(a) Adopt and from time to time revise such rules and regulations consistent with the law as shall be necessary to govern its proceedings and carry into effect the provisions of this article; however, the board shall not adopt any rule or regulation or impose any requirement regarding the licensing or certification of advanced practice registered nurses that conflicts with the prohibitions in Section 73-49-3.

(b) Require the secretary to keep records of all meetings of the board and keep a record of all proceedings, and to prepare a register of registered nurses and a register of licensed practical nurses, all nurses appearing thereon to be duly licensed under this article, and which registers shall be open for public inspection at all reasonable times.

(c) Issue subpoenas, require attendance of witnesses, and administer oaths of persons giving testimony.

(d) Cause the prosecution of all persons violating the provisions of this article, and incur such necessary expenses therefor.

(e) Conduct hearings upon charges calling for discipline of a licensee or revocation of a license or of the privilege to practice.

(f) Present a true and full report to the Governor and the Legislature, together with a statement of receipts and disbursements on or before February 1 of each year.

(g) Maintain an office in the greater Jackson area for the administration of this article.

(h) File an annual list of all certificates of registration issued by the board with the Secretary of State’s office for both registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.

(i) File an annual list of all certificates of registration issued by the board to registered nurses, including addresses of the persons with the Mississippi Nurses’ Association; and file a similar list of all certificates of registration issued to licensed practical nurses, including addresses of the persons, with the Mississippi Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses and the Mississippi Licensed Practical Nurses Association.

(j) Adopt a seal which shall be in the form of a circle with the image of an eagle in the center, and around the margin the words “Mississippi Board of Nursing,” and under the image of the eagle the word “Official.” The seal shall be affixed to certificates and warrants issued by the board, and to all records sent up on appeal from its decisions.

(k) Schedule dates and locations for state board examinations for examining qualified applicants for licensure.

(l) Examine, license and renew licenses of duly qualified applicants.

(m) Appoint and employ a qualified person who shall not be a member of the board to serve as executive director, define the duties, fix the compensation, and delegate to him or her those activities that will expedite the functions of the board. The executive director shall meet all the qualifications for board members, and shall in addition:

(i) Have had at least a master’s degree in nursing, eight (8) years’ experience as a registered nurse, five (5) of which shall be in teaching or in administration, or a combination thereof; and

(ii) Have been actively engaged in nursing for at least five (5) years immediately preceding appointment.

(n) Employ, discharge, define duties, and fix compensation of such other persons as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.

(o) Secure the services of research consultants as deemed necessary who shall receive a per diem, travel and other necessary expenses incurred while engaged by the board.

(p) Enter into contracts with any other state or federal agency or with any private person, organization or group capable of contracting, if it finds such action to be in the public interest and in the furtherance of its responsibilities.

(q) Upon reasonable suspicion that a holder of a license issued under this article has violated any statutory ground for denial of licensure as set forth in Section 73-15-29 or is guilty of any offense specified in Section 73-15-33, require the license holder to undergo a fingerprint-based criminal history records check of the Mississippi central criminal database and the Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history database, in the same manner as required for applicants for licensure under Sections 73-15-19(1) and 73-15-21(1).

(r) Perform the duties prescribed by the Nurse Licensure Compact in Section 73-15-201.