Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nurses
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217
(478) 207-2440 phone
(877) 371-5712 fax
www.sos.ga.gov/plb/lpn/

Update from the Director of the Professional Licensing Boards:
PLB is working diligently to become one of the most technologically advanced licensing agencies in the country.  Throughout this year we have continued to review our business processes and implement technology to increase our performance levels and customer service for our licensees and the general public.

This quarter we have continued to make improvements to the licensure process by implementing the first online applications.  We currently have online applications available for 23 license types with plans to add more throughout the remainder of the year.  There are many advantages to online applications, including ensured completion, decreased paper use, a higher degree of accuracy, and a faster application process. You can visit our website at www.sos.ga.gov/plb to see a complete list of online applications.

Finally, during the third quarter we made significant progress in the outsourcing of the PLB Examination section.  Outsourcing the exam function of PLB allows us to offer more testing locations for some license types, more testing opportunities and overall budget savings for the State of Georgia.  More information will be available in the coming weeks as all outsourcing contracts are finalized.

PLB is committed to continually seeking and implementing initiatives to enable us to provide you with the best service possible.  We look forward to the opportunity to assist you in the very near future.

Regards,
Randy Vaughn
Director of the Professional Licensing Boards

The Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nurses consists of seven members: four licensed practical nurses, one consumer member, and two registered professional nurses-one nurse serving in an administrative position in a hospital or nursing home, and one nurse engaging in practical nursing education.

Typically, the Board meets six times each year.  Board meetings are open to the public, except when in executive session, in which confidential matters such as complaints, disciplinary items and applications are discussed.

Minutes from the Board meetings can be found on the Board’s website: www.sos.ga.gov/plb/lpn.

2009 and 2010Meetings:

October 14-16, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
December 9-11, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
February 10-11, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.
April 14, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.- Public Meeting
April 15-16, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.

June 9-10, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.
August 18-19, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.
October 20-21, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.
December 8-9, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.

Board Members:

Jacqueline Barnes, LPN
Jane P. Harte, LPN, VP
Judy Hilliard, LPN
Vicky Mack, RN, MSN
Barbara Mitchell, RN, NHA, President
Mary Lynn Owensby, LPN
Le Ann Tuggle

Board Staff:

Sandy Bond
Executive Director
Georgia State Board of Licensed Practical Nurses

Number of Active Licensees:

Licensed Practical Nurse: 32,732
Qualified Medication Aide: 2

Actions Taken by the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nurses

August: The Board licensed 437 licensees including initial licensure, reinstatements, endorsements & equivalency.
            
The Board accepted the following Public Consent Orders:
• Vickie C. Housley, Gainesville: Two years probationary licensure.
• Jennifer Lynn Jones, Mount Airy: Five years probationary licensure.
• Lee Ann McCoy, Santee, SC: Three years probationary licensure.
• Jamie B. Marsh, Ellabell: Three months suspension followed by three years probation.

The Board accepted the following Public Reprimands:
• Obiageli Agogbua, Austell: Requires Nursing Education Course in Medication Administration and Documentation
• Dora D.E. Austin, Duluth: Requires nursing education course in Ethics, Medication Administration and Documentation.
• Zipporah Nahbi Bath Yisrael, Decatur: Requires nursing education course in Ethics.

The following licenses were suspended by the board:
• Theresa Bennett Scott, Cordele: Default of student loan.

Memo on Renewal Notices:

License Renewals:

Licenses expire as follows:
Licensed Practical Nurse – March 31 of odd numbered years

It is illegal to practice as a licensed practical nurse with an expired license.

How do I renew my license? 

You may renew your license on the Professional Licensing Board website with a credit card. Click on the “License Renewal” icon and follow the instructions. You will be asked a series of questions including whether you have been arrested, convicted or received a board sanction since your last renewal and whether you are a U.S. citizen. Renewing your license via the website is the fastest way to renew your license.

The Professional Licensing Boards do not mail paper renewals unless requested. A paper renewal form may be requested by the licensee by calling the Board office at 478-207-2440, or submitting a written request. Licensees may also call our automated system at 404-463-1100 and request a paper renewal form using their personal identification number included in their renewal notice.

Disciplinary Issues:

The Board addresses disciplinary issues on a case by case basis and takes these matters very seriously applying sanctions to those who violate the Georgia Licensed Practical Nurse Practice Act, Board rules, and policies. It is important that licensees familiarize themselves with all laws, rules and policies that affect their profession; these may be found on the Board’s website at www.sos.ga.gov/plb/lpn/.

All public disciplinary actions will be reflected in the Board minutes which may be found on our website. Public disciplinary actions may be found on our website at www.sos.ga.gov/plb/publicorders/ .

Grounds for denial, suspension, revocation of a license, or other disciplinary actions may be found at O.C.G.A. § 43-26-40 and at O.C.G.A. § 43-1-19. State laws and Board rules may be found on our website at www.sos.ga.gov/plb/lpn.

Georgia State Board of Licensed Practical Nurses Complaints Process Information:

Thes Georgia General Assembly created the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nurse to regulate the licensing and practice of nursing. The responsibility of administering the laws in O.C.G.A. § 43-26 is given to the Board, whose members are appointed by the Governor. The Board determines if applicants meet licensure requirements, promulgates rules, and considers complaints against licensees and allegations of unlicensed practice. The process for addressing complaints is as follows:

Complaint Form:

Complaints must be reported to and received by the Board in writing. Written complaints may be submitted to the Board office or be submitted on-line at http://sos.georgia.gov/myverification/submitcomplaint.aspx. Documents received in connection with a complaint will not be returned. The complaint must contain sufficient factual evidence to indicate a clear violation of Georgia law or Board rule.

Investigations:

The Board gives serious consideration to all complaints. Further investigative action may be taken. Should you file a complaint, you may be contacted by a Board inspector or investigator for additional information. Investigative files are considered confidential for any purpose other than a hearing before the Board. However, the Board is authorized to release such records to another enforcement agency or lawful licensing authority.

Notification Process:

While the investigation is ongoing, the Board is unable to discuss the status of a complaint with anyone, including the complainant. When the Board has completed the case, the complainant will be notified in writing of the Board’s actions. All public disciplinary actions will be reflected in the Board minutes which may be found on the Board’s website.

Frequently Asked Questions:

A list of frequently asked questions may be found on the Board’s website. If you cannot find an answer to your question, you may contact the Board office at (478) 207-2440.