64B9-3.014. Graduates From International or Non-NCSBN Jurisdictions

(1) Graduates of International nursing programs or nursing programs in jurisdictions which are not members of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) must submit an evaluation from a credentialing agency approved by the Board.

(2) Approved credentialing agencies must meet the following criteria:

(a) The credentialing agency must be a member of a national credentialing organization that sets performance standards for the industry, and must adhere to those standards.

(b) The credentialing agency’s standards must be monitored by an external committee of credentialing experts and nursing educators.

(c) The credentialing agency must demonstrate the ability to accurately analyze academic and licensure credentials in terms of U.S. comparability, with course-by-course analysis for nursing academic records.

(d) The credentialing agency must manage the translation of original documents into English.

(e) The credentialing agency will inform the Board of Nursing in the event applicant documents are found to be fraudulent.

(f) The credentialing agency must have been in the business of evaluating nursing education for a minimum of 10 years.

(3) Credentials evaluation report.

(a) The references used in the evaluation must be cited in the credentials report.

(b) The credentials report must state the language of nursing instruction and the language of textbooks for nursing education.

(c) The credentialing agency must use only original source documentation in evaluating nursing education.

(d) The report must state the comparability of the foreign education to U.S. and to Florida Board of Nursing standards.

(e) The report must detail course clock hours for theory and clinical components of nursing education.

(4) In order for the applicant to meet the educational requirements of Section 464.008, F.S., the credentials report and transcripts must include all courses set forth in Section 464.019, F.S., and must demonstrate, at a minimum, the following equivalency to hours of theoretical and clinical instruction:

(a) Registered nursing programs:

1. 70 theory hours and 127 clinical hours in medical nursing,

2. 45 theory hours and 104 clinical hours in surgical nursing,

3. 31 theory hours and 44 clinical hours in obstetrical nursing,

4. 32 theory hours and 43 clinical hours in pediatric nursing; and,

5. 34 theory hours and 53 clinical hours in psychiatric/mental health nursing.

(b) Practical nursing programs:

1. 87 theory hours and 115 clinical hours in medical nursing,

2. 76 theory hours and 103 clinical hours in surgical nursing,

3. 34 theory hours and 47 hours in obstetrics nursing; and,

4. 27 theory hours and 38 clinical hours in pediatrics nursing.

(c) Registered and practical nursing programs must meet the requirements of Sections 464.019(1)(f) and (g), F.S.

(5) An applicant who has passed the examination more than five (5) years prior to application but was not issued a license is required to take a remedial course as specified in Rule 64B9-3.0025, F.A.C., prior to licensure.

Rulemaking Authority 456.036(10), 464.006 FS. Law Implemented 456.013(1), 456.036(10), 464.008 FS. History–New 4-19-00, Amended 10-22-07, 5-31-09, 3-8-10, 5-8-12, 4-10-16, 4-10-22.