DECLARED EMERGENCY: The state declared emergency ended June 18, 2021, however for the duration of the federal declaration of emergency, the Board will continue to recognize ORC Section 4723.32(G)(7) as in effect for purposes of authorizing nurses who hold an active, valid license in another state to practice in Ohio without an Ohio nursing license. The Board further considers this statute to be applicable only to nurses who do not hold licensure in Ohio, whether that nursing license be active or inactive. See https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/02/24/a-letter-on-the-continuation-of-the-national-emergency-concerning-the-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-pandemic/

BCI REPORTS CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK DELAYS: BCI has informed applicants and the Board that there are delays in BCI processing criminal records checks (CRCs) due to changes in their IT system. BCI and their vendor are working to resolve the issues, but at this time they cannot provide a date when their system will be operating at normal capacity. Please note that BCI sends the Board an electronic CRC result that only indicates whether the applicant has any criminal offenses or not. If there is any offense(s), BCI then sends the Board a CRC report, and the report usually takes more time to be received. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently spoke with Attorney General Dave Yost who agreed that, moving forward, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation would prioritize required background checks for school bus drivers, educators, nurses, and other health care professionals.