90-171.82. (For repeal, see editor's note) Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Article:

(1) Adverse action. - A home or remote state action.

(2) Alternative program. - A voluntary, nondisciplinary monitoring program approved by a nurse licensing board.

(3) Compact. - This Article.

(4) Coordinated licensure information system. - An integrated process for collecting, storing, and sharing information on nurse licensure and enforcement activities related to nurse licensure laws that is administered by a nonprofit organization composed of and controlled by state nurse licensing boards.

(5) Current significant investigative information. -

a. Investigative information that indicates a licensee has committed more than a minor infraction.

b. Investigative information that indicates a licensee represents an immediate threat to public health and safety.

(6) Home state. - The party state that is the nurse's primary state of residence.

(7) Home state action. - Any administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action permitted by the home state's laws that is imposed on a nurse by the home state's licensing board or another authority. The term includes the revocation, suspension, or probation of a nurse's license or any other action that affects a nurse's authorization to practice.

(8) Licensee. - A person licensed by the North Carolina Board of Nursing or the nurse licensing board of a party state.

(9) Licensing board. - A party state's regulatory agency that is responsible for licensing nurses.

(10) Multistate licensure privilege. - Current official authority from a remote state permitting the practice of nursing as either a registered nurse or a licensed practical or vocational nurse in that state.

(11) Nurse. - A registered nurse or licensed practical or vocational nurse as those terms are defined by each party state's practice laws.

(12) Party state. - Any state that has adopted this Compact.

(13) Remote state. - A party state, other than the home state, where the patient is located at the time nursing care is provided. In the case of the practice of nursing not involving a patient, the term means the party state where the recipient of nursing practice is located.

(14) Remote state action. - Any administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action permitted by the laws of a remote state that are imposed on a nurse by the remote state's nurse licensing board or other authority, including actions against a nurse's multistate licensure privilege to practice in the remote state. The term also includes cease and desist and other injunctive or equitable orders issued by remote states or their nurse licensing boards.

(15) State. - A state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(16) State practice laws. - The laws and regulations of individual party states that govern the practice of nursing, define the scope of nursing practice, and create the methods and grounds for disciplining nurses. The term does not include the initial qualifications for licensure or the requirements necessary to obtain and retain a license, except for qualifications or requirements of the home state.