1. A participant who receives from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education a stipend governed by the provisions of NRS 397.065 or 397.0653 must repay all state contributions for the stipend unless the participant practices, in Nevada, the profession in which the participant was certified:

(a) For 3 years, if the participant entered the program before July 1, 1985;

(b) For 1 year for each year the participant receives a stipend, if the participant enters the program after June 30, 1985; or

(c) For 1 year for each 9 months the participant receives a stipend, if the participant enters the program after June 30, 1985, and is enrolled in an accelerated program that provides more than 1 academic year of graduate and professional education in 9 months,

within 5 years after the completion or termination of the participant’s education, internship or residency for which the participant receives the stipend.

2. The three Nevada State Commissioners, acting jointly, may adopt regulations which:

(a) Reduce the period of required practice for a participant who practices his or her profession in a rural area, a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area or an area with a medically underserved population of this state as described in NRS 397.0617, or as an employee of this state in accordance with NRS 397.0685.

(b) Extend the time for completing the required practice beyond 5 years for a participant who is granted an extension because of hardship.

3. If the period for the required practice is only partially completed, the three Nevada State Commissioners, acting jointly, may give credit towards repayment of the stipend for the time the participant practiced his or her profession as required.

(Added to NRS by 1995, 356; A 2003, 941; 2015, 1510)