsibility to protect the public's health and safety;
(2) Ensure and encourage the cooperation of party states in the areas of nurse licensure and regulation;
(3) Facilitate the exchange of information between party states in the areas of nurse regulation, investigation, and adverse actions;
(4) Promote compliance with the laws governing the practice of nursing in each jurisdiction;
(5) Invest all party states with the authority to hold a nurse accountable for meeting all state practice laws in the state in which the patient is located at the time care is rendered through the mutual recognition of party state licenses;
(6) Decrease redundancies in the consideration and issuance of nurse licenses; and
(7) Provide opportunities for interstate practice by nurses who meet uniform licensure requirements.
(L. 2016 H.B. 1816 merged with S.B. 608 merged with S.B. 635) Effective 7-20-17, see § 335.420. *S.B. 608 was vetoed July 5, 2016. The veto was overridden on September 14, 2016.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.365 Definitions.
*335.365. Definitions. — As used in this compact, the following terms shall mean:
(1) "Adverse action" , any administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action permitted by a state's laws which is imposed by a licensing board or other authority against a nurse, including actions against an individual's license or multistate licensure privilege such as revocation, suspension, probation, monitoring of the licensee, limitation on the licensee's practice, or any other encumbrance on licensure affecting a nurse's authorization to practice, including issuance of a cease and desist action;
(2) "Alternative program" , a nondisciplinary monitoring program approved by a licensing board;
(3) "Coordinated licensure information system" , an integrated process for collecting, storing, and sharing information on nurse licensure and enforcement activities related to nurse licensure laws that is administered by a nonprofit organization composed of and controlled by licensing boards;
(4) "Current significant investigative information" :
(a) Investigative information that a licensing board, after a preliminary inquiry that includes notification and an opportunity for the nurse to respond, if required by state law, has reason to believe is not groundless and, if proved true, would indicate more than a minor infraction; or
(b) Investigative information that indicates that the nurse represents an immediate threat to public health and safety, regardless of whether the nurse has been notified and had an opportunity to respond;
(5) "Encumbrance" , a revocation or suspension of, or any limitation on, the full and unrestricted practice of nursing imposed by a licensing board;
(6) "Home state" , the party state which is the nurse's primary state of residence;
(7) "Licensing board" , a party state's regulatory body responsible for issuing nurse licenses;
(8) "Multistate license" , a license to practice as a registered nurse, "RN", or a licensed practical or vocational nurse, "LPN" or "VN", issued by a home state licensing board that authorizes the licensed nurse to practice in all party states under a multistate licensure privilege;
(9) "Multistate licensure privilege" , a legal authorization associated with a multistate license permitting the practice of nursing as either an RN, LPN, or VN in a remote state;
(10) "Nurse" , an RN, LPN, or VN, as those terms are defined by each party state's practice laws;
(11) "Party state" , any state that has adopted this compact;
(12) "Remote state" , a party state, other than the home state;
(13) "Single-state license" , a nurse license issued by a party state that authorizes practice only within the issuing state and does not include a multistate licensure privilege to practice in any other party state;
(14) "State" , a state, territory, or possession of the United States and the District of Columbia;
(15) "State practice laws" , a party state's laws, rules, and regulations that govern the practice of nursing, define the scope of nursing practice, and create the methods and grounds for imposing discipline. State practice laws do not include requirements necessary to obtain and retain a license, except for qualifications or requirements of the home state.
(L. 2016 H.B. 1816 merged with S.B. 608 merged with S.B. 635) Effective 7-20-17, see § 335.420. *S.B. 608 was vetoed July 5, 2016. The veto was overridden on September 14, 2016.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.370 General provisions and jurisdiction.
*335.370. General provisions and jurisdiction. — 1. A multistate license to practice registered or licensed practical or vocational nursing issued by a home state to a resident in that state shall be recognized by each party state as authorizing a nurse to practice as a registered nurse, "RN", or as a licensed practical or vocational nurse, "LPN" or "VN", under a multistate licensure privilege, in each party state.
2. A state must implement procedures for considering the criminal history records of applicants for initial multistate license or licensure by endorsement. Such procedures shall include the submission of fingerprints or other biometric-based information by applicants for the purpose of obtaining an applicant's criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that state's criminal records.
3. Each party state shall require the following for an applicant to obtain or retain a multistate license in the home state:
(1) Meets the home state's qualifications for licensure or renewal of licensure as well as all other applicable state laws;
(2) (a) Has graduated or is eligible to graduate from a licensing board-approved RN or LPN or VN prelicensure education program; or
(b) Has graduated from a foreign RN or LPN or VN prelicensure education program that has been approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country and has been verified by an independent credentials review agency to be comparable to a licensing board-approved prelicensure education program;
(3) Has, if a graduate of a foreign prelicensure education program not taught in English or if English is not the individual's native language, successfully passed an English proficiency examination that includes the components of reading, speaking, writing, and listening;
(4) Has successfully passed an NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination or recognized predecessor, as applicable;
(5) Is eligible for or holds an active, unencumbered license;
(6) Has submitted, in connection with an application for initial licensure or licensure by endorsement, fingerprints or other biometric data for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that state's criminal records;
(7) Has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a felony offense under applicable state or federal criminal law;
(8) Has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a misdemeanor offense related to the practice of nursing as determined on a case-by-case basis;
(9) Is not currently enrolled in an alternative program;
(10) Is subject to self-disclosure requirements regarding current participation in an alternative program; and
(11) Has a valid United States Social Security number.
4. All party states shall be authorized, in accordance with existing state due process law, to take adverse action against a nurse's multistate licensure privilege such as revocation, suspension, probation, or any other action that affects a nurse's authorization to practice under a multistate licensure privilege, including cease and desist actions. If a party state takes such action, it shall promptly notify the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system. The administrator of the coordinated licensure information system shall promptly notify the home state of any such actions by remote states.
5. A nurse practicing in a party state shall comply with the state practice laws of the state in which the client is located at the time service is provided. The practice of nursing is not limited to patient care, but shall include all nursing practice as defined by the state practice laws of the party state in which the client is located. The practice of nursing in a party state under a multistate licensure privilege shall subject a nurse to the jurisdiction of the licensing board, the courts, and the laws of the party state in which the client is located at the time service is provided.
6. Individuals not residing in a party state shall continue to be able to apply for a party state's single-state license as provided under the laws of each party state. However, the single-state license granted to these individuals shall not be recognized as granting the privilege to practice nursing in any other party state. Nothing in this compact shall affect the requirements established by a party state for the issuance of a single-state license.
7. Any nurse holding a home state multistate license on the effective date of this compact may retain and renew the multistate license issued by the nurse's then current home state, provided that:
(1) A nurse who changes primary state of residence after this compact's effective date shall meet all applicable requirements as provided in subsection 3 of this section to obtain a multistate license from a new home state;
(2) A nurse who fails to satisfy the multistate licensure requirements in subsection 3 of this section due to a disqualifying event occurring after this compact's effective date shall be ineligible to retain or renew a multistate license, and the nurse's multistate license shall be revoked or deactivated in accordance with applicable rules adopted by the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators ("Commission") ** .
(L. 2016 H.B. 1816 merged with S.B. 608 merged with S.B. 635) Effective 7-20-17, see § 335.420. *S.B. 608 was vetoed July 5, 2016. The veto was overridden on September 14, 2016. **Word "commission" appears in original rolls of H.B. 1816, S.B. 608, and S.B. 635. The official model language for the new Nurse Licensure Compact adopted on May 4, 2015, contains the word ("Commission").
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.375 Applications for licensure in a party state.
*335.375. Applications for licensure in a party state. — 1. Upon application for a multistate license, the licensing board in the issuing party state shall ascertain, through the coordinated licensure information system, whether the applicant has ever held, or is the holder of, a license issued by any other state, whether there are any encumbrances on any license or multistate licensure privilege held by the applicant, whether any adverse action has been taken against any license or multistate licensure privilege held by the applicant, and whether the applicant is currently participating in an alternative program.
2. A nurse shall hold a multistate license, issued by the home state, in only one party state at a time.
3. If a nurse changes primary state of residence by moving between two party states, the nurse shall apply for licensure in the new home state, and the multistate license issued by the prior home state shall be deactivated in accordance with applicable rules adopted by the commission.
(1) The nurse may apply for licensure in advance of a change in primary state of residence.
(2) A multistate license shall not be issued by the new home state until the nurse provides satisfactory evidence of a change in primary state of residence to the new home state and satisfies all applicable requirements to obtain a multistate license from the new home state.
4. If a nurse changes primary state of residence by moving from a party state to a non-party state, the multistate license issued by the prior home state shall convert to a single-state license, valid only in the former home state.
(L. 2016 H.B. 1816 merged with S.B. 608 merged with S.B. 635) Effective 7-20-17, see § 335.420. *S.B. 608 was vetoed July 5, 2016. The veto was overridden on September 14, 2016.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.380 Additional authorities invested in party state licensing boards.
*335.380. Additional authorities invested in party state licensing boards. — 1. In addition to the other powers conferred by state law, a licensing board shall have the authority to:
(1) Take adverse action against a nurse's multistate licensure privilege to practice within that party state;
(a) Only the home state shall have the power to take adverse action against a nurse's license issued by the home state;
(b) For purposes of taking adverse action, the home state licensing board shall give the same priority and effect to reported conduct received from a remote state as it would if such conduct had occurred within the home state. In so doing, the home state shall apply its own state laws to determine appropriate action;
(2) Issue cease and desist orders or impose an encumbrance on a nurse's authority to practice within that party state;
(3) Complete any pending investigations of a nurse who changes primary state of residence during the course of such investigations. The licensing board shall also have the authority to take appropriate action and shall promptly report the conclusions of such investigations to the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system. The administrator of the coordinated licensure information system shall promptly notify the new home state of any such actions;
(4) Issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations that require the attendance and testimony of witnesses as well as the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued by a licensing board in a party state for the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence from another party state shall be enforced in the latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction according to the practice and procedure of that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings pending before it. The issuing authority shall pay any witness fees, travel expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the service statutes of the state in which the witnesses or evidence are located;
(5) Obtain and submit, for each nurse licensure applicant, fingerprint or other biometric based information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for criminal background checks, receive the results of the Federal Bureau of Investigation record search on criminal background checks, and use the results in making licensure decisions;
(6) If otherwise permitted by state law, recover from the affected nurse the costs of investigations and disposition of cases resulting from any adverse action taken against that nurse; and
(7) Take adverse action based on the factual findings of the remote state; provided that, the licensing board follows its own procedures for taking such adverse action.
2. If adverse action is taken by the home state against a nurse's multistate license, the nurse's multistate licensure privilege to practice in all other party states shall be deactivated until all encumbrances have been removed from the multistate license. All home state disciplinary orders that impose adverse action against a nurse's multistate license shall include a statement that the nurse's multistate licensure privilege is deactivated in all party states during the pendency of the order.
3. Nothing in this compact shall override a party state's decision that participation in an alternative program may be used in lieu of adverse action. The home state licensing board shall deactivate the multistate licensure privilege under the multistate license of any nurse for the duration of the nurse's participation in an alternative program.
(L. 2016 H.B. 1816 merged with S.B. 608 merged with S.B. 635) Effective 7-20-17, see § 335.420. *S.B. 608 was vetoed July 5, 2016. The veto was overridden on September 14, 2016.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.385 Coordinated licensure information system and exchange of information.
*335.385. Coordinated licensure information system and exchange of information. — 1. All party states shall participate in a coordinated licensure information system of all licensed registered nurses, "RNs", and licensed practical or vocational nurses, "LPNs" or "VNs". This system shall include information on the licensure and disciplinary history of each nurse, as submitted by party states, to assist in the coordination of nurse licensure and enforcement efforts.
2. The commission, in consultation with the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system, shall formulate necessary and proper procedures for the identification, collection, and exchange of information under this compact.
3. All licensing boards shall promptly report to the coordinated licensure information system any adverse action, any current significant investigative information, denials of applications with the reasons for such denials, and nurse participation in alternative programs known to the licensing board regardless of whether such participation is deemed nonpublic or confidential under state law.
4. Current significant investigative information and participation in nonpublic or confidential alternative programs shall be transmitted through the coordinated licensure information system only to party state licensing boards.
5. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all party state licensing boards contributing information to the coordinated licensure information system may designate information that shall not be shared with non-party states or disclosed to other entities or individuals without the express permission of the contributing state.
6. Any personally identifiable information obtained from the coordinated licensure information system by a party state licensing board shall not be shared with non-party states or disclosed to other entities or individuals except to the extent permitted by the laws of the party state contributing the information.
7. Any information contributed to the coordinated licensure information system that is subsequently required to be expunged by the laws of the party state contributing that information shall also be expunged from the coordinated licensure information system.
8. The compact administrator of each party state shall furnish a uniform data set to the compact administrator of each other party state, which shall include, at a minimum:
(1) Identifying information;
(2) Licensure data;
(3) Information related to alternative program participation; and
(4) Other information that may facilitate the administration of this compact, as determined by commission rules.
9. The compact administrator of a party state shall provide all investigative documents and information requested by another party state.
(L. 2016 H.B. 1816 merged with S.B. 608 merged with S.B. 635) Effective 7-20-17, see § 335.420. *S.B. 608 was vetoed July 5, 2016. The veto was overridden on September 14, 2016.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.390 Establishment of the interstate commission of nurse licensure compact ...
*335.390. Establishment of the interstate commission of nurse licensure compact administrators. — 1. The party states hereby create and establish a joint public entity known as the "Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators".
(1) The commission is an instrumentality of the party states.
(2) Venue is proper, and judicial proceedings by or against the commission shall be brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the commission is located. The commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
(3) Nothing in this compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity.
2. (1) Each party state shall have and be limited to one administrator. The head of the state licensing board or designee shall be the administrator of this compact for each party state. Any administrator may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which the administrator is appointed. Any vacancy occurring in the commission shall be filled in accordance with the laws of the party state in which the vacancy exists.
(2) Each administrator shall be entitled to one vote with regard to the promulgation of rules and creation of bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the business and affairs of the commission. An administrator shall vote in person or by such other means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide for an administrator's participation in meetings by telephone or other means of communication.
(3) The commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional meetings shall be held as set forth in the bylaws or rules of the commission.
(4) All meetings shall be open to the public, and public notice of meetings shall be given in the same manner as required under the rulemaking provisions in section 335.395 .
(5) The commission may convene in a closed, nonpublic meeting if the commission must discuss:
(a) Noncompliance of a party state with its obligations under this compact;
(b) The employment, compensation, discipline, or other personnel matters, practices, or procedures related to specific employees, or other matters related to the commission's internal personnel practices and procedures;
(c) Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation;
(d) Negotiation of contracts for the purchase or sale of goods, services, or real estate;
(e) Accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any person;
(f) Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential;
(g) Disclosure of information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
(h) Disclosure of investigatory records compiled for law enforcement purposes;
(i) Disclosure of information related to any reports prepared by or on behalf of the commission for the purpose of investigation of compliance with this compact; or
(j) Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or state statute.
(6) If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to subdivision (5) of this subsection, the commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting shall be closed and shall reference each relevant exempting provision. The commission shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefor, including a description of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
3. The commission shall, by a majority vote of the administrators, prescribe bylaws or rules to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and exercise the powers of this compact including, but not limited to:
(1) Establishing the fiscal year of the commission;
(2) Providing reasonable standards and procedures:
(a) For the establishment and meetings of other committees; and
(b) Governing any general or specific delegation of any authority or function of the commission;
(3) Providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the commission, ensuring reasonable advance notice of all meetings and providing an opportunity for attendance of such meetings by interested parties, with enumerated exceptions designed to protect the public's interest, the privacy of individuals, and proprietary information, including trade secrets. The commission may meet in closed session only after a majority of the administrators vote to close a meeting in whole or in part. As soon as practicable, the commission must make public a copy of the vote to close the meeting revealing the vote of each administrator, with no proxy votes allowed;
(4) Establishing the titles, duties, and authority and reasonable procedures for the election of the officers of the commission;
(5) Providing reasonable standards and procedures for the establishment of the personnel policies and programs of the commission. Notwithstanding any civil service or other similar laws of any party state, the bylaws shall exclusively govern the personnel policies and programs of the commission; and
(6) Providing a mechanism for winding up the operations of the commission and the equitable disposition of any surplus funds that may exist after the termination of this compact after the payment or reserving of all of its debts and obligations.
4. The commission shall publish its bylaws and rules, and any amendments thereto, in a convenient form on the website of the commission.
5. The commission shall maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws.
6. The commission shall meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this compact and the bylaws.
7. The commission shall have the following powers:
(1) To promulgate uniform rules to facilitate and coordinate implementation and administration of this compact. The rules shall have the force and effect of law and shall be binding in all party states;
(2) To bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the commission; provided that, the standing of any licensing board to sue or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected;
(3) To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;
(4) To borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel including, but not limited to, employees of a party state or nonprofit organizations;
(5) To cooperate with other organizations that administer state compacts related to the regulation of nursing including, but not limited to, sharing administrative or staff expenses, office space, or other resources;
(6) To hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, grant such individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of this compact, and to establish the commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel matters;
(7) To accept any and all appropriate donations, grants and gifts of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and to receive, utilize, and dispose of the same; provided that, at all times the commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest;
(8) To lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve, or use, any property, whether real, personal, or mixed; provided that, at all times the commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety;
(9) To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property, whether real, personal, or mixed;
(10) To establish a budget and make expenditures;
(11) To borrow money;
(12) To appoint committees, including advisory committees comprised of administrators, state nursing regulators, state legislators or their representatives, consumer representatives, and other such interested persons;
(13) To provide and receive information from, and to cooperate with, law enforcement agencies;
(14) To adopt and use an official seal; and
(15) To perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this compact consistent with the state regulation of nurse licensure and practice.
8. (1) The commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.
(2) The commission may also levy on and collect an annual assessment from each party state to cover the cost of its operations, activities, and staff in its annual budget as approved each year. The aggregate annual assessment amount, if any, shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the commission, which shall promulgate a rule that is binding upon all party states.
(3) The commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the commission pledge the credit of any of the party states, except by and with the authority of such party state.
(4) The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the commission.
9. (1) The administrators, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives of the commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property, personal injury, or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that, nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to protect any such person from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct of that person.
(2) The commission shall defend any administrator, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that, nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that person from retaining his or her own counsel; and provided further that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from that person's intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct.
(3) The commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any administrator, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that, the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct of that person.
(L. 2016 H.B. 1816 merged with S.B. 608 merged with S.B. 635) Effective 7-20-17, see § 335.420. *S.B. 608 was vetoed July 5, 2016. The veto was overridden on September 14, 2016.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.395 Rulemaking.
*335.395. Rulemaking. — 1. The commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set forth in this section and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments shall become binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment and shall have the same force and effect as provisions of this compact.
2. Rules or amendments to the rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the commission.
3. Prior to promulgation and adoption of a final rule or rules by the commission, and at least sixty days in advance of the meeting at which the rule shall be considered and voted upon, the commission shall file a notice of proposed rulemaking:
(1) On the website of the commission; and
(2) On the website of each licensing board or the publication in which each state would otherwise publish proposed rules.
4. The notice of proposed rulemaking shall include:
(1) The proposed time, date, and location of the meeting in which the rule shall be considered and voted upon;
(2) The text of the proposed rule or amendment, and the reason for the proposed rule;
(3) A request for comments on the proposed rule from any interested person;
(4) The manner in which interested persons may submit notice to the commission of their intention to attend the public hearing and any written comments.
5. Prior to adoption of a proposed rule, the commission shall allow persons to submit written data, facts, opinions, and arguments, which shall be made available to the public.
6. The commission shall grant an opportunity for a public hearing before it adopts a rule or amendment.
7. The commission shall publish the place, time, and date of the scheduled public hearing.
(1) Hearings shall be conducted in a manner providing each person who wishes to comment a fair and reasonable opportunity to comment orally or in writing. All hearings shall be recorded, and a copy shall be made available upon request.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a separate hearing on each rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the commission at hearings required by this section.
8. If no one appears at the public hearing, the commission may proceed with promulgation of the proposed rule.
9. Following the scheduled hearing date, or by the close of business on the scheduled hearing date if the hearing was not held, the commission shall consider all written and oral comments received.
10. The commission shall, by majority vote of all administrators, take final action on the proposed rule and shall determine the effective date of the rule, if any, based on the rulemaking record and the full text of the rule.
11. Upon determination that an emergency exists, the commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule without prior notice, opportunity for comment, or hearing; provided that, the usual rulemaking procedures provided in this compact and in this section shall be retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety days after the effective date of the rule. For the purposes of this provision, an emergency rule is one that shall be adopted immediately in order to:
(1) Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare;
(2) Prevent a loss of commission or party state funds; or
(3) Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule that is required by federal law or rule.
12. The commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted rule or amendment for purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public notice of any revisions shall be posted on the website of the commission. The revision shall be subject to challenge by any person for a period of thirty days after posting. The revision shall be challenged only on grounds that the revision results in a material change to a rule. A challenge shall be made in writing and delivered to the commission prior to the end of the notice period. If no challenge is made, the revision shall take effect without further action. If the revision is challenged, the revision shall not take effect without the approval of the commission.
(L. 2016 H.B. 1816 merged with S.B. 608 merged with S.B. 635) Effective 7-20-17, see § 335.420. *S.B. 608 was vetoed July 5, 2016. The veto was overridden on September 14, 2016.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.400 Oversight, dispute resolution and enforcement.
*335.400. Oversight, dispute resolution and enforcement. — 1. (1) Each party state shall enforce this compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate this compact's purposes and intent.
(2) The commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any proceeding that may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the commission, and shall have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process in such proceeding to the commission shall render a judgment or order void as to the commission, this compact, or promulgated rules.
2. (1) If the commission determines that a party state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact or the promulgated rules, the commission shall:
(a) Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other party states of the nature of the default, the proposed means of curing the default, or any other action to be taken by the commission; and
(b) Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.
(2) If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state's membership in this compact shall be terminated upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the administrators, and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred by this compact shall be terminated on the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of default.
(3) Termination of membership in this compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the commission to the governor of the defaulting state, to the executive officer of the defaulting state's licensing board, and each of the party states.
(4) A state whose membership in this compact has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination.
(5) The commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default or whose membership in this compact has been terminated unless agreed upon in writing between the commission and the defaulting state.
(6) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district in which the commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorneys' fees.
3. (1) Upon request by a party state, the commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the compact that arise among party states and between party and non-party states.
(2) The commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes, as appropriate.
(3) In the event the commission cannot resolve disputes among party states arising under this compact:
(a) The party states shall submit the issues in dispute to an arbitration panel, which shall be comprised of individuals appointed by the compact administrator in each of the affected party states and an individual mutually agreed upon by the compact administrators of all the party states involved in the dispute.
(b) The decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be final and binding.
4. (1) The commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this compact.
(2) By majority vote, the commission may initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district in which the commission has its principal offices against a party state that is in default to enforce compliance with the provisions of this compact and its promulgated rules and bylaws. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorneys' fees.
(3) The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the commission. The commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or state law.
(L. 2016 H.B. 1816 merged with S.B. 608 merged with S.B. 635) Effective 7-20-17, see § 335.420. *S.B. 608 was vetoed July 5, 2016. The veto was overridden on September 14, 2016.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.405 Effective date, withdrawal and amendment.
*335.405. Effective date, withdrawal and amendment. — 1. This compact shall become effective and binding on the earlier of the date of legislative enactment of this compact into law by no less than twenty-six states or December 31, 2018. All party states to this compact that also were parties to the prior Nurse Licensure Compact superseded by this compact ("prior compact") shall be deemed to have withdrawn from said prior compact within six months after the effective date of this compact.
2. Each party state to this compact shall continue to recognize a nurse's multistate licensure privilege to practice in that party state issued under the prior compact until such party state has withdrawn from the prior compact.
3. Any party state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing the same. A party state's withdrawal shall not take effect until six months after enactment of the repealing statute.
4. A party state's withdrawal or termination shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing or terminated state's licensing board to report adverse actions and significant investigations occurring prior to the effective date of such withdrawal or termination.
5. Nothing contained in this compact shall be construed to invalidate or prevent any nurse licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a party state and a non-party state that is made in accordance with the other provisions of this compact.
6. This compact may be amended by the party states. No amendment to this compact shall become effective and binding upon the party states unless and until it is enacted into the laws of all party states.
7. Representatives of non-party states to this compact shall be invited to participate in the activities of the commission on a nonvoting basis prior to the adoption of this compact by all states.
(L. 2016 H.B. 1816 merged with S.B. 608 merged with S.B. 635) Effective 7-20-17, see § 335.420. *S.B. 608 was vetoed July 5, 2016. The veto was overridden on September 14, 2016.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.410 Construction and severability.
*335.410. Construction and severability. — This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any party state or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any party state, this compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining party states and in full force and effect as to the party state affected as to all severable matters.
(L. 2016 H.B. 1816 merged with S.B. 608 merged with S.B. 635) Effective 7-20-17, see § 335.420. *S.B. 608 was vetoed July 5, 2016. The veto was overridden on September 14, 2016.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.415 Head of the nurse licensing board defined.
*335.415. Head of the nurse licensing board defined. — 1. The term "head of the nurse licensing board" as referred to in section 335.390 of this compact shall mean the executive director of the Missouri state board of nursing.
2. This compact is designed to facilitate the regulation of nurses, and does not relieve employers from complying with statutorily imposed obligations.
3. This compact does not supersede existing state labor laws.
(L. 2016 H.B. 1816 merged with S.B. 608 merged with S.B. 635) Effective 7-20-17, see § 335.420. *S.B. 608 was vetoed July 5, 2016. The veto was overridden on September 14, 2016.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 335.420 Contingent effective date.
*335.420. Contingent effective date. — The repeal of sections 335.300 to 335.355 and the enactment of sections 335.360 to 335.415 of this act shall become effective on December 31, 2018, or upon the enactment of sections 335.360 to 335.415 of this act by no less than twenty-six states and notification of such enactment to the revisor of statutes by the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators, whichever occurs first.
(L. 2016 H.B. 1816 § B merged with S.B. 608 § B merged with S.B. 635 § C) Effective 8-28-16 (H.B. 1816); 8-28-16 (S.B. 635); *10-14-16 (S.B. 608), see § 21.250 *S.B. 608 was vetoed July 5, 2016. The veto was overridden on September 14, 2016. *Revisor's Note: The enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact became effective on July 20, 2017, with the enactment of the Compact by the twenty-sixth state (North Carolina). The implementation date of the Compact is January 19, 2018.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=335Fetched: 10/17/2026