Part III. Full Approval for a Nursing Education Program
18VAC90-27-150. Granting full program approval.
A. Full approval may be granted when:
1. A self-evaluation report of compliance with Part II (18VAC90-27-30 et seq.) of this chapter and a survey visit fee as specified in 18VAC90-27-20 have been submitted and received by the board;
2. The program has achieved a passage rate of not less than 80% for the program's first-time test takers taking the NCLEX based on at least 20 graduates within a two-year period; and
3. A satisfactory survey visit and report have been made by a representative of the board verifying that the program is in compliance with all requirements for program approval.
B. If full approval is granted, the program shall continue to comply with all requirements in Parts II (18VAC90-27-30 et seq.) and III (18VAC90-27-150 et seq.) of this chapter, and admission of transfer students is authorized.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. February 24, 2017.
18VAC90-27-160. Denying full program approval.
A. Denial of full program approval may occur for causes enumerated in 18VAC90-27-140.
B. If full program approval is denied, the board shall also be authorized to do one of the following:
1. The board may continue the program on initial program approval with terms and conditions to be met within the timeframe specified by the board; or
2. The board may withdraw initial program approval.
C. If the board takes one of the actions specified in subsection B of this section, the following shall apply:
1. No further action will be required of the board unless the program within 30 days of the mailing of the decision requests an informal conference pursuant to §§ 2.2-4019 and 54.1-109 the Code of Virginia.
2. If continued initial program approval with terms and conditions or withdrawal of initial approval is recommended following the informal conference, the recommendation shall be presented to the board or a panel thereof for review and action.
3. If the recommendation of the informal conference committee is accepted by the board or a panel thereof, the decision shall be reflected in a board order, and no further action by the board regarding the application is required. The program may request a formal hearing within 30 days from entry of the order in accordance with § 2.2-4020 and subdivision 11 of § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.
4. If the decision of the board or a panel thereof following a formal hearing is to deny full approval or withdraw or continue on initial approval with terms or conditions, the program shall be advised of the right to appeal the decision to the appropriate circuit court in accordance with § 2.2-4026 of the Code of Virginia and Part 2A of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
D. If a program is denied full approval and initial approval withdrawn, no additional students may be accepted into the program, effective upon the date of entry of the board's final order to deny or withdraw approval. Further, the program shall submit quarterly reports until the program is closed, and the program shall comply with board requirements regarding closure of a program as stated in 18VAC90-27-240.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. February 24, 2017.
18VAC90-27-170. Requests for exception to requirements for faculty.
After full approval has been granted, a program may request board approval for exceptions to requirements of 18VAC90-27-60 for faculty as follows:
1. Initial request for exception.
a. The program director shall submit a request for initial exception in writing to the board for consideration prior to the academic year during which the nursing faculty member is scheduled to teach or whenever an unexpected vacancy has occurred.
b. A description of teaching assignment, a curriculum vitae, and a statement of intent from the prospective faculty member to pursue the required degree shall accompany each request.
c. The executive director of the board shall be authorized to make the initial decision on requests for exceptions. Any appeal of that decision shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).
2. Request for continuing exception.
a. Continuing exception will be based on the progress of the nursing faculty member toward meeting the degree required by this chapter during each year for which the exception is requested.
b. The program director shall submit the request for continuing exception in writing prior to the next academic year during which the nursing faculty member is scheduled to teach.
c. A list of courses required for the degree being pursued and college transcripts showing successful completion of a minimum of two of the courses during the past academic year shall accompany each request.
d. Any request for continuing exception shall be considered by the informal factfinding committee, which shall make a recommendation to the board.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. February 24, 2017.
18VAC90-27-180. Records and provision of information.
A. Requirements for admission, readmission, advanced standing, progression, retention, dismissal, and graduation shall be readily available to the students in written form.
B. A system of records shall be maintained and be made available to the board representative and shall include:
1. Data relating to accreditation by any agency or body.
2. Course outlines.
3. Minutes of faculty and committee meetings, including documentation of the use of a systematic plan of evaluation for total program review and including those faculty members in attendance.
4. Record of and disposition of complaints.
C. A file shall be maintained for each student. Provision shall be made for the protection of student and graduate files against loss, destruction, and unauthorized use. Each file shall be available to the board representative and shall include the student's:
1. Application, including the date of its submission and the date of admission into the program;
2. High school transcript or copy of high school equivalence certificate, and if the student is a foreign graduate, a transcript translated into English;
3. Current record of achievement to include classroom grades, skills checklists, and clinical hours for each course; and
4. A final transcript retained in the permanent file of the institution to include dates of admission and completion of coursework, graduation date, name and address of graduate, the dates of each semester or term, course grades, and authorized signature.
D. Current information about the nursing education program shall be published and distributed to students and applicants for admission and shall be made available to the board. In addition to information specified in 18VAC90-27-80 C, the following information shall be included:
1. Annual passage rates on NCLEX for the past five years; and
2. Accreditation status.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. February 24, 2017.
18VAC90-27-190. Evaluation of resources; written agreements with cooperating agencies.
A. Periodic evaluations of resources, facilities, and services shall be conducted by the administration, faculty, students, and graduates of the nursing education program, including an employer evaluation for graduates of the nursing education program.
B. Current written agreements with cooperating agencies shall be maintained and reviewed annually and shall be in accordance with 18VAC90-27-80 E.
C. Upon request, a program shall provide a clinical agency summary on a form provided by the board.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. February 24, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 16, eff. May 8, 2025.
18VAC90-27-200. Program changes.
A. The following shall be reported to the board within 10 days of the change or receipt of a report from an accrediting body:
1. Change in the program director, governing body, or parent institution;
2. Adverse action taken by a licensing authority against the program director, governing body, or parent institution;
3. Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude against the program director, owner, or operator of the program;
4. Change in the physical location of the program;
5. Change in the availability of clinical sites;
6. Change in financial resources that could substantively affect the nursing education program;
7. Change in content of curriculum, faculty, or method of delivery that affects 25% or more of the total hours of didactic and clinical instruction;
8. Change in accreditation status; and
9. A final report with findings and recommendations from the accrediting body.
B. Other curriculum or faculty changes shall be reported to the board with the annual report required in 18VAC90-27-220 A.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. February 24, 2017.