(1) An applicant for licensure as an ARNP shall have the following qualifications:

(a) An active Washington state RN license, without sanctions or restrictions;

(b) A graduate degree from an advanced nursing education program accredited by a national nursing accreditation body recognized by the United States Department of Education;

(d) Completion of advanced clinical practice hours, as defined in WAC 246-840-010(1) and in the role of an advanced practice nurse as defined in WAC 246-840-010(2), when applicable, in situations under subsection (3) of this section.

(2) An applicant for ARNP licensure shall submit:

(a) A completed ARNP application for licensure to the commission;

(b) The license fee as specified in WAC 246-840-990;

(c) A request to the certifying body, as identified in WAC 246-840-302, to send official documentation of certification directly to the commission;

(d) A request to the advanced nursing educational program to send an official transcript directly to the commission showing courses, grades, degree or certificate granted, official seal, and appropriate registrar; and

(e) Program objectives and course descriptions when requested by the commission.

(3) To be granted a license without meeting the advanced clinical practice requirements identified in subsection (4) of this section, the ARNP shall initiate the application process within one year of earning a graduate degree from an advanced nursing education program.

(4) An ARNP applicant who does not apply within one year of earning a graduate degree from an advanced nursing education program may be eligible to receive an ARNP interim permit for the purpose of completing one hundred twenty-five hours of advanced clinical practice for every additional year following graduation, not to exceed one thousand hours. The ARNP interim permit expires one year after the submission of the application.

(a) An ARNP applicant's clinical practice must be supervised by an ARNP under chapter 18.79 RCW, a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW, an osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW, or equivalent licensure in another state or United States jurisdiction. The ARNP interim permit holder must complete supervised advanced clinical practice as defined in subsections (4) and (5) of this section.

(b) The supervisor must be in the same practice specialty in which the applicant is seeking licensure. The supervising ARNP or physician:

(i) Shall have an active ARNP or physician license, for two or more years, without sanctions or restrictions;

(ii) Must not be a member of the applicant's immediate family, as defined in RCW 42.17A.005(27); or have a financial, business, or professional relationship that is in conflict with the proper discharge of the supervisor's duties to impartially supervise and evaluate the nurse;

(iii) Must not have current disciplinary action on their license;

(iv) Shall submit documented evidence to the commission verifying the applicant's successful completion of the required supervised clinical practice hours in an ARNP role.

(5) An ARNP applicant needing to complete supervised advanced clinical practice:

(a) Shall meet the requirements of subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section;

(b) Shall indicate on the ARNP application the need for an interim permit; and

(i) Commission approval of the supervising ARNP or physician; and

(ii) The interim permit.

(6) The nurse must use the designation interim ARNP at all times and on all documentation of the supervised clinical practice hours.

(7) An applicant holding an active RN license, without sanctions or restrictions; and current national certification as a CNS; and is practicing in Washington state in an advanced nursing role, will be exempt from the supervised practice requirement if they can provide evidence of two hundred fifty hours of advanced clinical practice within the last two years.

PDFWAC 246-840-340

Initial ARNP requirements.