A. 6421 2
A. THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC ARE AFFECTED BY THE DEGREE OF
COMPLIANCE WITH AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES RELATED
TO STATE NURSE LICENSURE LAWS;
B. VIOLATIONS OF NURSE LICENSURE AND OTHER LAWS REGULATING THE PRAC-
TICE OF NURSING MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR HARM TO THE PUBLIC;
C. THE EXPANDED MOBILITY OF NURSES AND THE USE OF ADVANCED COMMUNI-
CATION TECHNOLOGIES AS PART OF OUR NATION'S HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM
REQUIRE GREATER COORDINATION AND COOPERATION AMONG STATES IN THE AREAS
OF NURSE LICENSURE AND REGULATION;
D. NEW PRACTICE MODALITIES AND TECHNOLOGY MAKE COMPLIANCE WITH INDI-
VIDUAL STATE NURSE LICENSURE LAWS DIFFICULT AND COMPLEX;
E. THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF DUPLICATIVE LICENSURE FOR NURSES PRACTICING
IN MULTIPLE STATES IS CUMBERSOME AND REDUNDANT FOR BOTH NURSES AND
STATES; AND
F. UNIFORMITY OF NURSE LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATES
PROMOTES PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH BENEFITS.
2. DECLARATION OF PURPOSE. THE GENERAL PURPOSES OF THIS COMPACT ARE
TO:
A. FACILITATE THE STATES' RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S
HEALTH AND SAFETY;
B. ENSURE AND ENCOURAGE THE COOPERATION OF PARTY STATES IN THE AREAS
OF NURSE LICENSURE AND REGULATION;
C. FACILITATE THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BETWEEN PARTY STATES IN THE
AREAS OF NURSE REGULATION, INVESTIGATION AND ADVERSE ACTIONS;
D. PROMOTE COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAWS GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF NURSING
IN EACH JURISDICTION;
E. INVEST ALL PARTY STATES WITH THE AUTHORITY TO HOLD A NURSE ACCOUNT-
ABLE FOR MEETING ALL STATE PRACTICE LAWS IN THE STATE IN WHICH THE
PATIENT IS LOCATED AT THE TIME CARE IS RENDERED THROUGH THE MUTUAL
RECOGNITION OF PARTY STATE LICENSES;
F. DECREASE REDUNDANCIES IN THE CONSIDERATION AND ISSUANCE OF NURSE
LICENSES; AND
G. PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERSTATE PRACTICE BY NURSES WHO MEET
UNIFORM LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS.
§ 8902. DEFINITIONS. 1. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS COMPACT:
A. "ADVERSE ACTION" MEANS ANY ADMINISTRATIVE, CIVIL, EQUITABLE OR
CRIMINAL ACTION PERMITTED BY A STATE'S LAWS WHICH IS IMPOSED BY A
LICENSING BOARD OR OTHER AUTHORITY AGAINST A NURSE, INCLUDING ACTIONS
AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL'S LICENSE OR MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE SUCH
AS REVOCATION, SUSPENSION, PROBATION, MONITORING OF THE LICENSEE, LIMI-
TATION ON THE LICENSEE'S PRACTICE, OR ANY OTHER ENCUMBRANCE ON LICENSURE
AFFECTING A NURSE'S AUTHORIZATION TO PRACTICE, INCLUDING ISSUANCE OF A
CEASE AND DESIST ACTION.
B. "ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM" MEANS A NON-DISCIPLINARY MONITORING PROGRAM
APPROVED BY A LICENSING BOARD.
C. "COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM" MEANS AN INTEGRATED
PROCESS FOR COLLECTING, STORING AND SHARING INFORMATION ON NURSE LICEN-
SURE AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES RELATED TO NURSE LICENSURE LAWS THAT IS
ADMINISTERED BY A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION COMPOSED OF AND CONTROLLED BY
LICENSING BOARDS.
D. "COMMISSION" MEANS THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION OF NURSE LICENSURE
COMPACT ADMINISTRATORS.
E. "CURRENT SIGNIFICANT INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION" MEANS:
1. INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION THAT A LICENSING BOARD, AFTER A PRELIMI-
NARY INQUIRY THAT INCLUDES NOTIFICATION AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NURSE
TO RESPOND, IF REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, HAS REASON TO BELIEVE IS NOT
A. 6421 3
GROUNDLESS AND, IF PROVED TRUE, WOULD INDICATE MORE THAN A MINOR INFRAC-
TION; OR
2. INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION THAT INDICATES THAT THE NURSE REPRESENTS
AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REGARDLESS OF WHETHER
THE NURSE HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND; OR
3. ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING A NURSE REPORTED TO A LICENSING BOARD BY
A HEALTH CARE ENTITY, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL, OR ANY OTHER PERSON,
WHICH INDICATES THAT THE NURSE DEMONSTRATED AN IMPAIRMENT, GROSS INCOM-
PETENCE, OR UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT THAT WOULD PRESENT AN IMMINENT DANGER
TO A PATIENT OR THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, OR WELFARE.
F. "ENCUMBRANCE" MEANS A REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF, OR ANY LIMITA-
TION ON, THE FULL AND UNRESTRICTED PRACTICE OF NURSING IMPOSED BY A
LICENSING BOARD.
G. "HOME STATE" MEANS THE PARTY STATE WHICH IS THE NURSE'S PRIMARY
STATE OF RESIDENCE.
H. "LICENSING BOARD" MEANS A PARTY STATE'S REGULATORY BODY RESPONSIBLE
FOR ISSUING NURSE LICENSES.
I. "MULTISTATE LICENSE" MEANS A LICENSE TO PRACTICE AS A REGISTERED
NURSE (RN) OR AS A LICENSED PRACTICAL/VOCATIONAL NURSE (LPN/VN), WHICH
IS ISSUED BY A HOME STATE LICENSING BOARD, AND WHICH AUTHORIZES THE
LICENSED NURSE TO PRACTICE IN ALL PARTY STATES UNDER A MULTISTATE LICEN-
SURE PRIVILEGE.
J. "MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE" MEANS A LEGAL AUTHORIZATION ASSO-
CIATED WITH A MULTISTATE LICENSE PERMITTING THE PRACTICE OF NURSING AS
EITHER A RN OR A LPN/VN IN A REMOTE STATE.
K. "NURSE" MEANS RN OR LPN/VN, AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED BY EACH
PARTY STATE'S PRACTICE LAWS.
L. "PARTY STATE" MEANS ANY STATE THAT HAS ADOPTED THIS COMPACT.
M. "REMOTE STATE" MEANS A PARTY STATE, OTHER THAN THE HOME STATE.
N. "SINGLE-STATE LICENSE" MEANS A NURSE LICENSE ISSUED BY A PARTY
STATE THAT AUTHORIZES PRACTICE ONLY WITHIN THE ISSUING STATE AND DOES
NOT INCLUDE A MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE TO PRACTICE IN ANY OTHER
PARTY STATE.
O. "STATE" MEANS A STATE, TERRITORY OR POSSESSION OF THE UNITED STATES
AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
P. "STATE PRACTICE LAWS" MEANS A PARTY STATE'S LAWS, RULES AND REGU-
LATIONS THAT GOVERN THE PRACTICE OF NURSING, DEFINE THE SCOPE OF NURSING
PRACTICE, AND CREATE THE METHODS AND GROUNDS FOR IMPOSING DISCIPLINE.
"STATE PRACTICE LAWS" SHALL NOT INCLUDE REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN
AND RETAIN A LICENSE, EXCEPT FOR QUALIFICATIONS OR REQUIREMENTS OF THE
HOME STATE.
§ 8903. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND JURISDICTION. 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND
JURISDICTION. A. A MULTISTATE LICENSE TO PRACTICE REGISTERED OR LICENSED
PRACTICAL/VOCATIONAL NURSING ISSUED BY A HOME STATE TO A RESIDENT IN
THAT STATE WILL BE RECOGNIZED BY EACH PARTY STATE AS AUTHORIZING A NURSE
TO PRACTICE AS A REGISTERED NURSE (RN) OR AS A LICENSED
PRACTICAL/VOCATIONAL NURSE (LPN/VN), UNDER A MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVI-
LEGE, IN EACH PARTY STATE.
B. A STATE SHALL IMPLEMENT PROCEDURES FOR CONSIDERING THE CRIMINAL
HISTORY RECORDS OF APPLICANTS FOR AN INITIAL MULTISTATE LICENSE OR
LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT. SUCH PROCEDURES SHALL INCLUDE THE SUBMISSION
OF FINGERPRINTS OR OTHER BIOMETRIC-BASED INFORMATION BY APPLICANTS FOR
THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING AN APPLICANT'S CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMA-
TION FROM THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AND THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE
FOR RETAINING THAT STATE'S CRIMINAL RECORDS.
A. 6421 4
C. EACH PARTY STATE SHALL REQUIRE ITS LICENSING BOARD TO AUTHORIZE AN
APPLICANT TO OBTAIN OR RETAIN A MULTISTATE LICENSE IN THE HOME STATE
ONLY IF THE APPLICANT:
I. MEETS THE HOME STATE'S QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE OR RENEWAL OF
LICENSURE, AND COMPLIES WITH ALL OTHER APPLICABLE STATE LAWS;
II. (1) HAS GRADUATED OR IS ELIGIBLE TO GRADUATE FROM A LICENSING
BOARD-APPROVED RN OR LPN/VN PRELICENSURE EDUCATION PROGRAM; OR
(2) HAS GRADUATED FROM A FOREIGN RN OR LPN/VN PRELICENSURE EDUCATION
PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN: (A) APPROVED BY THE AUTHORIZED ACCREDITING BODY
IN THE APPLICABLE COUNTRY, AND (B) VERIFIED BY AN INDEPENDENT CREDEN-
TIALS REVIEW AGENCY TO BE COMPARABLE TO A LICENSING BOARD-APPROVED PREL-
ICENSURE EDUCATION PROGRAM;
III. HAS, IF A GRADUATE OF A FOREIGN PRELICENSURE EDUCATION PROGRAM
NOT TAUGHT IN ENGLISH OR IF ENGLISH IS NOT THE INDIVIDUAL'S NATIVE
LANGUAGE, SUCCESSFULLY PASSED AN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION THAT
INCLUDES THE COMPONENTS OF READING, SPEAKING, WRITING AND LISTENING;
IV. HAS SUCCESSFULLY PASSED AN NCLEX-RN OR NCLEX-PN EXAMINATION OR
RECOGNIZED PREDECESSOR, AS APPLICABLE;
V. IS ELIGIBLE FOR OR HOLDS AN ACTIVE, UNENCUMBERED LICENSE;
VI. HAS SUBMITTED, IN CONNECTION WITH AN APPLICATION FOR INITIAL
LICENSURE OR LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT, FINGERPRINTS OR OTHER BIOMETRIC
DATA FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMATION
FROM THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AND THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR
RETAINING THAT STATE'S CRIMINAL RECORDS;
VII. HAS NOT BEEN CONVICTED OR FOUND GUILTY, OR HAS ENTERED INTO AN
AGREED DISPOSITION, OF A FELONY OFFENSE UNDER APPLICABLE STATE OR FEDER-
AL CRIMINAL LAW;
VIII. HAS NOT BEEN CONVICTED OR FOUND GUILTY, OR HAS ENTERED INTO AN
AGREED DISPOSITION, OF A MISDEMEANOR OFFENSE RELATED TO THE PRACTICE OF
NURSING AS DETERMINED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS;
IX. IS NOT CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM;
X. IS SUBJECT TO SELF-DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS REGARDING CURRENT
PARTICIPATION IN AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM; AND
XI. HAS A VALID UNITED STATES SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
D. ALL PARTY STATES SHALL BE AUTHORIZED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING
STATE DUE PROCESS LAW, TO TAKE ADVERSE ACTION AGAINST A NURSE'S MULTI-
STATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE SUCH AS REVOCATION, SUSPENSION, PROBATION OR
ANY OTHER ACTION THAT AFFECTS A NURSE'S AUTHORIZATION TO PRACTICE UNDER
A MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE, INCLUDING CEASE AND DESIST ACTIONS. IF
A PARTY STATE TAKES SUCH ACTION, IT SHALL PROMPTLY NOTIFY THE ADMINIS-
TRATOR OF THE COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM. THE ADMINISTRA-
TOR OF THE COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM SHALL PROMPTLY NOTI-
FY THE HOME STATE OF ANY SUCH ACTIONS BY REMOTE STATES.
E. A NURSE PRACTICING IN A PARTY STATE SHALL COMPLY WITH THE STATE
PRACTICE LAWS OF THE STATE IN WHICH THE CLIENT IS LOCATED AT THE TIME
SERVICE IS PROVIDED. THE PRACTICE OF NURSING IS NOT LIMITED TO PATIENT
CARE BUT SHALL INCLUDE ALL NURSING PRACTICE AS DEFINED BY THE STATE
PRACTICE LAWS OF THE PARTY STATE IN WHICH THE CLIENT IS LOCATED. THE
PRACTICE OF NURSING IN A PARTY STATE UNDER A MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVI-
LEGE WILL SUBJECT A NURSE TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE LICENSING BOARD,
THE COURTS AND THE LAWS OF THE PARTY STATE IN WHICH THE CLIENT IS
LOCATED AT THE TIME SERVICE IS PROVIDED.
F. INDIVIDUALS NOT RESIDING IN A PARTY STATE SHALL CONTINUE TO BE ABLE
TO APPLY FOR A PARTY STATE'S SINGLE-STATE LICENSE AS PROVIDED UNDER THE
LAWS OF EACH PARTY STATE. HOWEVER, THE SINGLE-STATE LICENSE GRANTED TO
THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL NOT BE RECOGNIZED AS GRANTING THE PRIVILEGE TO
A. 6421 5
PRACTICE NURSING IN ANY OTHER PARTY STATE. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL
AFFECT THE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY A PARTY STATE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF
A SINGLE-STATE LICENSE.
G. ANY NURSE HOLDING A HOME STATE MULTISTATE LICENSE, ON THE EFFECTIVE
DATE OF THIS COMPACT, MAY RETAIN AND RENEW THE MULTISTATE LICENSE ISSUED
BY THE NURSE'S THEN-CURRENT HOME STATE, PROVIDED THAT:
I. A NURSE, WHO CHANGES PRIMARY STATE OF RESIDENCE AFTER THIS
COMPACT'S EFFECTIVE DATE, SHALL MEET ALL APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS SET
FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE TO OBTAIN A MULTISTATE LICENSE FROM A NEW HOME
STATE.
II. A NURSE WHO FAILS TO SATISFY THE MULTISTATE LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE DUE TO A DISQUALIFYING EVENT OCCURRING AFTER
THIS COMPACT'S EFFECTIVE DATE SHALL BE INELIGIBLE TO RETAIN OR RENEW A
MULTISTATE LICENSE, AND THE NURSE'S MULTISTATE LICENSE SHALL BE REVOKED
OR DEACTIVATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE RULES ADOPTED BY THE
COMMISSION.
§ 8904. APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSURE IN A PARTY STATE. 1. APPLICATIONS
FOR LICENSURE IN A PARTY STATE. A. UPON APPLICATION FOR A MULTISTATE
LICENSE, THE LICENSING BOARD IN THE ISSUING PARTY STATE SHALL ASCERTAIN,
THROUGH THE COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM, WHETHER THE APPLI-
CANT HAS EVER HELD, OR IS THE HOLDER OF, A LICENSE ISSUED BY ANY OTHER
STATE, WHETHER THERE ARE ANY ENCUMBRANCES ON ANY LICENSE OR MULTISTATE
LICENSURE PRIVILEGE HELD BY THE APPLICANT, WHETHER ANY ADVERSE ACTION
HAS BEEN TAKEN AGAINST ANY LICENSE OR MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE
HELD BY THE APPLICANT AND WHETHER THE APPLICANT IS CURRENTLY PARTICIPAT-
ING IN AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM.
B. A NURSE MAY HOLD A MULTISTATE LICENSE, ISSUED BY THE HOME STATE, IN
ONLY ONE PARTY STATE AT A TIME.
C. IF A NURSE CHANGES PRIMARY STATE OF RESIDENCE BY MOVING BETWEEN TWO
PARTY STATES, THE NURSE MUST APPLY FOR LICENSURE IN THE NEW HOME STATE,
AND THE MULTISTATE LICENSE ISSUED BY THE PRIOR HOME STATE WILL BE DEAC-
TIVATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE RULES ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION.
I. THE NURSE MAY APPLY FOR LICENSURE IN ADVANCE OF A CHANGE IN PRIMARY
STATE OF RESIDENCE.
II. A MULTISTATE LICENSE SHALL NOT BE ISSUED BY THE NEW HOME STATE
UNTIL THE NURSE PROVIDES SATISFACTORY EVIDENCE OF A CHANGE IN PRIMARY
STATE OF RESIDENCE TO THE NEW HOME STATE AND SATISFIES ALL APPLICABLE
REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A MULTISTATE LICENSE FROM THE NEW HOME STATE.
D. IF A NURSE CHANGES PRIMARY STATE OF RESIDENCE BY MOVING FROM A
PARTY STATE TO A NON-PARTY STATE, THE MULTISTATE LICENSE ISSUED BY THE
PRIOR HOME STATE WILL CONVERT TO A SINGLE-STATE LICENSE, VALID ONLY IN
THE FORMER HOME STATE.
§ 8905. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES INVESTED IN PARTY STATE LICENSING
BOARDS. 1. LICENSING BOARD AUTHORITY. IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER POWERS
CONFERRED BY STATE LAW, A LICENSING BOARD SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO:
A. TAKE ADVERSE ACTION AGAINST A NURSE'S MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVI-
LEGE TO PRACTICE WITHIN THAT PARTY STATE.
I. ONLY THE HOME STATE SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO TAKE ADVERSE ACTION
AGAINST A NURSE'S LICENSE ISSUED BY THE HOME STATE.
II. FOR PURPOSES OF TAKING ADVERSE ACTION, THE HOME STATE LICENSING
BOARD SHALL GIVE THE SAME PRIORITY AND EFFECT TO REPORTED CONDUCT
RECEIVED FROM A REMOTE STATE AS IT WOULD IF SUCH CONDUCT HAD OCCURRED
WITHIN THE HOME STATE. IN SO DOING, THE HOME STATE SHALL APPLY ITS OWN
STATE LAWS TO DETERMINE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
B. ISSUE CEASE AND DESIST ORDERS OR IMPOSE AN ENCUMBRANCE ON A NURSE'S
AUTHORITY TO PRACTICE WITHIN THAT PARTY STATE.
A. 6421 6
C. COMPLETE ANY PENDING INVESTIGATIONS OF A NURSE WHO CHANGES PRIMARY
STATE OF RESIDENCE DURING THE COURSE OF SUCH INVESTIGATIONS. THE LICENS-
ING BOARD SHALL ALSO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION OR
ACTIONS AND SHALL PROMPTLY REPORT THE CONCLUSIONS OF SUCH INVESTIGATIONS
TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM.
THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM SHALL
PROMPTLY NOTIFY THE NEW HOME STATE OF ANY SUCH ACTIONS.
D. ISSUE SUBPOENAS FOR BOTH HEARINGS AND INVESTIGATIONS THAT REQUIRE
THE ATTENDANCE AND TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES, AS WELL AS THE PRODUCTION OF
EVIDENCE. SUBPOENAS ISSUED BY A LICENSING BOARD IN A PARTY STATE FOR THE
ATTENDANCE AND TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES OR THE PRODUCTION OF EVIDENCE FROM
ANOTHER PARTY STATE SHALL BE ENFORCED IN THE LATTER STATE BY ANY COURT
OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, ACCORDING TO THE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE OF
THAT COURT APPLICABLE TO SUBPOENAS ISSUED IN PROCEEDINGS PENDING BEFORE
IT. THE ISSUING AUTHORITY SHALL PAY ANY WITNESS FEES, TRAVEL EXPENSES,
MILEAGE AND OTHER FEES REQUIRED BY THE SERVICE STATUTES OF THE STATE IN
WHICH THE WITNESSES OR EVIDENCE ARE LOCATED.
E. OBTAIN AND SUBMIT, FOR EACH NURSE LICENSURE APPLICANT, FINGERPRINT
OR OTHER BIOMETRIC-BASED INFORMATION TO THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTI-
GATION FOR CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, RECEIVE THE RESULTS OF THE FEDER-
AL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION RECORD SEARCH ON CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS
AND USE THE RESULTS IN MAKING LICENSURE DECISIONS.
F. IF OTHERWISE PERMITTED BY STATE LAW, RECOVER FROM THE AFFECTED
NURSE THE COSTS OF INVESTIGATIONS AND DISPOSITION OF CASES RESULTING
FROM ANY ADVERSE ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THAT NURSE.
G. TAKE ADVERSE ACTION BASED ON THE FACTUAL FINDINGS OF THE REMOTE
STATE, PROVIDED THAT THE LICENSING BOARD FOLLOWS ITS OWN PROCEDURES FOR
TAKING SUCH ADVERSE ACTION.
2. ADVERSE ACTIONS. A. IF ADVERSE ACTION IS TAKEN BY THE HOME STATE
AGAINST A NURSE'S MULTISTATE LICENSE, THE NURSE'S MULTISTATE LICENSURE
PRIVILEGE TO PRACTICE IN ALL OTHER PARTY STATES SHALL BE DEACTIVATED
UNTIL ALL ENCUMBRANCES HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE MULTISTATE LICENSE.
ALL HOME STATE DISCIPLINARY ORDERS THAT IMPOSE ADVERSE ACTION AGAINST A
NURSE'S MULTISTATE LICENSE SHALL INCLUDE A STATEMENT THAT THE NURSE'S
MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE IS DEACTIVATED IN ALL PARTY STATES DURING
THE PENDENCY OF THE ORDER.
B. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL OVERRIDE A PARTY STATE'S DECISION
THAT PARTICIPATION IN AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM MAY BE USED IN LIEU OF
ADVERSE ACTION. THE HOME STATE LICENSING BOARD SHALL DEACTIVATE THE
MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE UNDER THE MULTISTATE LICENSE OF ANY NURSE
FOR THE DURATION OF THE NURSE'S PARTICIPATION IN AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM.
§ 8906. COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM AND EXCHANGE OF
INFORMATION. 1. COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM AND EXCHANGE
OF INFORMATION. A. ALL PARTY STATES SHALL PARTICIPATE IN A COORDINATED
LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM OF ALL LICENSED REGISTERED NURSES (RNS) AND
LICENSED PRACTICAL/VOCATIONAL NURSES (LPNS/VNS). THIS SYSTEM WILL
INCLUDE INFORMATION ON THE LICENSURE AND DISCIPLINARY HISTORY OF EACH
NURSE, AS SUBMITTED BY PARTY STATES, TO ASSIST IN THE COORDINATION OF
NURSE LICENSURE AND ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS.
B. THE COMMISSION, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COOR-
DINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM, SHALL FORMULATE NECESSARY AND
PROPER PROCEDURES FOR THE IDENTIFICATION, COLLECTION AND EXCHANGE OF
INFORMATION UNDER THIS COMPACT.
C. ALL LICENSING BOARDS SHALL PROMPTLY REPORT TO THE COORDINATED
LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM ANY ADVERSE ACTION, ANY CURRENT SIGNIFICANT
INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION, DENIALS OF APPLICATIONS WITH THE REASONS FOR
A. 6421 7
SUCH DENIALS AND NURSE PARTICIPATION IN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS KNOWN TO
THE LICENSING BOARD REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH PARTICIPATION IS DEEMED
NONPUBLIC OR CONFIDENTIAL UNDER STATE LAW.
D. CURRENT SIGNIFICANT INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION AND PARTICIPATION IN
NONPUBLIC OR CONFIDENTIAL ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS SHALL BE TRANSMITTED
THROUGH THE COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM ONLY TO PARTY STATE
LICENSING BOARDS.
E. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, ALL PARTY STATE LICENS-
ING BOARDS CONTRIBUTING INFORMATION TO THE COORDINATED LICENSURE INFOR-
MATION SYSTEM MAY DESIGNATE INFORMATION THAT MAY NOT BE SHARED WITH
NON-PARTY STATES OR DISCLOSED TO OTHER ENTITIES OR INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT
THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE CONTRIBUTING STATE.
F. ANY PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE COORDI-
NATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM BY A PARTY STATE LICENSING BOARD
SHALL NOT BE SHARED WITH NON-PARTY STATES OR DISCLOSED TO OTHER ENTITIES
OR INDIVIDUALS EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE LAWS OF THE PARTY
STATE CONTRIBUTING THE INFORMATION.
G. ANY INFORMATION CONTRIBUTED TO THE COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMA-
TION SYSTEM THAT IS SUBSEQUENTLY REQUIRED TO BE EXPUNGED BY THE LAWS OF
THE PARTY STATE CONTRIBUTING THAT INFORMATION SHALL ALSO BE EXPUNGED
FROM THE COORDINATED LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM.
H. THE COMPACT ADMINISTRATOR OF EACH PARTY STATE SHALL FURNISH A
UNIFORM DATA SET TO THE COMPACT ADMINISTRATOR OF EACH OTHER PARTY STATE,
WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM:
I. IDENTIFYING INFORMATION;
II. LICENSURE DATA;
III. INFORMATION RELATED TO ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION; AND
IV. OTHER INFORMATION THAT MAY FACILITATE THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS
COMPACT, AS DETERMINED BY COMMISSION RULES.
I. THE COMPACT ADMINISTRATOR OF A PARTY STATE SHALL PROVIDE ALL INVES-
TIGATIVE DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION REQUESTED BY ANOTHER PARTY STATE.
§ 8907. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION OF NURSE LICENSURE
COMPACT ADMINISTRATORS. 1. COMMISSION OF NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT ADMIN-
ISTRATORS. THE PARTY STATES HEREBY CREATE AND ESTABLISH A JOINT PUBLIC
ENTITY KNOWN AS THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION OF NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT
ADMINISTRATORS. THE COMMISSION IS AN INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE PARTY
STATES.
2. VENUE. VENUE IS PROPER, AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BY OR AGAINST THE
COMMISSION SHALL BE BROUGHT SOLELY AND EXCLUSIVELY, IN A COURT OF COMPE-
TENT JURISDICTION WHERE THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMMISSION IS
LOCATED. THE COMMISSION MAY WAIVE VENUE AND JURISDICTIONAL DEFENSES TO
THE EXTENT IT ADOPTS OR CONSENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE
RESOLUTION PROCEEDINGS.
3. SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO
BE A WAIVER OF SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY.
4. MEMBERSHIP, VOTING AND MEETINGS. A. EACH PARTY STATE SHALL HAVE AND
BE LIMITED TO ONE ADMINISTRATOR. THE HEAD OF THE STATE LICENSING BOARD
OR DESIGNEE SHALL BE THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THIS COMPACT FOR EACH PARTY
STATE. ANY ADMINISTRATOR MAY BE REMOVED OR SUSPENDED FROM OFFICE AS
PROVIDED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE FROM WHICH THE ADMINISTRATOR IS
APPOINTED. ANY VACANCY OCCURRING IN THE COMMISSION SHALL BE FILLED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE PARTY STATE IN WHICH THE VACANCY EXISTS.
B. EACH ADMINISTRATOR SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ONE VOTE WITH REGARD TO THE
PROMULGATION OF RULES AND CREATION OF BYLAWS AND SHALL OTHERWISE HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BUSINESS AND AFFAIRS OF THE COMMIS-
SION. AN ADMINISTRATOR SHALL VOTE IN PERSON OR BY SUCH OTHER MEANS AS
A. 6421 8
PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS. THE BYLAWS MAY PROVIDE FOR AN ADMINISTRATOR'S
PARTICIPATION IN MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE OR OTHER MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.
C. THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET AT LEAST ONCE DURING EACH CALENDAR YEAR.
ADDITIONAL MEETINGS SHALL BE HELD AS SET FORTH IN THE BYLAWS OR RULES OF
THE COMMISSION.
D. ALL MEETINGS SHALL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND PUBLIC NOTICE OF
MEETINGS SHALL BE GIVEN IN THE SAME MANNER AS REQUIRED UNDER THE RULE-
MAKING PROVISIONS IN SECTION EIGHTY-NINE HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTICLE.
5. CLOSED MEETINGS. A. THE COMMISSION MAY CONVENE IN A CLOSED, NONPUB-
LIC MEETING IF THE COMMISSION SHALL DISCUSS:
I. NONCOMPLIANCE OF A PARTY STATE WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS
COMPACT;
II. THE EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, DISCIPLINE OR OTHER PERSONNEL
MATTERS, PRACTICES OR PROCEDURES RELATED TO SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES OR OTHER
MATTERS RELATED TO THE COMMISSION'S INTERNAL PERSONNEL PRACTICES AND
PROCEDURES;
III. CURRENT, THREATENED OR REASONABLY ANTICIPATED LITIGATION;
IV. NEGOTIATION OF CONTRACTS FOR THE PURCHASE OR SALE OF GOODS,
SERVICES OR REAL ESTATE;
V. ACCUSING ANY PERSON OF A CRIME OR FORMALLY CENSURING ANY PERSON;
VI. DISCLOSURE OF TRADE SECRETS OR COMMERCIAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
THAT IS PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL;
VII. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION OF A PERSONAL NATURE WHERE DISCLOSURE
WOULD CONSTITUTE A CLEARLY UNWARRANTED INVASION OF PERSONAL PRIVACY;
VIII. DISCLOSURE OF INVESTIGATORY RECORDS COMPILED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
PURPOSES;
IX. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION RELATED TO ANY REPORTS PREPARED BY OR ON
BEHALF OF THE COMMISSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION OF COMPLIANCE
WITH THIS COMPACT; OR
X. MATTERS SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTED FROM DISCLOSURE BY FEDERAL OR STATE
STATUTE.
B. IF A MEETING, OR PORTION OF A MEETING, IS CLOSED PURSUANT TO THIS
PARAGRAPH THE COMMISSION'S LEGAL COUNSEL OR DESIGNEE SHALL CERTIFY THAT
THE MEETING MAY BE CLOSED AND SHALL REFERENCE EACH RELEVANT EXEMPTING
PROVISION. THE COMMISSION SHALL KEEP MINUTES THAT FULLY AND CLEARLY
DESCRIBE ALL MATTERS DISCUSSED IN A MEETING AND SHALL PROVIDE A FULL AND
ACCURATE SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN, AND THE REASONS THEREFOR, INCLUDING A
DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS EXPRESSED. ALL DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED IN
CONNECTION WITH AN ACTION SHALL BE IDENTIFIED IN SUCH MINUTES. ALL
MINUTES AND DOCUMENTS OF A CLOSED MEETING SHALL REMAIN UNDER SEAL,
SUBJECT TO RELEASE BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE COMMISSION OR ORDER OF A
COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION.
C. THE COMMISSION SHALL, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS,
PRESCRIBE BYLAWS OR RULES TO GOVERN ITS CONDUCT AS MAY BE NECESSARY OR
APPROPRIATE TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES AND EXERCISE THE POWERS OF THIS
COMPACT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
I. ESTABLISHING THE FISCAL YEAR OF THE COMMISSION;
II. PROVIDING REASONABLE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES:
(1) FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MEETINGS OF OTHER COMMITTEES; AND
(2) GOVERNING ANY GENERAL OR SPECIFIC DELEGATION OF ANY AUTHORITY OR
FUNCTION OF THE COMMISSION;
III. PROVIDING REASONABLE PROCEDURES FOR CALLING AND CONDUCTING MEET-
INGS OF THE COMMISSION, ENSURING REASONABLE ADVANCE NOTICE OF ALL MEET-
INGS AND PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ATTENDANCE OF SUCH MEETINGS BY
INTERESTED PARTIES, WITH ENUMERATED EXCEPTIONS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE
PUBLIC'S INTEREST, THE PRIVACY OF INDIVIDUALS, AND PROPRIETARY INFORMA-
A. 6421 9
TION, INCLUDING TRADE SECRETS. THE COMMISSION MAY MEET IN CLOSED SESSION
ONLY AFTER A MAJORITY OF THE ADMINISTRATORS VOTE TO CLOSE A MEETING IN
WHOLE OR IN PART. AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE, THE COMMISSION MUST MAKE
PUBLIC A COPY OF THE VOTE TO CLOSE THE MEETING REVEALING THE VOTE OF
EACH ADMINISTRATOR, WITH NO PROXY VOTES ALLOWED;
IV. ESTABLISHING THE TITLES, DUTIES AND AUTHORITY AND REASONABLE
PROCEDURES FOR THE ELECTION OF THE OFFICERS OF THE COMMISSION;
V. PROVIDING REASONABLE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF THE PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS OF THE COMMISSION. NOTWITHSTAND-
ING ANY CIVIL SERVICE OR OTHER SIMILAR LAWS OF ANY PARTY STATE, THE
BYLAWS SHALL EXCLUSIVELY GOVERN THE PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS OF
THE COMMISSION; AND
VI. PROVIDING A MECHANISM FOR WINDING UP THE OPERATIONS OF THE COMMIS-
SION AND THE EQUITABLE DISPOSITION OF ANY SURPLUS FUNDS THAT MAY EXIST
AFTER THE TERMINATION OF THIS COMPACT AFTER THE PAYMENT OR RESERVING OF
ALL OF ITS DEBTS AND OBLIGATIONS.
6. GENERAL PROVISIONS. A. THE COMMISSION SHALL PUBLISH ITS BYLAWS AND
RULES, AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO, IN A CONVENIENT FORM ON THE WEBSITE
OF THE COMMISSION.
B. THE COMMISSION SHALL MAINTAIN ITS FINANCIAL RECORDS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE BYLAWS.
C. THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET AND TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AS ARE CONSISTENT
WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS COMPACT AND THE BYLAWS.
7. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING
POWERS:
A. TO PROMULGATE UNIFORM RULES TO FACILITATE AND COORDINATE IMPLEMEN-
TATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THIS COMPACT. THE RULES SHALL HAVE THE
FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAW AND SHALL BE BINDING IN ALL PARTY STATES;
B. TO BRING AND PROSECUTE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR ACTIONS IN THE NAME OF
THE COMMISSION, PROVIDED THAT THE STANDING OF ANY LICENSING BOARD TO SUE
OR BE SUED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED;
C. TO PURCHASE AND MAINTAIN INSURANCE AND BONDS;
D. TO BORROW, ACCEPT OR CONTRACT FOR SERVICES OF PERSONNEL, INCLUDING,
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, EMPLOYEES OF A PARTY STATE OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZA-
TIONS;
E. TO COOPERATE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ADMINISTER STATE
COMPACTS RELATED TO THE REGULATION OF NURSING, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO SHARING ADMINISTRATIVE OR STAFF EXPENSES, OFFICE SPACE OR OTHER
RESOURCES;
F. TO HIRE EMPLOYEES, ELECT OR APPOINT OFFICERS, FIX COMPENSATION,
DEFINE DUTIES, GRANT SUCH INDIVIDUALS APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT
THE PURPOSES OF THIS COMPACT, AND TO ESTABLISH THE COMMISSION'S PERSON-
NEL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, QUALIFICA-
TIONS OF PERSONNEL AND OTHER RELATED PERSONNEL MATTERS;
G. TO ACCEPT ANY AND ALL APPROPRIATE DONATIONS, GRANTS AND GIFTS OF
MONEY, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, MATERIALS AND SERVICES, AND TO RECEIVE,
UTILIZE AND DISPOSE OF THE SAME; PROVIDED THAT AT ALL TIMES THE COMMIS-
SION SHALL AVOID ANY APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY OR CONFLICT OF INTEREST;
H. TO LEASE, PURCHASE, ACCEPT APPROPRIATE GIFTS OR DONATIONS OF, OR
OTHERWISE TO OWN, HOLD, IMPROVE OR USE, ANY PROPERTY, WHETHER REAL,
PERSONAL OR MIXED; PROVIDED THAT AT ALL TIMES THE COMMISSION SHALL AVOID
ANY APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY;
I. TO SELL, CONVEY, MORTGAGE, PLEDGE, LEASE, EXCHANGE, ABANDON OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF ANY PROPERTY, WHETHER REAL, PERSONAL OR MIXED;
J. TO ESTABLISH A BUDGET AND MAKE EXPENDITURES;
K. TO BORROW MONEY;
A. 6421 10
L. TO APPOINT COMMITTEES, INCLUDING ADVISORY COMMITTEES COMPRISED OF
ADMINISTRATORS, STATE NURSING REGULATORS, STATE LEGISLATORS OR THEIR
REPRESENTATIVES, AND CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVES, AND OTHER SUCH INTERESTED
PERSONS;
M. TO PROVIDE AND RECEIVE INFORMATION FROM, AND TO COOPERATE WITH, LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES;
N. TO ADOPT AND USE AN OFFICIAL SEAL; AND
O. TO PERFORM SUCH OTHER FUNCTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE
TO ACHIEVE THE PURPOSES OF THIS COMPACT CONSISTENT WITH THE STATE REGU-
LATION OF NURSE LICENSURE AND PRACTICE.
8. FINANCING OF THE COMMISSION. A. THE COMMISSION SHALL PAY, OR
PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF, THE REASONABLE EXPENSES OF ITS ESTABLISH-
MENT, ORGANIZATION AND ONGOING ACTIVITIES.
B. THE COMMISSION MAY ALSO LEVY ON AND COLLECT AN ANNUAL ASSESSMENT
FROM EACH PARTY STATE TO COVER THE COST OF ITS OPERATIONS, ACTIVITIES
AND STAFF IN ITS ANNUAL BUDGET AS APPROVED EACH YEAR. THE AGGREGATE
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT AMOUNT, IF ANY, SHALL BE ALLOCATED BASED UPON A FORMU-
LA TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION, WHICH SHALL PROMULGATE A RULE
THAT IS BINDING UPON ALL PARTY STATES.
C. THE COMMISSION SHALL NOT INCUR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY KIND PRIOR TO
SECURING THE FUNDS ADEQUATE TO MEET THE SAME; NOR SHALL THE COMMISSION
PLEDGE THE CREDIT OF ANY OF THE PARTY STATES, EXCEPT BY, AND WITH THE
AUTHORITY OF, SUCH PARTY STATE.
D. THE COMMISSION SHALL KEEP ACCURATE ACCOUNTS OF ALL RECEIPTS AND
DISBURSEMENTS. THE RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO THE AUDIT AND ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED UNDER ITS
BYLAWS. HOWEVER, ALL RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS OF FUNDS HANDLED BY THE
COMMISSION SHALL BE AUDITED YEARLY BY A CERTIFIED OR LICENSED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANT, AND THE REPORT OF THE AUDIT SHALL BE INCLUDED IN AND BECOME
PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.
9. QUALIFIED IMMUNITY, DEFENSE AND INDEMNIFICATION. A. THE ADMINISTRA-
TORS, OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEES AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
COMMISSION SHALL BE IMMUNE FROM SUIT AND LIABILITY, EITHER PERSONALLY OR
IN THEIR OFFICIAL CAPACITY, FOR ANY CLAIM FOR DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF PROP-
ERTY OR PERSONAL INJURY OR OTHER CIVIL LIABILITY CAUSED BY OR ARISING
OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED ACT, ERROR OR OMISSION THAT OCCURRED, OR
THAT THE PERSON AGAINST WHOM THE CLAIM IS MADE HAD A REASONABLE BASIS
FOR BELIEVING OCCURRED, WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE COMMISSION'S EMPLOYMENT,
DUTIES OR RESPONSIBILITIES; PROVIDED THAT NOTHING IN THIS PARAGRAPH
SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PROTECT ANY SUCH PERSON FROM SUIT OR LIABILITY FOR
ANY DAMAGE, LOSS, INJURY OR LIABILITY CAUSED BY THE INTENTIONAL, WILLFUL
OR WANTON MISCONDUCT OF THAT PERSON.
B. THE COMMISSION SHALL DEFEND ANY ADMINISTRATOR, OFFICER, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE OR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMISSION IN ANY CIVIL
ACTION SEEKING TO IMPOSE LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED
ACT, ERROR OR OMISSION THAT OCCURRED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE COMMIS-
SION'S EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES OR RESPONSIBILITIES, OR THAT THE PERSON
AGAINST WHOM THE CLAIM IS MADE HAD A REASONABLE BASIS FOR BELIEVING
OCCURRED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE COMMISSION'S EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES OR
RESPONSIBILITIES; PROVIDED THAT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO
PROHIBIT THAT PERSON FROM RETAINING HIS OR HER OWN COUNSEL; AND PROVIDED
FURTHER THAT THE ACTUAL OR ALLEGED ACT, ERROR OR OMISSION DID NOT RESULT
FROM THAT PERSON'S INTENTIONAL, WILLFUL OR WANTON MISCONDUCT.
C. THE COMMISSION SHALL INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ANY ADMINISTRATOR,
OFFICER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE OR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMIS-
SION FOR THE AMOUNT OF ANY SETTLEMENT OR JUDGMENT OBTAINED AGAINST THAT
A. 6421 11
PERSON ARISING OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED ACT, ERROR OR OMISSION THAT
OCCURRED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE COMMISSION'S EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES OR
RESPONSIBILITIES, OR THAT SUCH PERSON HAD A REASONABLE BASIS FOR BELIEV-
ING OCCURRED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE COMMISSION'S EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES OR
RESPONSIBILITIES, PROVIDED THAT THE ACTUAL OR ALLEGED ACT, ERROR OR
OMISSION DID NOT RESULT FROM THE INTENTIONAL, WILLFUL OR WANTON MISCON-
DUCT OF THAT PERSON.
§ 8908. RULEMAKING. 1. RULEMAKING. A. THE COMMISSION SHALL EXERCISE
ITS RULEMAKING POWERS PURSUANT TO THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE
AND THE RULES ADOPTED THEREUNDER. RULES AND AMENDMENTS SHALL BECOME
BINDING AS OF THE DATE SPECIFIED IN EACH RULE OR AMENDMENT AND SHALL
HAVE THE SAME FORCE AND EFFECT AS PROVISIONS OF THIS COMPACT.
B. RULES OR AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES SHALL BE ADOPTED AT A REGULAR OR
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMISSION.
2. NOTICE. A. PRIOR TO PROMULGATION AND ADOPTION OF A FINAL RULE OR
RULES BY THE COMMISSION, AND AT LEAST SIXTY DAYS IN ADVANCE OF THE MEET-
ING AT WHICH THE RULE WILL BE CONSIDERED AND VOTED UPON, THE COMMISSION
SHALL FILE A NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING:
I. ON THE WEBSITE OF THE COMMISSION; AND
II. ON THE WEBSITE OF EACH LICENSING BOARD OR THE PUBLICATION IN WHICH
EACH STATE WOULD OTHERWISE PUBLISH PROPOSED RULES.
B. THE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING SHALL INCLUDE:
I. THE PROPOSED TIME, DATE AND LOCATION OF THE MEETING IN WHICH THE
RULE WILL BE CONSIDERED AND VOTED UPON;
II. THE TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE OR AMENDMENT, AND THE REASON FOR THE
PROPOSED RULE;
III. A REQUEST FOR COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED RULE FROM ANY INTERESTED
PERSON; AND
IV. THE MANNER IN WHICH INTERESTED PERSONS MAY SUBMIT NOTICE TO THE
COMMISSION OF THEIR INTENTION TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ANY WRIT-
TEN COMMENTS.
C. PRIOR TO ADOPTION OF A PROPOSED RULE, THE COMMISSION SHALL ALLOW
PERSONS TO SUBMIT WRITTEN DATA, FACTS, OPINIONS AND ARGUMENTS, WHICH
SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS ON RULES. A. THE COMMISSION SHALL GRANT AN OPPORTU-
NITY FOR A PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE IT ADOPTS A RULE OR AMENDMENT.
B. THE COMMISSION SHALL PUBLISH THE PLACE, TIME AND DATE OF THE SCHED-
ULED PUBLIC HEARING.
I. HEARINGS SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN A MANNER PROVIDING EACH PERSON WHO
WISHES TO COMMENT A FAIR AND REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ORALLY OR
IN WRITING. ALL HEARINGS WILL BE RECORDED, AND A COPY WILL BE MADE
AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
II. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS REQUIRING A SEPARATE
HEARING ON EACH RULE. RULES MAY BE GROUPED FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE
COMMISSION AT HEARINGS REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION.
C. IF NO ONE APPEARS AT THE PUBLIC HEARING, THE COMMISSION MAY PROCEED
WITH PROMULGATION OF THE PROPOSED RULE.
D. FOLLOWING THE SCHEDULED HEARING DATE, OR BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS
ON THE SCHEDULED HEARING DATE IF THE HEARING WAS NOT HELD, THE COMMIS-
SION SHALL CONSIDER ALL WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMENTS RECEIVED.
4. VOTING ON RULES. THE COMMISSION SHALL, BY MAJORITY VOTE OF ALL
ADMINISTRATORS, TAKE FINAL ACTION ON THE PROPOSED RULE AND SHALL DETER-
MINE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE RULE, IF ANY, BASED ON THE RULEMAKING
RECORD AND THE FULL TEXT OF THE RULE.
5. EMERGENCY RULES. UPON DETERMINATION THAT AN EMERGENCY EXISTS, THE
COMMISSION MAY CONSIDER AND ADOPT AN EMERGENCY RULE WITHOUT PRIOR
A. 6421 12
NOTICE, OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT OR HEARING, PROVIDED THAT THE USUAL
RULEMAKING PROCEDURES PROVIDED IN THIS COMPACT AND IN THIS SECTION SHALL
BE RETROACTIVELY APPLIED TO THE RULE AS SOON AS REASONABLY POSSIBLE, IN
NO EVENT LATER THAN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE RULE.
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PROVISION, AN EMERGENCY RULE IS ONE THAT MUST
BE ADOPTED IMMEDIATELY IN ORDER TO:
A. MEET AN IMMINENT THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE;
B. PREVENT A LOSS OF THE COMMISSION OR PARTY STATE FUNDS; OR
C. MEET A DEADLINE FOR THE PROMULGATION OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE RULE THAT
IS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW OR RULE.
6. REVISIONS. THE COMMISSION MAY DIRECT REVISIONS TO A PREVIOUSLY
ADOPTED RULE OR AMENDMENT FOR PURPOSES OF CORRECTING TYPOGRAPHICAL
ERRORS, ERRORS IN FORMAT, ERRORS IN CONSISTENCY OR GRAMMATICAL ERRORS.
PUBLIC NOTICE OF ANY REVISIONS SHALL BE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE OF THE
COMMISSION. THE REVISION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO CHALLENGE BY ANY PERSON FOR
A PERIOD OF THIRTY DAYS AFTER POSTING. THE REVISION MAY BE CHALLENGED
ONLY ON GROUNDS THAT THE REVISION RESULTS IN A MATERIAL CHANGE TO A
RULE. A CHALLENGE SHALL BE MADE IN WRITING, AND DELIVERED TO THE
COMMISSION, PRIOR TO THE END OF THE NOTICE PERIOD. IF NO CHALLENGE IS
MADE, THE REVISION WILL TAKE EFFECT WITHOUT FURTHER ACTION. IF THE
REVISION IS CHALLENGED, THE REVISION MAY NOT TAKE EFFECT WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSION.
§ 8909. OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND ENFORCEMENT. 1. OVERSIGHT.
A. EACH PARTY STATE SHALL ENFORCE THIS COMPACT AND TAKE ALL ACTIONS
NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE TO EFFECTUATE THIS COMPACT'S PURPOSES AND
INTENT.
B. THE COMMISSION SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN
ANY PROCEEDING THAT MAY AFFECT THE POWERS, RESPONSIBILITIES OR ACTIONS
OF THE COMMISSION, AND SHALL HAVE STANDING TO INTERVENE IN SUCH A
PROCEEDING FOR ALL PURPOSES. FAILURE TO PROVIDE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN
SUCH PROCEEDING TO THE COMMISSION SHALL RENDER A JUDGMENT OR ORDER VOID
AS TO THE COMMISSION, THIS COMPACT OR PROMULGATED RULES.
2. DEFAULT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TERMINATION. A. IF THE COMMISSION
DETERMINES THAT A PARTY STATE HAS DEFAULTED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS
OBLIGATIONS OR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THIS COMPACT OR THE PROMULGATED
RULES, THE COMMISSION SHALL:
I. PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE DEFAULTING STATE AND OTHER PARTY
STATES OF THE NATURE OF THE DEFAULT, THE PROPOSED MEANS OF CURING THE
DEFAULT OR ANY OTHER ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE COMMISSION; AND
II. PROVIDE REMEDIAL TRAINING AND SPECIFIC TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
REGARDING THE DEFAULT.
B. IF A STATE IN DEFAULT FAILS TO CURE THE DEFAULT, THE DEFAULTING
STATE'S MEMBERSHIP IN THIS COMPACT MAY BE TERMINATED UPON AN AFFIRMATIVE
VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE ADMINISTRATORS, AND ALL RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES AND
BENEFITS CONFERRED BY THIS COMPACT MAY BE TERMINATED ON THE EFFECTIVE
DATE OF TERMINATION. A CURE OF THE DEFAULT DOES NOT RELIEVE THE OFFEND-
ING STATE OF OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES INCURRED DURING THE PERIOD OF
DEFAULT.
C. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE IMPOSED ONLY
AFTER ALL OTHER MEANS OF SECURING COMPLIANCE HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED. NOTICE
OF INTENT TO SUSPEND OR TERMINATE SHALL BE GIVEN BY THE COMMISSION TO
THE GOVERNOR OF THE DEFAULTING STATE AND TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE
DEFAULTING STATE'S LICENSING BOARD AND EACH OF THE PARTY STATES.
D. A STATE WHOSE MEMBERSHIP IN THIS COMPACT HAS BEEN TERMINATED IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ASSESSMENTS, OBLIGATIONS AND LIABILITIES INCURRED
A. 6421 13
THROUGH THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF TERMINATION, INCLUDING OBLIGATIONS THAT
EXTEND BEYOND THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF TERMINATION.
E. THE COMMISSION SHALL NOT BEAR ANY COSTS RELATED TO A STATE THAT IS
FOUND TO BE IN DEFAULT OR WHOSE MEMBERSHIP IN THIS COMPACT HAS BEEN
TERMINATED UNLESS AGREED UPON IN WRITING BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND THE
DEFAULTING STATE.
F. THE DEFAULTING STATE MAY APPEAL THE ACTION OF THE COMMISSION BY
PETITIONING THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OR THE
FEDERAL DISTRICT IN WHICH THE COMMISSION HAS ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICES. THE
PREVAILING PARTY SHALL BE AWARDED ALL COSTS OF SUCH LITIGATION, INCLUD-
ING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES.
3. DISPUTE RESOLUTION. A. UPON REQUEST BY A PARTY STATE, THE COMMIS-
SION SHALL ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE DISPUTES RELATED TO THE COMPACT THAT ARISE
AMONG PARTY STATES AND BETWEEN PARTY AND NON-PARTY STATES.
B. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROMULGATE A RULE PROVIDING FOR BOTH MEDIATION
AND BINDING DISPUTE RESOLUTION FOR DISPUTES, AS APPROPRIATE.
C. IN THE EVENT THE COMMISSION CANNOT RESOLVE DISPUTES AMONG PARTY
STATES ARISING UNDER THIS COMPACT:
I. THE PARTY STATES MAY SUBMIT THE ISSUES IN DISPUTE TO AN ARBITRATION
PANEL, WHICH WILL BE COMPRISED OF INDIVIDUALS APPOINTED BY THE COMPACT
ADMINISTRATOR IN EACH OF THE AFFECTED PARTY STATES, AND AN INDIVIDUAL
MUTUALLY AGREED UPON BY THE COMPACT ADMINISTRATORS OF ALL THE PARTY
STATES INVOLVED IN THE DISPUTE.
II. THE DECISION OF A MAJORITY OF THE ARBITRATORS SHALL BE FINAL AND
BINDING.
4. ENFORCEMENT. A. THE COMMISSION, IN THE REASONABLE EXERCISE OF ITS
DISCRETION, SHALL ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS AND RULES OF THIS COMPACT.
B. BY MAJORITY VOTE, THE COMMISSION MAY INITIATE LEGAL ACTION IN THE
U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OR THE FEDERAL
DISTRICT IN WHICH THE COMMISSION HAS ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICES AGAINST A
PARTY STATE THAT IS IN DEFAULT TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS
OF THIS COMPACT AND ITS PROMULGATED RULES AND BYLAWS. THE RELIEF SOUGHT
MAY INCLUDE BOTH INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AND DAMAGES. IN THE EVENT JUDICIAL
ENFORCEMENT IS NECESSARY, THE PREVAILING PARTY SHALL BE AWARDED ALL
COSTS OF SUCH LITIGATION, INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES.
C. THE REMEDIES HEREIN SHALL NOT BE THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES OF THE
COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION MAY PURSUE ANY OTHER REMEDIES AVAILABLE UNDER
FEDERAL OR STATE LAW.
§ 8910. EFFECTIVE DATE, WITHDRAWAL AND AMENDMENT. 1. EFFECTIVE DATE.
A. THIS COMPACT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AND BINDING ON THE EARLIER OF
THE DATE OF LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENT OF THIS COMPACT INTO LAW BY NO LESS
THAN TWENTY-SIX STATES OR THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CHAPTER OF THE LAWS
THAT ENACTED THIS COMPACT. THEREAFTER, THE COMPACT SHALL BECOME EFFEC-
TIVE AND BINDING AS TO ANY OTHER COMPACTING STATE UPON ENACTMENT OF THE
COMPACT INTO LAW BY THAT STATE. ALL PARTY STATES TO THIS COMPACT, THAT
ALSO WERE PARTIES TO THE PRIOR NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT, SUPERSEDED BY
THIS COMPACT, (HEREIN REFERRED TO AS "PRIOR COMPACT"), SHALL BE DEEMED
TO HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM SAID PRIOR COMPACT WITHIN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS COMPACT.
B. EACH PARTY STATE TO THIS COMPACT SHALL CONTINUE TO RECOGNIZE A
NURSE'S MULTISTATE LICENSURE PRIVILEGE TO PRACTICE IN THAT PARTY STATE
ISSUED UNDER THE PRIOR COMPACT UNTIL SUCH PARTY STATE HAS WITHDRAWN FROM
THE PRIOR COMPACT.
2. WITHDRAWAL. A. ANY PARTY STATE MAY WITHDRAW FROM THIS COMPACT BY
ENACTING A STATUTE REPEALING THE SAME. A PARTY STATE'S WITHDRAWAL SHALL
A. 6421 14
NOT TAKE EFFECT UNTIL SIX MONTHS AFTER ENACTMENT OF THE REPEALING STAT-
UTE.
B. A PARTY STATE'S WITHDRAWAL OR TERMINATION SHALL NOT AFFECT THE
CONTINUING REQUIREMENT OF THE WITHDRAWING OR TERMINATED STATE'S LICENS-
ING BOARD TO REPORT ADVERSE ACTIONS AND SIGNIFICANT INVESTIGATIONS
OCCURRING PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF SUCH WITHDRAWAL OR TERMINATION.
C. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO INVALIDATE
OR PREVENT ANY NURSE LICENSURE AGREEMENT OR OTHER COOPERATIVE ARRANGE-
MENT BETWEEN A PARTY STATE AND A NON-PARTY STATE THAT IS MADE IN ACCORD-
ANCE WITH THE OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS COMPACT.
3. AMENDMENT. A. THIS COMPACT MAY BE AMENDED BY THE PARTY STATES. NO
AMENDMENT TO THIS COMPACT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AND BINDING UPON THE
PARTY STATES UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS ENACTED INTO THE LAWS OF ALL PARTY
STATES.
B. REPRESENTATIVES OF NON-PARTY STATES TO THIS COMPACT SHALL BE
INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION, ON A NONVOT-
ING BASIS, PRIOR TO THE ADOPTION OF THIS COMPACT BY ALL STATES.
§ 8911. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY. 1. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABIL-
ITY. THIS COMPACT SHALL BE LIBERALLY CONSTRUED SO AS TO EFFECTUATE THE
PURPOSES THEREOF. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS COMPACT SHALL BE SEVERABLE, AND
IF ANY PHRASE, CLAUSE, SENTENCE OR PROVISION OF THIS COMPACT IS DECLARED
TO BE CONTRARY TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ANY PARTY STATE OR OF THE UNITED
STATES, OR IF THE APPLICABILITY THEREOF TO ANY GOVERNMENT, AGENCY,
PERSON OR CIRCUMSTANCE IS HELD TO BE INVALID, THE VALIDITY OF THE
REMAINDER OF THIS COMPACT AND THE APPLICABILITY THEREOF TO ANY GOVERN-
MENT, AGENCY, PERSON OR CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED THEREBY. IF
THIS COMPACT SHALL BE HELD TO BE CONTRARY TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ANY
PARTY STATE, THIS COMPACT SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS TO
THE REMAINING PARTY STATES AND IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS TO THE PARTY
STATE AFFECTED AS TO ALL SEVERABLE MATTERS.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately. Effective immediately,
the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation neces-
sary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are
authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.