How Many Hours Do You Have to Work to Keep Your Nursing License Active in Arizona?
How Many Hours Do You Have to Work to Keep Your Nursing License Active in Arizona?
In Arizona, both Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) must complete a minimum of 960 practice hours within the five-year period immediately preceding their license renewal date to maintain an active nursing license. This requirement, set by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, ensures that nurses maintain their skills and stay current with best practices in the nursing field. The practice hours can be completed in various settings, including direct patient care, nursing education, nursing administration, or nursing research. Compliance with these requirements helps ensure that Arizona nurses provide high-quality care to their patients.
Welcome to the Chelle Law blog! As a leading law firm in Arizona specializing in professional license defense for nurses before the Arizona Board of Nursing, our goal is to provide you with accurate and reliable information to support your nursing career. In this blog post, we will discuss the minimum number of practice hours required to maintain an active nursing license in Arizona. Our aim is to offer the most helpful, clear, and informative content on this topic, enabling you to make well-informed decisions about your profession. We will also include links to relevant sources and our Arizona Nursing Board Attorney page for further assistance.
Practice Hour Requirements for Nursing License in Arizona
In Arizona, the Arizona State Board of Nursing requires nurses to complete a specific number of practice hours to maintain an active license. According to the state’s regulations, Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) must complete at least 960 hours of nursing practice within the 24 months immediately preceding the expiration date of their license. How Many Years Is an AZ RN License Good For?
Continuing Education and Other Requirements
In addition to the minimum practice hour requirement, Arizona nurses must also complete continuing education or professional development activities to maintain their license. The requirements are as follows:
- Continuing Education: Nurses must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education within the 24 months immediately preceding the expiration date of their license. These hours must be board-approved and related to the nurse’s area of practice.
- License Renewal: Nurses must apply for license renewal through the Nurse Portal on the Arizona State Board of Nursing website. License renewal fees apply and are subject to change. As of September 2021, the renewal fee for an RN license is $160. Please check the Arizona State Board of Nursing website for the most up-to-date information on fees.
Inactive Status and Reinstatement
If a nurse does not meet the minimum practice hour requirement, they may be placed on inactive status. To reinstate an active license, the nurse must:
- Complete the required practice hours or continuing education within the specified timeframe. How Long Is the Waiting List for Nursing School in AZ?
- Submit an application for license reinstatement through the Nurse Portal on the Arizona State Board of Nursing website.
- Pay any applicable fees, which may be higher than standard renewal fees.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to maintain an active nursing license in Arizona, nurses must complete at least 960 hours of nursing practice within 24 months and fulfill continuing education requirements. If you need assistance with licensure issues or professional license defense, Chelle Law is here to help. Our experienced Arizona Nursing Board attorneys are prepared to support you with legal matters related to nursing. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
