2016 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 12 - Professions and Occupations
Health Care
Article 38 - Nurses
Part 1 - General Provisions
§ 12-38-112. Requirements for practical nurse licensure

(1) The board shall issue a license to engage in the practice of practical nursing to any applicant who:

(a) Submits an application containing such information as the board may prescribe;

(b) Submits proof satisfactory to the board in such manner and upon such forms as the board may require to show that the applicant has completed a practical nursing educational program which meets the standards of the board for approval of educational programs or which is approved by the board and to show that the applicant holds a certificate of graduation from or a certificate of completion of such approved program;

(c) Repealed.

(d) Passes an examination as provided in section 12-38-110 or is eligible for and is granted licensure by endorsement as provided in subsection (2) of this section;

(e) Pays the required fee.

(2) The board may issue a license by endorsement to engage in the practice of practical nursing in this state to any applicant who has been duly licensed or registered as a practical nurse or who is entitled to perform similar services under laws of another state or a territory of the United States or a foreign country if the applicant presents proof satisfactory to the board that, at the time of application for a Colorado license by endorsement, the applicant possesses credentials and qualifications which are substantially equivalent to requirements in Colorado for licensure by examination. The board may specify by rule and regulation what shall constitute substantially equivalent credentials and qualifications.

(3) The board shall design a questionnaire to be sent to all licensed practical nurses who apply for license renewal. Each applicant for license renewal shall complete the board-designed questionnaire. The purpose of the questionnaire is to determine whether a licensee has acted in violation of this article or been disciplined for any action that might be considered a violation of this article or might make the licensee unfit to practice nursing with reasonable care and safety. If an applicant fails to answer the questionnaire accurately, such failure shall constitute grounds for discipline under section 12-38-117 (1) (v). The board may include the cost of developing and reviewing the questionnaire in the fee paid under paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of this section. The board may refuse an application for license renewal that does not accompany an accurately completed questionnaire.