(1) Graduates of approved practical United States nursing education programs may be granted a temporary permit to practice practical nursing provided that:

(a) application for Montana licensure, supporting credentials, and fee have been submitted and approved by the board;

(b) the graduate has also applied for and been accepted for a licensing examination scheduled no later than 90 days following graduation; and

(c) the graduate has submitted a complete application for a temporary permit.

(2) The temporary permit issued to a graduate who does not pass the exam referred to in (1)(b) becomes null, void, and invalid three days after the board mails notification to the graduate of the exam result. Mailing is completed when notification is deposited in the U.S. mail. The graduate shall immediately return the temporary permit to the board office upon receipt of the notice that the graduate failed the exam referred to in (1)(b). Failure to do so is grounds for denial of a subsequent license application from the graduate and such other remedies as are provided by law.

(3) The temporary permit issued to a graduate who passes the exam referred to in (1)(b) remains valid until the license is granted or until two weeks after the board mails notification to the graduate of the exam result, whichever occurs first. Mailing is completed when notification is deposited in the U.S. mail.

(4) A practical nurse who is employed under a temporary practice permit shall function only under the direct supervision of a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, physician, naturopathic physician, physician assistant, optometrist, dentist, osteopath, or podiatrist, who is on the premises where and when the permittee is working and is specifically assigned the responsibility of supervising the performance of the temporary practice permittee. The supervisor must hold an unencumbered Montana license unless exempt as provided in Title 37, MCA, relative to the supervisor's profession or occupation.