Emergency suspension

The executive director or the executive director's authorized designee may issue, upon authorization from the board's investigative panel, an emergency suspension of a license, registration, permit, or privilege to practice when continued practice of a licensee, registrant, applicant, or any individual with authority to practice nursing under any privilege would constitute a continuing and imminent threat to the public welfare. 1. The order of emergency suspension shall take effect upon written notice to the licensee, registrant, applicant, or any other individual with authority to practice nursing under any privilege and shall remain in effect until either retracted, modified, or superseded by final disciplinary action by the board or upon agreement between the board and the licensee, registrant, applicant, or individual. If a hearing is not requested by the licensee, registrant, applicant, or individual within twenty days of the notice, the emergency suspension shall become effective as a final order, for a suspension period of five years, without further notice. 2. In cases when disciplinary action is imposed, the board may additionally order that the emergency suspension continue in effect until the later of expiration of the time permitted for appeal or termination of the appellate process.