R156-31b-301c. APRN License -- Education, Examination, and Experience Requirements

  (1) An applicant for licensure as an APRN shall:

  (a) demonstrate that the applicant holds a current, active RN license in good standing;

  (b) demonstrate that the applicant has successfully completed an APRN prelicensing education program that meets the requirements of Subsection 58-31b-601(1) and Subsection 58-31b-302(4)(e);

  (c) pass a national certification examination for nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse midwife, or registered nurse anesthetist, pursuant to Section R156-31b-301e, and administered by a certification body approved by:

  (i) the National Commission for Certifying Agencies; or

  (ii) the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification;

  (d) if the applicant specializes in psychiatric mental health nursing, demonstrate that the requirements outlined in this Subsection (2) are met; and

  (e) submit to a criminal background check pursuant to Subsection 58-31b-302(5) and Section R156-31b-301g.

  (2) Requirements for APRN Specializing in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing:

  (a) In accordance with Subsection 58-31b-302(4)(g), the supervised clinical practice in mental health therapy and psychiatric and mental health nursing shall consist of a minimum of 4,000 hours of psychiatric mental health nursing education and clinical practice, including mental health therapy, as follows.

  (i) 1,000 hours shall be credited for completion of clinical experience in an approved education program in psychiatric mental health nursing.

  (ii) The remaining 3,000 hours shall:

  (A) be completed after passing the applicable national certification examination and within five years of graduation from an accredited master's or doctoral level educational program;

  (B) include a minimum of 1,000 hours of mental health therapy practice; and

  (C) include at least 2,000 clinical practice hours that are completed under the supervision of:

  (I) an APRN specializing in psychiatric mental health nursing; or

  (II) a licensed mental health therapist as delegated by the supervising APRN.

  (b) An applicant who obtains all or part of the clinical practice hours outside of Utah may receive credit for that experience by demonstrating that the training completed is equivalent in all respects to the training required under this Subsection (2)(a).

  (c)(i) An approved supervisor shall verify practice as a licensee engaged in the practice of mental health therapy for not less than 4,000 hours in a period of not less than two years.

  (ii) Duties and responsibilities of a supervisor include:

  (A) being independent from control by the supervisee such that the ability of the supervisor to supervise and direct the practice of the supervisee is not compromised;

  (B) supervising not more than three supervisees unless otherwise approved by the Division in collaboration with the Board; and

  (C) submitting appropriate documentation to the Division with respect to all work completed by the supervisee, including the supervisor's evaluation of the supervisee's competence to practice.

  (3) An applicant who holds a current APRN license issued by another state or country shall:

  (a) demonstrate that the license issued by the other state or country is current, active, and in good standing as of the date of application;

  (b) demonstrate that the APRN prelicensing education completed by the applicant:

  (i) if completed on or after January 1, 1987:

  (A) is equivalent to APRN prelicensing education approved in Utah as of the date of the applicant's graduation; or

  (B) constitutes a bachelor degree in nursing; and

  (ii) if a foreign education program, meets all requirements outlined in Section R156-31b-301d;

  (c) if the applicant specializes in psychiatric mental health nursing, demonstrate that the applicant has successfully engaged in active practice in psychiatric mental health nursing for not less than 4,000 hours in the three-year period immediately preceding the date of application; and

  (d) submit to a criminal background check pursuant to Subsection 58-31b-302(5) and Section R156-31b-301g.

  (4) An applicant who has been licensed previously in Utah, but whose license has expired, lapsed, or been on inactive status, shall:

  (a) demonstrate current certification in the individual's specialty area; and

  (b) submit to a criminal background check pursuant to Subsection 58-31b-302(5) and Section R156-31b-301g.

  (5) An applicant who has been licensed previously in another state or country, but whose license has expired or lapsed, shall:

  (a) comply with this Subsection (3)(b);

  (b) demonstrate that the applicant is currently certified in the individual's specialty area; and

  (c) submit to a criminal background check pursuant to Subsection 58-31b-302(5) and Section R156-31b-301g.