H-1197.1

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1547

ByHouse Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Caldier, Christian, Volz, Eslick, Hutchins, and Graham)

AN ACT Relating to increasing the health care workforce by authorizing out-of-state providers to practice immediately; and adding a new section to chapter 18.79 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 18.79 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department shall issue an expedited temporary license to practice as a registered nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or licensed practical nurse to a person who:

(a) Holds a current license to practice as a registered nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or licensed practical nurse issued by a professional licensing board in California, Idaho, or Oregon;

(b) Provides to the commission, in a manner determined by the commission, sufficient proof that the person is in good standing with the issuing out-of-state professional licensing board; and

(c) Submits a completed national background check fingerprint card, if required.

(2) An expedited temporary license issued under this section permits a person to practice as a registered nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or licensed practical nurse in Washington, pending the results of the fingerprint-based national background check, to the extent allowed by rules adopted by the commission and the department, and is valid until the earliest of the following:

(a) Two years after the date of issuance; or

(b) The date the person's authorization issued by the professional licensing board in California, Idaho, or Oregon expires.

(3) An expedited temporary license issued under this section is not renewable.

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