The employer is responsible for verifying whether the nurse's license is current and valid before and during the period of employment. Based upon Board regulations, "No licensee shall engage in nursing practice without being in possession of a current license that is active and not suspended, revoked or surrendered." [N.J.S.A. 45:1-21n, N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.1]
The Board's verification line provides current, updated information regarding any New Jersey licensee's status. A faxed copy of the report is available from this line upon request, just follow the prompts. The verification telephone number is (973) 273-8090. The Board also has an online directory that is updated around the first of each month. It can provide general information about licensure status and expiration dates.
If you are not able to verify an individual's licensure by calling the verification telephone number or if an individual cannot provide evidence of current licensure, contact the Board of Nursing's verification representative at (973) 504-6504 to verify the licensure status of that individual. Be prepared to provide all relevant information, including correct spelling of name.
The face on top of the license currently being issued by the Board of Nursing is tamper proof and contains the following statement: "THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MULTICOLORED BACKGROUND AND MULTIPLE SECURITY FEATURES".
A photocopied license in NOT acceptable evidence of current licensure. However, a license may be copied only for purposes of meeting the requirements of the employing organization's personnel policy or regulatory purposes. ( N.J.A.C. 13:45B-14.4(d)
WHEN INSPECTING EMPLOYEE LICENSES:
DO inspect the original license - NOT a copy.
DO check the original license to see that the New Jersey license is current and valid.
DO verify that the name on the license is the employee's legal name.
DO check that the New Jersey licensure status (R.N., L.P.N., C.H.H.H.A. or A.P.N.) corresponds with the nursing position in which the nurse is employed.
DO retain a secured record of the license inspection, including the license number, date checked and by whom, etc.
DO license verification annually of all nursing employees.
DO NOT ask for a photocopy of a license.
DO NOT accept a photocopy as a valid license.
DO NOT accept a license with a name different from the employee's legal name.
DO NOT accept a license from any other state, as valid evidence of the individual's right to practice nursing in New Jersey.
