DORA Working to Process Licensees

The Division of Professions and Occupations and the State Board of Nursing have been working diligently since the enactment of SB 18-027, Concerning the enactment of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact,on January 18, 2018, to find a solution for those applicants and nurses affected by the new requirements of the eNLC. For those nurses licensed between July 21, 2017 and January 18, 2018, the Board partnered with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing to obtain a 90-day extension of their compact privileges. This provides a 90-day window for the implementation of the Colorado Bureau of Investigations’ fingerprint background check process and the review of the completed background check. For those applicants who are qualified for licensure but for the required fingerprint background check, the Board and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing have approved the issuance of a 180-day temporary permit, pending an attestation that the applicant has fully disclosed his or her criminal history on the application. This gap measure will authorize the permit holder to practice nursing, in a setting in which a Colorado licensed professional nurse is providing supervision, while awaiting the implementation of the Colorado Bureau of Investigations’ fingerprint background check process and the review of the completed background check. The Board believes this process will provide an opportunity for the qualified applicant to work during this transitory phase while still ensuring both compliance with the compact and public protection. We sincerely appreciate your support during this transition and welcome your feedback. -- Karen M. McGovern Deputy Director, Legal Affairs Division of Professions and Occupations