Section R4-19-501. Roles and Population Foci of Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN); Certification Programs

A.      The Board recognizes the following APRN roles;

1.        Registered nurse practitioner (RNP) in a population focus including Certified Nurse Midwife as a population focus of RNP;

2.        Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in a population focus; and

3.        Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

B.       RNPs and CNSs shall practice within one or more population foci, consistent with their education and certification. Popula- tion foci include:

1.        Family-individual across the life span;

2.        Adult-gerontology primary or acute care;

3.        Neonatal;

4.        Pediatric primary or acute care;

5.        Women’s health-gender related;

6.        Psychiatric-mental health;

7.        For Certified Nurse Midwives, women’s health gender related including childbirth and neonatal care;

8.        Other foci that have been recognized by the Board previ- ously and new foci that meet the following conditions:

a.         There is an accredited educational program and a national certifying process that meets the require- ments of subsection (C); and

b.        The focus is broad enough for an educational pro- gram to be developed that prepares a registered nurse to function both within the scope of practice of the role and population focus.

C.      The Board shall accept advanced practice certifications from programs that meet the following qualifications:

1.        The certification program:

a.         Is accredited by the National Commission for Certi- fying Agencies, the Accreditation Board for Spe- cialty Nursing Certification, or an equivalent organization as determined by the Board;

b.        Establishes educational requirements for certifica- tion that are consistent with the requirements in R4- 19-505;

c.         Has an application process and credential review that requires an applicant to submit original source documentation of the applicant's education and clin- ical practice in the advanced practice role and popu- lation focus, if applicable, for which certification is granted; and

d.        Is national in the scope of its credentialing.

2.        The certification program uses an examination as a basis for certification in the advanced practice role and popula- tion focus, as applicable that meets all of the following criteria:

a.         The examination is based upon job analysis studies conducted using standard methodologies acceptable to the testing community both initially and every five years;

b.        The examination assesses entry-level practice in the advanced practice role and population focus, if applicable;

c.         The examination assesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for the delivery of safe and effec- tive advanced nursing care to clients;

d.        Examination items are reviewed for content validity, cultural sensitivity, and correct scoring using an established mechanism, both before first use and periodically; items are reviewed for currency at least every three years;

e.         The examination is evaluated for psychometric per- formance and conforms to psychometric standards that are routinely utilized for other types of high- stakes testing;

f.         The passing standard is established using accepted psychometric methods and is re-evaluated periodi- cally;

g.        Examination security is maintained through estab- lished procedures;

h.        A re-take policy is in place; and

i.         Conditions for taking the certification examination are consistent with standards of the testing commu- nity;

3.        Certification is issued upon passing the examination and meeting all other certification requirements;

4.        The certification program periodically provides for re- certification that includes review of qualifications and continued competence;

5.        The certification program provides timely communica- tion to the Board regarding licensee or applicant certifica- tion status, changes in an individual’s certification status, exam results and changes in the certification program, including qualifications, test plan, and scope of practice; and

6.        The certification program has an evaluation process to provide quality assurance in its certificate program.

D.      The Board shall determine whether a certification program meets the requirements of this Section. The following certifi- cation programs meet the requirements of this Section as of the effective date of this rulemaking:

1.        For RNP:

a.         American Academy of Nurse Practitioner certifica- tion programs;

i.         Adult nurse practitioner,

ii.        Family nurse practitioner,

iii.      Gerontologic nurse practitioner,

iv.       Adult health-gerontological nurse practitioner.

b.        American Nurses Credentialing Center certification programs:

iii.      Gerontological CNS,

iv.       Adult health CNS,

v.        Pediatric CNS.

3.     For CRNA, National Board of Certification and Recerti- fication for Nurse Anesthetists.

E.       The Board shall approve a certification program that meets the criteria established in this Section. An entity that seeks approval of a certification program and is denied approval may request a hearing by filing a written request with the Board within 30 days of service of the Board's order denying the approval. Hearings  shall be conducted in accordance with

A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 6, Article 10.

Historical Note

Former Section IV, Part I. Former Section R4-19-53 renumbered as Section R4-19-501 (Supp. 86-1). Former Section R4-19-501 renumbered to R4-19-502, new Sec- tion R4-19-501 adopted effective November 18, 1994 (Supp. 94-4). Amended effective November 25, 1996 (Supp. 96-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3213, effective July 12, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 11 A.A.R. 3804, effective November 12, 2005 (05-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 19

A.A.R. 1438, effective July 6, 2013 (Supp. 13-2).