(a) General Requirements. Advanced practice registered nursing education programs in the State of Texas shall be approved by the Board until the program is accredited or approved by a national advanced practice registered nursing education accrediting body recognized by the Board.      
        (1) An educational institution located in Texas may apply for Board approval for advanced practice registered nursing education programs that prepare either nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists. Only that portion of the program of study that qualifies registered nurses for licensure in an advanced practice registered nurse role and population focus recognized by the Board is eligible for approval. Board approval shall be limited to only those programs seeking initial approval that do not otherwise hold national accreditation or approval from a national nursing education accrediting body for master's or doctoral level nursing education.       
        (2) To be eligible to apply for Board approval, the new advanced practice registered nursing education program must be at or beyond the master's level of nursing education.       
      (b) The director and faculty are accountable for complying with the Nursing Practice Act and Board rules and regulations.     
      (c) Advanced practice registered nursing education programs shall provide reasonable and uniform standards based upon sound educational principles.     
      (d) Purpose. This rule has been developed for use by nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist programs seeking approval by the Board in order to:      
        (1) Promote safe and effective advanced practice registered nursing,       
        (2) Serve as a guide for development of new advanced practice registered nursing education programs that prepare nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, and       
        (3) Provide criteria for the evaluation of new advanced practice registered nursing education programs that prepare nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists.       
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §219.1 adopted to be effective September 13, 2001, 26 TexReg 6889; amended to be effective January 8, 2008, 33 TexReg 184; amended to be effective December 9, 2018, 43 TexReg 7894