OAR 851-031-0045
Limited License for Certain Students in Oregon Educational Programs

(1)

RNs from other countries who enroll for graduate study in Oregon.

(a)

Required licensure:

(A)

When the nature of the graduate program includes no clinical component or a clinical component which requires no direct patient care, the international nurse is required to hold either a limited or full Oregon RN license.

(B)

When the nature of the graduate program includes a clinical component with direct patient care experience (e.g. nurse practitioner programs) an Oregon RN license is required prior to clinical experience.

(b)

Limited License Requirements:

(A)

Completed application using forms and instructions provided by the Board and payment of appropriate fees established by the Board.

(B)

Graduation from an educational program that is equivalent to nursing education in the United States documented by a Board approved credentials evaluation service.

(C)

Demonstration of English language proficiency by one of the following methods:
(i)
Pass an English language proficiency test that meets the standards as defined in OAR 851-031-0006 (General Eligibility, Limits on Eligibility, and Requirements)(3)(e)(D)(ii) (iii) or (iv); or
(ii)
Documentation of holding a Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) Certificate; or
(iii)
Graduation from a school of nursing outside of the United States in which all classroom instruction was in English; and all nursing textbooks were in English; and the preponderance of clinical experience was in English; or
(iv)
Documentation of practice as a registered nurse, in English, in another state in the United States, for at least 960 hours, in the two years preceding application for licensure.

(D)

A passing score on the licensing examination.

(c)

Limited licenses issued under this section shall be valid for a period of two years from the date of issuance. After that period, the limited license may be extended annually for a one year period upon application by licensee, payment of the appropriate fee, and demonstration of continued enrollment in the graduate program.

(d)

The limited license issued under this section is to be used only for study in the graduate program.

(2)

RNs from other countries who seek short term educational experience in Oregon:

(a)

Required licensure:

(A)

When the nature of the short-term educational experience includes the practice of nursing, the international nurse is required to hold a limited RN license.

(B)

When the nature of the short-term educational experience is observation only, the international nurse does not require an Oregon license. “Observation only” means that the individual is not responsible for nor a participant in any aspect of nursing practice.

(b)

Limited license requirements:

(A)

Completed application using forms and instructions provided by the Board and payment of appropriate fees.

(B)

Demonstration of English language proficiency by one of the following methods:
(i)
Pass an English language proficiency test that meets the standards as defined in OAR 851-031-0006 (General Eligibility, Limits on Eligibility, and Requirements)(3)(e)(D)(ii) (iii) or (iv); or
(ii)
Documentation of holding a Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) Certificate; or
(iii)
Graduation from a school of nursing outside of the United States in which all classroom instruction was in English; and all nursing textbooks were in English; and the preponderance of clinical experience was in English; or
(iv)
Documentation of practice as a registered nurse, in English, in another state in the United States, for at least 960 hours, in the two years preceding application for licensure.

(C)

Graduation from an educational program that is equivalent to nursing education in the United States documented by a Board approved credentials evaluation service.

(D)

A passing score on the licensing examination.

(E)

A contract with an organization or agency in Oregon for a planned learning experience including at least the planned learning outcomes, dates for the experience, and how the outcomes will be achieved.

(c)

Limited licenses issued under this section shall be valid for practice only within the contracted learning experience, and shall be issued to the last date of the learning contract up to a maximum of six months.

(3)

Students from other countries in established exchange programs with Oregon schools:

(a)

When a nursing student from another country engages in clinical experience as part of an established exchange program, a limited license is required.

(b)

Limited license requirements:

(A)

Completed application using forms and instructions provided by the Board and payment of appropriate fees established by the Board;

(B)

Enrollment in a pre-licensure nursing program in another country;

(C)

Acceptance by an approved Oregon nursing program for exchange experience; and

(D)

Demonstration of English language proficiency by one of the following methods:
(i)
Pass an English language proficiency test that meets the standards as defined in OAR 851-031-0006 (General Eligibility, Limits on Eligibility, and Requirements)(3)(e)(D)(ii) (iii) or (iv); or
(ii)
Documentation of holding a Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) Certificate; or
(iii)
Graduation from a school of nursing outside of the United States in which all classroom instruction was in English; and all nursing textbooks were in English; and the preponderance of clinical experience was in English; or
(iv)
Documentation of practice as a registered nurse, in English, in another state in the United States, for at least 960 hours, in the two years preceding application for licensure.

(c)

Limited licenses issued under this section shall be valid only for student experience within the exchange program, and shall be valid for the term of the exchange agreement up to a maximum of one year.

(4)

RNs from other countries enrolled in Oregon-approved re-entry program for internationally-educated nurses

(a)

Required licensure:

(A)

When the nature of the educational experience includes the practice of nursing, the international nurse is required to hold an Oregon issued limited license.

(B)

When the nature of the educational experience is classroom-based, skills/simulation laboratory-based, or observational only, the international nurse does not require an Oregon issued license.

(b)

Limited license requirements:

(A)

Completed application using forms and instructions provided by the Board and payment of applicable fees.

(B)

Demonstration of English language proficiency as stated in OAR 851-031-0006 (General Eligibility, Limits on Eligibility, and Requirements)(3)(e).

(C)

Graduation from an educational program that is equivalent to nursing education in the United States documented by a Board approved credentials evaluation service.

(D)

Evidence of current enrollment in a Board approved re-entry program for internationally-educated nurses.

(c)

Limited licenses issued under this section shall be valid for practice only within the planned curriculum. The limited license expires on successful completion of the re-entry program, on withdrawal from the re-entry program, or in one year, whichever comes first. At the discretion of the Board, an extension of the limited license may be granted upon written request from the limited license holder or re-entry program director and submission of a fee.

Source: Rule 851-031-0045 — Limited License for Certain Students in Oregon Educational Programs, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=851-031-0045.

Last Updated

Jun. 8, 2021

Rule 851-031-0045’s source at or​.us