Sec. 12. (a) A person who applies to the board for a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse must:
(1) not have been convicted of:
(A) an act which would constitute a ground for disciplinary sanction under IC 25-1-9; or
(B) a crime that has a direct bearing on the person's ability to practice competently;
(2) have completed:
(A) the prescribed curriculum and met the graduation requirements of a state accredited program of practical nursing that only accepts students who have a high school diploma or its equivalent, as determined by the board; or
(B) the prescribed curriculum and graduation requirements of a nursing education program in a foreign country that is substantially equivalent to a board approved program as determined by the board. The board may by rule adopted under IC 4-22-2 require an applicant under this subsection to successfully complete an examination approved by the board to measure the applicant's qualifications and background in the practice of nursing and proficiency in the English language; and
(3) be physically and mentally capable of, and professionally competent to, safely engage in the practice of practical nursing as determined by the board.
(b) The applicant must pass an examination in such subjects as the board may determine.
(c) The board may issue by endorsement a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse to an applicant who has been licensed as a licensed practical nurse, by examination, under the laws of another state if the applicant presents proof satisfactory to the board that, at the time of application for an Indiana license by endorsement, the applicant possesses credentials and qualifications that are substantially equivalent to requirements in Indiana for licensure by examination. The board may specify by rule what shall constitute substantial equivalence under this subsection.
(d) Each applicant for examination and registration to practice as a practical nurse shall pay:
(1) a fee set by the board; and
(2) if the applicant is applying for a multistate license (as defined in IC 25-42-1-11) under IC 25-42 (Nurse Licensure Compact), a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) in addition to the fee under subdivision (1);
a part of which must be used for the rehabilitation of impaired registered nurses and impaired licensed practical nurses. Payment of the fees shall be made by the applicant before the date of examination. The lesser of the following amounts from fees collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the impaired nurses account of the state general fund established by section 34 of this chapter:
(1) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the license application fee per license applied for under this section.
(2) The cost per license to operate the impaired nurses program, as determined by the Indiana professional licensing agency.
(e) Any person who holds a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse in Indiana or under IC 25-42 may use the title "Licensed Practical Nurse" and the abbreviation "L.P.N.". No other person shall practice or advertise as or assume the title of licensed practical nurse or use the abbreviation of "L.P.N." or any other words, letters, signs, or figures to indicate that the person using them is a licensed practical nurse.
Formerly: Acts 1949, c.159, s.12; Acts 1951, c.34, s.1; Acts 1971, P.L.376, SEC.11. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.164; Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.59; P.L.169-1985, SEC.73; P.L.149-1987, SEC.61; P.L.152-1988, SEC.18; P.L.33-1993, SEC.31; P.L.181-2002, SEC.7; P.L.1-2007, SEC.174; P.L.134-2008, SEC.30; P.L.135-2019, SEC.3; P.L.156-2020, SEC.104.