Arizona Nursing License Renewal
Having a professional license means renewing it on a regular basis. This applies to RNs, LPNs and other nursing licenses. In the case of nurses, there are strict requirements a nurse must meet and keep track of in order to keep their license with the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Perhaps the most important requirement is remembering renewal dates as failing to renew on time can have serious consequences.
Nursing License Renewal
Every four years APRN, RN, LPN’s must submit an application to renew their license. The sooner a nurse renews their license the less expensive it is. For example, a nurse who renews their license on time (by April 1) pays a fee of $160 fee. Should they decide to wait on renewing, or if there is a delay, and they renew by May 1 the fee becomes $210. For each month there is a lapse in renewing the license there is an additional late fee of $50. This fee caps out at $200. If the license fails to be renewed by August 1 it will expire.
Once a nurse decides to renew their license they must include a verified statement with their application for renewal. This statement declares whether or not the nurse has been convicted of a felony. If there is a conviction, it must also include the date of discharge from the sentence.
After submitting the above, and having it approved for renewal, the nurse will get an active renewal license that is good for the next four years.
Renewal Requirements for LPNs and RNs and more
Of the listed requirements listed for renewal, applicants must only meet one of them. These practice requirements are:
- The nurse must have practiced for 960 hours or more in the last five years.
- Within the past five years, they must have graduated from a nursing program and received a degree.
- In the past five years, they must have completed a refresher course approved by an Arizona Board.
- The practicing individual must have obtained an advanced nursing degree Nursing Assistant License Renewal in the last five years.
The rules for a nursing assistant are a bit different. In Arizona, a nursing assistant must renew their certification every two years. To renew their license, they have until the last day of their birth month and must pay a $25 renewal fee. For every year the license fails to be renewed there is a late fee of $25, with a cap of $100.
Like a registered nurse and practical nurse, a nursing assistant must include a verified statement. If there is a felony conviction, it must also include the date of discharge from the sentence. Once approved, the nursing assistant will have their license for two years from the last day of their birth month.
Advanced Practice Nurses (APRN)
Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife or Clinical Nurse Specialist’s certification expire when their RN license expires.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA)
CRNA privileges expire when their RN license expires. The Board must receive official certification/re-certification from the National Board on Certification & Re-certification of Nurse Anesthetists in order to renew CRNA privileges.
Certified Medication Assistants License Renewal
Certified Medication Assistants (CMAs) have to renew their nursing medication certification every two years by the last day of their birth month. They must have worked doing medication assistant duties for at least 160 hours in the past two years.
Inactive List
The inactive list is a list of nurses who are not practicing and thus do not need to pay renewal fees. Any nurse who is licensed and is in good standing can request to be on this list. To begin practicing again, the nurse must submit a renewal application with fees including the verified statement regarding any felony convictions. Once approved, they can practice again.
What You Need to Know
Arizona is a compact nursing state, which means they belong to the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact. There are a number of member states, and if you are a resident of Arizona and practice in Arizona, you can use your license in any state that is also a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact.
So, Can a Nurse Continue to Work While Under Investigation with the Arizona Nursing Board? Yes, a licensed nurse in Arizona can continue to work while under investigation with the Arizona Board of Nursing. If an employer were to verify an Arizona nurse on NURSYS (the national database for verification of nurse licensure), the license would now show that the nurse is currently under investigation. The only time a nurse’s license would show an indication of an investigation would be if the nurse was formally disciplined by the Arizona Nursing Board.
Chelle Law is not affiliated with the Arizona Board of Nursing. If you have questions about how to renew your license or license renewal you should contact the Arizona Board of Nursing
If you’re interested in learning more about our Arizona Nursing Board Complaint services and how to protect your rights, set up a consultation with Chelle Law and our Arizona Nursing Attorney reach out to us today.