Ohio § 4723.26

§ 4723.26.

(A)(1) As used in this section: (a) “Free clinic” has the same meaning as in section 3701.071 of the Revised Code . (b) “Indigent and uninsured person” and “operation” have the same meanings as in section 2305.234 of the Revised Code . (2) For the purposes of this section, a person shall be considered retired from practice

if the person's license has expired with the intention of ceasing to practice nursing

as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse

for remuneration. (B) The board of nursing may issue, without examination, a volunteer's certificate to

a qualified person who is retired from practice so that the person may provide nursing

services to indigent and uninsured persons at any location, including a free clinic. (C) Except as provided in division (D) of this section, an application for a volunteer's

certificate shall include all of the following: (1) A copy or other evidence of the applicant's degree from a school of registered nursing,

practical nursing, or advanced practice registered nursing; (2) One of the following, as applicable: (a) A copy or other evidence of the applicant's most recent license to practice nursing

as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse

issued by a jurisdiction in the United States that licenses persons to practice nursing

as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse; (b) A copy or other evidence of the applicant's most recent license equivalent to a license

to practice nursing as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced practice

registered nurse in one or more branches of the United States armed services that

the United States government issued. (3) Evidence of one of the following, as applicable: (a) The applicant has maintained for at least ten years prior to retirement a valid,

unrestricted license in any jurisdiction in the United States that licenses persons

to practice nursing as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced practice

registered nurse. (b) The applicant has practiced nursing as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse,

or advanced practice registered nurse under a valid, unrestricted license for at least

ten years prior to retirement in one or more branches of the United States armed services. (D) For an applicant retired from practice for at least ten years, the applicant shall

do both of the following: (1) Certify to the board completion of continuing nursing education that meets the requirements

of section 4723.24 of the Revised Code and the rules adopted under that section; (2) Submit a request to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation for a

criminal records check and check of federal bureau of investigation records pursuant

to section 4723.091 of the Revised Code . (E) Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code does not apply to a certificate issued under this

section. (F) The holder of a volunteer's certificate may provide nursing services only to indigent

and uninsured persons, but may do so at any location, including a free clinic.  The holder shall not accept any form of remuneration for providing nursing services

while in possession of the certificate.  The board may suspend or revoke a volunteer's certificate on receiving proof satisfactory

to the board that the holder has engaged in practice in this state outside the scope

of the holder's certificate or that there are grounds for action against the person

under section 4723.28 of the Revised Code .  In revoking a certificate, the board may specify that the revocation is permanent. (G)(1) A volunteer's certificate shall be valid for a period of two years, and may be renewed

upon the application of the holder, unless the certificate is suspended or revoked

under division (F) of this section.  The board shall maintain a record of all persons who hold volunteer's certificates.  The board shall not charge a fee for issuing or renewing a certificate pursuant

to this section. (2) To be eligible for renewal of a volunteer's certificate, the holder of the certificate

shall certify to the board completion of continuing nursing education that meets the

requirements of section 4723.24 of the Revised Code and the rules adopted under that section.  The board may not renew a certificate if the holder has not complied with the appropriate

continuing education requirements.  Any entity for which the holder provides nursing services may pay for or reimburse

the holder for any costs incurred in obtaining the required continuing education hours. (3) The holder of a volunteer's certificate issued pursuant to this section is subject

to the immunity provisions regarding the provision of services to indigent and uninsured

persons in section 2305.234 of the Revised Code . (H) The board shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to

administer and enforce this section.