Territorial Nurses Are Advised of 2020-2021 License Renewal Process

Virgin Islands Board of Nurse Licensure (VIBNL) Chairperson Ann Douté has announced that the packets for the biannual nurse licensure renewal for the 2020-2021 registration period for active or inactive status must be completed and returned to the board no later than Oct. 31 in order to ensure receipt of 2020-2021 license by Jan. 1, 2020.

It is a violation of the Virgin Islands Code to work with a lapsed Registration Certificate (license). Certificates received after Oct. 31 may not be able to be processed by Jan. 1, 2020. Active licensure applications postmarked after Dec. 31 will be considered lapsed and will require a penalty fee of $200 in addition to the regular renewal fee. Inactive registration certificate (license) applications postmarked after Dec. 31, 2019, will be assessed an additional $30 in addition to the regular $15 inactive fee.

Renewal applications are available from the Virgin Islands Board of Nurse Licensure, which is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, at the Human Resources departments at Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center, the Schneider Regional Medical Center, the V.I. Department of Health and the V.I. Department of Education.

Regulations require self-disclosure for all misdemeanors, felonies, plea agreements (even if adjudication was withheld) and any substance use disorder within the last five years. Additionally, any disciplinary actions taken or pending against a professional or occupational license(s), registration(s), or certification (s) must be disclosed. Failure to disclose these instances may result in a disciplinary action by the board.

Lapsed and inactive applications from persons residing outside of the territory must provide a copy of an unencumbered nursing license that is valid for at least 90 days from the date on the renewal application and an official verification, obtainable through www.nursys.com. Fees applicant.

Renewal fees for active and inactive status are as follows: Registered Nurse, $125; Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, $150; Inactive Status, $15. Payment for renewal must be either by U.S. Postal Service money order or certified bank check. Personal checks or international payment instruments will not be accepted. Applications must be signed and dated when received by the board or they will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.

The required continuing education form must include name of educational offering, complete name of organization/instructor conducting the course, provider number, location, date(s) of completion, and the number of contact hours earned. It must be signed and dated. Certificates of completion should not be included.

Both Registered Nurses (RNs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are required to complete 1.5 hours on the prevention of medical errors. RNs must have 15 hours of continuing education related to nursing practice. APRNs must have 30 hours of continuing education within the specialty area of nursing practice and must also submit proof of current national certification within that specialty.

New graduate nurses who received their initial license during the prior biennium are not required to complete the continuing education requirements for their first renewal. Nursing or health-related college credits completed within the previous biennium may be utilized using the following equation: number of course credits x (times) the length of course (in weeks). Example: 3 credits x 15 weeks = 45 CEUs.

Renewal applications must contain either Employment Verification or validation of Professional Activities. Active nurses are required to demonstrate 320 hours of nursing practice in the previous biennium; they must be validated by an original signature of a supervisor or designee. In addition to testimony of active practice, APRNs are required to submit an updated Collaborative Agreement.

Those nurses using the Professional Activities option must participate in and document on the Professional Activity Form, 15 hours of approved professional activities that are certified by supervisor, client or manager of the activity or organization.

Nurses who have not been engaged in ACTIVE nursing practice during the last five years and who want to return to active nursing practice must complete a 160-hour refresher course that includes both theory and clinical hours and that has been pre-approved by the Virgin Islands Board of Nurse Licensure. Nurses seeking to re-activate a license that has been inactive for more than 10 years, rendering it suspended, must complete all requirements for active licensure and submit supporting documentation.

Written documentation of address/telephone number changes must be submitted to the VIBNL immediately. Name changes (e.g., marriage, divorce) must be accompanied by official, supporting documentation (marriage license, divorce decree) which may be submitted via USPS mail or e-mail. Please contact the board by phone for an appropriate email address.

The temporary phone number of the V.I. Board of Nurse Licensure is 774-7477, ext. 5673, 5681 or 5697. When mailing overnight parcels to the VIBNL, use the following address: Schneider Regional Medical Center, 9048 Sugar Estate, 5th Floor Room 5086, St. Thomas, VI 00802.