Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 17 - PROFESSIONS, OCCUPATIONS, AND BUSINESSES (§§ 17-1-101 — 17-107-311) › Subtitle 3 - MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (§§ 17-80-101 — 17-107-311) › Chapter 87 - NURSES (§§ 17-87-101 — 17-87-808) › Subchapter 3 - LICENSING (§§ 17-87-301 — 17-87-316) › Section 17-87-314 - Full independent practice authority - Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee - Members and duties - Definition

(a)
As used in this section, "full independent practice authority" means the ability of a certified nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist to practice with prescriptive authority without a collaborative practice agreement as described in §
17-87-310
.
(b)
(1)
The Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee may grant a certificate of full independent practice authority to a certified nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist who submits:
(A)
An application;
(B)
An appropriate application fee as determined by the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee;
(C)
Proof of successful completion of six thousand two hundred forty (6,240) hours of practice:
(i)
Under a board-required agreement with a physician; or
(ii)
From another state, territory, or foreign country that authorizes a certified nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist to practice with prescriptive authority if the certified nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist:
(a)
Has prescriptive authority in the state, territory, or foreign country; and
(b)
Provides proof of his or her licensure in good standing from:
(1)
The state, territory, or foreign country; and
(2)
The Arkansas State Board of Nursing; and
(D)
Any other relevant information as determined by the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee.
(2)
A certificate of full independent practice authority shall be renewed every three (3) years with an appropriate renewal fee as determined by the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee.
(c)
A certified nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist with a certificate of full independent practice authority may receive and prescribe drugs, medicines, or therapeutic devices appropriate to the certified nurse practitioner's area of practice or the clinical nurse specialist's area of practice.
(d)
(1)
The Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee is created within the Department of Health.
(2)
The Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee shall consist of the following members:
(A)
The following members appointed by the Governor:
(i)
Three (3) faculty physicians from each of the following institutions upon consulting with the heads of the institutions:
(a)
The College of Medicine of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences;
(b)
The Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Smith; and
(c)
The New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro;
(ii)
One (1) physician from the state at large;
(iii)
Three (3) faculty certified nurse practitioners from nursing schools in this state upon consulting with the heads of the nursing schools; and
(iv)
One (1) certified nurse practitioner from the state at large;
(B)
The Director of the Arkansas State Medical Board as an ex officio nonvoting member; and
(C)
The Director of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing as an ex officio nonvoting member.
(3)
(A)
(i)
Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee members shall serve three-year terms.
(ii)
Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee members shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.
(B)
A Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee member shall serve until a successor is appointed by the appropriate appointing entity.
(4)
(A)
The Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee shall elect a chair with powers and duties determined by the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee.
(B)
The chair may be elected for no more than two (2) consecutive terms.
(5)
(A)
A quorum of the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee shall be five (5) members.
(B)
The Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee shall hold a meeting at least quarterly and at other times the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee considers advisable to perform the duties described in subsection (e) of this section.
(6)
The members of the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee shall receive mileage and per diem as is now provided to members of the appropriate appointing entity.
(e)
The Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee shall:
(1)
(A)
Review and approve or deny all applications for a certificate of full independent practice authority for certified nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists and for renewal of a certificate of full independent practice authority for a certified nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist.
(B)
If the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee denies an application for a certificate of full independent practice authority, the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee shall explain the reasons for the denial in writing to the applicant;
(2)
Review complaints made against certified nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists who have a certificate of full independent practice authority;
(3)
Review recommendations made by the Arkansas State Medical Board and the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and notify the certified nurse practitioner or the clinical nurse specialist of any action taken by the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee based on the recommendations;
(4)
(A)
If the action taken is suspension or revocation of the certificate of full independent practice authority, hold a hearing providing the certified nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist who has a certificate of full independent practice authority with ten (10) days' notice in writing to appear before the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee, at the time and place as the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee may direct, to show cause as to why his or her certificate of full independent practice authority should not be suspended or revoked.
(B)
At the hearing, the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee shall:
(i)
(a)
Have the power to subpoena witnesses.
(b)
The Chair of the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee or his or her designee shall sign subpoenas and have the power to administer oaths;
(ii)
Hear evidence; and
(iii)
(a)
Determine if the certificate of full independent practice authority should be suspended or revoked.
(b)
If the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee determines that the certificate of full independent practice authority should be suspended or revoked, the suspension or revocation shall take place immediately.
(C)
However, only the Arkansas State Board of Nursing has the authority to suspend or revoke the nursing license of a certified nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist; and
(5)
Provide reports quarterly and upon request regarding the number of applicants approved and denied to the Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor and the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor.
(f)
(1)
The Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee may consult with the Arkansas State Medical Board and the Arkansas State Board of Nursing as determined by the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee based on the complaint.
(2)
The Arkansas State Medical Board and the Arkansas State Board of Nursing may make recommendations to the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee.
(g)
A certified nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist whose certificate of full independent practice authority has been denied, suspended, or revoked by the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee under this section may appeal the action of the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee under the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, §
25-15-201
et seq.
(h)
A certified nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist with a certificate of full independent practice authority shall conspicuously identify the certificate of full independent practice authority and that the certified nurse practitioner or the clinical nurse specialist is not required to have a collaborative practice agreement on signage in the office where the certified nurse practitioner or the clinical nurse specialist practices.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 872,§ 3, eff. 8/1/2023.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 872,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2023.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 872,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2023.
Added by Act 2021, No. 412,§ 2, eff. 7/28/2021.