Sec. 301.258.  TEMPORARY PERMIT.  (a)  Pending the results of a licensing examination, the board may issue to an applicant who is a graduate of an approved educational program a permit to practice professional nursing under the direct supervision of a registered nurse or to practice vocational nursing under the direct supervision of a registered nurse or vocational nurse.
(b)  The board may not issue a permit under this section to an applicant who has previously failed an examination administered by the board or another state.
(c)  A permit issued under Subsection (a) expires on the date of receipt of:
(1)  a permanent license;  or
(2)  a notice from the board that the permit holder has failed the examination.
(d)  The board may issue a temporary permit to practice professional nursing or vocational nursing for the limited purpose of allowing a nurse to satisfy a requirement imposed by the board necessary for:
(1)  renewal of an expired license;
(2)  reactivation of an inactive license;  or
(3)  reissuance of a suspended, revoked, or surrendered license.
(e)  A permit issued under Subsection (d) expires on the earlier of:
(1)  the date of receipt of a permanent license;  or
(2)  six months after the date the permit is issued.
(f)  A person who holds a temporary permit issued under this section is considered to be a licensed registered nurse or vocational nurse for all purposes except to the extent of any stipulation or limitation on practice imposed by the board as a condition of issuing the permit.
Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 553, Sec. 1.019, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.