Maryland Health Occupations Section 8-302

      (a)      Except as otherwise provided in this title, to qualify for a license or certification, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section.

      (b)      An applicant for certification as a certified nurse practitioner shall:

            (1)      Be a registered nurse;

            (2)      Complete a nurse practitioner program approved by the Board; and

            (3)      Meet the other requirements that the Board sets.

      (c)      An applicant for a license to practice registered nursing shall complete satisfactorily and meet all requirements for a diploma or degree from:

            (1)      A registered nursing education program approved by the Board; or

            (2)      An education program in registered nursing in any other state or country that the Board finds substantially equivalent to the program in this State.

      (d)      An applicant for a license to practice licensed practical nursing shall:

            (1)      Meet all requirements for a high school diploma or its equivalent; and

            (2)      Complete satisfactorily and meet all requirements for a diploma from:

                  (i)      A licensed practical nursing education program or its equivalent approved by the Board; or

                  (ii)      An education program in licensed practical nursing in any other state or country that the Board finds substantially equivalent to the program in this State.

      (e)      Except as otherwise provided in this title, the applicant shall pass an examination approved by the Board.

      (f)      (1)      Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Board shall require as part of its examination or licensing procedures that an applicant for a license to practice registered nursing or licensed practical nursing demonstrate an oral competency in the English language.

            (2)      Graduation from a recognized English-speaking undergraduate school after at least 3 years of enrollment, or from a recognized English-speaking professional school is acceptable as proof of proficiency in the oral communication of the English language under this section.

            (3)      By regulation, the Board shall develop a procedure for testing individuals who because of their speech impairment are unable to complete satisfactorily a Board approved standardized test of oral competency.

            (4)      If any disciplinary charges or action that involves a problem with the oral communication of the English language are brought against a licensee under this title, the Board shall require the licensee to take and pass a Board approved standardized test of oral competency.

            (5)      The Board may not require that an applicant for a license to practice registered nursing or licensed practical nursing who was previously licensed in any other state to practice registered nursing or licensed practical nursing to demonstrate an oral competency in the English language as part of its examination or licensing procedures if the other state has a similar oral competency component as part of its examination or licensing procedures.

            (6)      (i)      The Board may issue a temporary license to any applicant for a license to practice registered nursing or licensed practical nursing who was previously licensed in any other state to practice registered nursing or licensed practical nursing and who, except for the oral competency in the English language component, is otherwise qualified for a license.

                  (ii)      A temporary license issued under this subsection is valid only until the date when the next test to demonstrate oral competency in the English language is given.

      (g)      An applicant for a license or certification under this section shall be of good moral character.