Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth Leigh M. Chapman announced Thursday that improvements to Pennsylvania’s nurse licensing process will now allow new nursing school graduates to more quickly obtain a temporary practice permit (TPP) as they study for their nursing exams. Chapman said 570 nursing graduates who’d been waiting for their TPPs have now received them. TPPs allow graduates of Pennsylvania nursing schools to begin their careers in healthcare while their applications for full initial licensure are processed by the State Board of Nursing. Full initial licensure is a process that requires approximately 8 to 10 weeks for completion. Previously, applicants’ criminal histories were reviewed before a TPP was granted. Under the new process, board staff will issue a TPP immediately upon confirmation of the applicant’s graduation from a Pennsylvania nursing school. Criminal history records will still be reviewed before a nursing license is issued.