HB2953

THE CONTEXT: The Arizona Constitution prohibits substantive law from being included in the general appropriations, capital outlay appropriations and supplemental appropriations bills. However, it is often necessary to make statutory and session law changes to effectuate the budget.

WHAT THE BILL DID: Makes statutory and session law changes relating to health care necessary to implement the FY 2026 state budget.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to make the licensing pathway more workable while retaining a defined state standard. It would require the AZBN to issue a provisional license or certificate to an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) within five business days after the AZBN receives a complete application and the fees required by the AZBN for an out-of-state nurse who is seeking licensure or certification if all the following apply: a) the person holds a current license or certificate to practice as an APRN, RN, or an LPN in at least one other U.S. state and the license or certificate is in good standing in all U.S. states in which the person holds the license or certificate; b) the person provides proof of a valid and unencumbered license or certificate in another U.S. state through an AZBN review of a National Nurse License Verification System or in another manner determined by the AZBN as sufficient proof that the person is in good standing with all licensing entities that have issued the person a license or certificate; c) the person has not had a license or certificate revoked or denied and has not voluntarily surrendered a license or certificate in any U.S. state; d) the person does not have a complaint or investigation pending before a licensing entity in any U.S. state; e) the person has submitted a full set of fingerprints to the AZBN for the purpose of obtaining a state and federal criminal records check statutorily required by state and public law; and f) the person is a resident of Arizona or attests in the application that the person is physically working or has accepted an offer to physically work in Arizona, and would also require an APRN, RN or an LPN who applies for a provisional license to include a sworn declaration attesting to the completeness and veracity of the information submitted in the application for provisional licensure or certification, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.