Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Jan. 31 signed an executive order aimed at reducing wait times for issuing licenses for professionals across the state, including nurses.
"I just signed my fourth executive order to upgrade Pennsylvania’s permitting, licensing and certification processes — which includes a money-back guarantee for applicants that don't get a response by a certain date," the governor tweeted Jan. 31.
The executive order details that if an applicant is issued a refund, "The refund will have no bearing on the disposition of the underlying application."
The move is designed to eliminate barriers and allow nurses to enter the workforce at a faster rate.
Licensing agencies statewide will now be held to a firm timeline of 90 days for issuance. According to NBC affiliate WCAU, Mr. Shapiro said after the review process, further guidelines about reimbursement and timelines will become publicly available.
"The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association is hopeful that Governor Shapiro's recent executive order will positively impact the licensing delays, the processing of new graduates and poor customer service at the State Board of Nursing," a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association said in a statement shared with Becker's. "We are also pleased with the conditions set forth in the order that will increase the board's accountability to licensees."
Further information about nurse licensing is available through the Pennsylvania Department of State.