(a) All applicants for initial licensure by examination shall:
  (1) file a complete application containing data required by the board attesting that all information contained in, or referenced by, the application is complete and accurate and is not false or misleading, and the required application processing fee which is not refundable;
  (2) submit verification of completion of all requirements for graduation from an approved nursing education program, or certification from the nursing program director of completion of certificate/degree requirements. Prerequisites of an accredited master's degree program leading to a first degree in professional nursing must be approved by the board;
  (3) pass the NCLEX-PN (LVN applicant) or NCLEX-RN (RN applicant);
  (4) graduate from an approved Texas nursing education program or a program with substantially equivalent education standards to a Texas approved nursing program as defined below.
    (A) A professional nursing education program operated in another state may be determined to have substantially equivalent education standards to a Texas approved nursing program if:
      (i) the program is approved by a state board of nursing or other governmental entity to offer a pre-licensure professional nursing program of study that awards a nursing diploma or degree upon completion;
      (ii) the program includes general education courses providing a sound foundation for nursing education for the level of preparation;
      (iii) the program's nursing courses include didactic content and supervised clinical learning experiences in medical-surgical, maternal/child health, pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health nursing that teach students to use a systematic approach to clinical decision-making and safe patient care across the life span; and
      (iv) for baccalaureate degree nursing programs, nursing courses must also include didactic content and supervised clinical learning experiences, as appropriate, in community, research, and leadership.
    (B) A vocational nursing education program operated in another state may be determined to have substantially equivalent education standards to a Texas approved nursing program if:
      (i) the program is approved by a state board of nursing or other governmental entity to offer a pre-licensure vocational/practical nursing program of study that awards a vocational/practical nursing certificate, diploma, or degree upon completion;
      (ii) the program's nursing courses include didactic and supervised clinical learning experiences in medical-surgical, maternal/child health, pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health nursing that teach students to use a systematic approach to clinical decision-making and safe patient care across the life span; and
      (iii) the program includes support courses providing a sound foundation for nursing education for the level of preparation.
    (C) A clinical competency assessment program shall be deemed substantially equivalent to a Texas approved nursing program while compliant with Tex. Occ. Code §301.157(d-8) and (d-9). A clinical competency assessment program will be deemed to not be substantially equivalent to a Texas approved nursing program if the program fails to meet applicable requirements of Tex. Occ. Code §301.157(d-11) and (d-12).
    (D) If an applicant does not have substantially equivalent education under paragraph (A) or (B), the applicant may become eligible for licensure if the applicant enrolls in an approved Texas program and completes the necessary educational requirements.
    (E) If an applicant for licensure as a registered nurse has completed a clinical competency assessment program which is deemed not to be substantially equivalent to Board standards for Texas programs under paragraph (C), the Board may issue a provisional license to the applicant once the applicant has passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN® Examination). The applicant will be eligible for full licensure if the applicant completes the requirements of clause (i) or (ii) below:
      (i) The applicant completes 500 hours of clinical practice under the direct supervision of an approved preceptor. The applicant, prior to beginning practice, must submit the name and license number of a potential preceptor for Board approval. After completion of 500 hours of clinical practice under direct supervision of the approved preceptor and the preceptor's signature that the applicant is competent and safe to practice nursing, the applicant may be eligible for full licensure.
      (ii) The applicant completes an educational program at an approved Texas program which is designed to assess and improve clinical skills for applicants who have not completed supervised clinical experiences in their prior educational program. The applicant must seek and receive the Board's approval prior to entering into the program to ensure that the program will allow the applicant may be eligible for full licensure. The applicant must provide the Board evidence of completion of the approved program;
  (5) submit fingerprints for a complete criminal background check; and
  (6) pass the jurisprudence exam approved by the board, effective September 1, 2008.
(b) Should it be ascertained from the application filed, or from other sources, that the applicant should have had an eligibility issue determined by way of a petition for declaratory order pursuant to the Occupations Code §301.257, then the application will be treated and processed as a petition for declaratory order under §213.30 of this title (relating to Declaratory Order of Eligibility for Licensure), and the applicant will be treated as a petitioner under that section and will be required to pay the non-refundable fee required by that section.
(c) An applicant for initial licensure by examination shall pass the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN within four years of completion of requirements for graduation.
(d) An applicant who has not passed the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN within four years from the date of completion of requirements for graduation must complete a board approved nursing education program in order to take or retake the examination.
(e) Upon initial licensure by examination, the license is issued for a period ranging from six months to 29 months depending on the birth month. Licensees born in even-numbered years shall renew their license in even-numbered years; licensees born in odd-numbered years shall renew their licenses in odd-numbered years.

Source Note: The provisions of this §217.2 adopted to be effective September 1, 1999, 24 TexReg 4001; amended to be effective July 14, 2003, 28 TexReg 5532; amended to be effective September 28, 2004, 29 TexReg 9189; amended to be effective April 16, 2006, 31 TexReg 3031; amended to be effective September 26, 2007, 32 TexReg 6519; amended to be effective May 14, 2009, 34 TexReg 2767; amended to be effective July 12, 2010, 35 TexReg 6083; amended to be effective February 28, 2018, 43 TexReg 1096; amended to be effective May 8, 2018, 43 TexReg 2779; amended to be effective May24,2020, 45 TexReg 3295; amended to be effective October 13, 2022, 47 TexReg 6581