Nursing Practice Act

Every state and territory in the US set laws to govern the practice of nursing. These laws are defined in the Nursing Practice Act (NPA). The NPA is then interpreted into regulations by each state and territorial nursing board with the authority to regulate the practice of nursing care and the power to enforce the laws. Fifty states, District of Columbia and 4 United States (US) territories, have state boards of nursing (BON) that are responsible for regulating their individual NPA. The boards enforce these laws as defined by their respective state or territorial legislative bodies. The legislative body gives the board of nursing the power to discipline nurses who violate the nursing laws and regulations. Only the BON has the power to discipline a nurse who may pose a danger to the public.

Copyright © 2024, StatPearls Publishing LLC.

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Annie Boehning declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Lisa Haddad declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Sections

• Definition/Introduction
• Issues of Concern
• Clinical Significance
• Nursing, Allied Health, and Interprofessional Team Monitoring
• Review Questions
• References

Similar articles

Coleman S, Vadakekut ES, Bohlen J. Coleman S, et al. 2023 Jul 14. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. 2023 Jul 14. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. PMID: 37603659 Free Books & Documents.

Toney-Butler TJ, Martin RL. Toney-Butler TJ, et al. 2023 Jan 2. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. 2023 Jan 2. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. PMID: 30422454 Free Books & Documents.

McCleery E, Christensen V, Peterson K, Humphrey L, Helfand M. McCleery E, et al. Washington (DC): Department of Veterans Affairs (US); 2014 Sep. Washington (DC): Department of Veterans Affairs (US); 2014 Sep. PMID: 27606392 Free Books & Documents. Review.

Thomas SA, Barter M, McLaughlin FE. Thomas SA, et al. JONAS Healthc Law Ethics Regul. 2000 Mar;2(1):13-21. doi: 10.1097/00128488-200002010-00004. JONAS Healthc Law Ethics Regul. 2000. PMID: 10824013

Osborne K. Osborne K. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2011 Nov-Dec;56(6):543-56. doi: 10.1111/j.1542-2011.2011.00123.x. Epub 2011 Oct 21. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2011. PMID: 22060214 Review.

References

1. 1. Pohlman KJ. Nursing discipline: demystifying the process. J Sch Nurs. 2003 Feb;19(1):52-7. - PubMed
   1. Brous E. Professional licensure: investigation and disciplinary action. Am J Nurs. 2012 Nov;112(11):53-60. - PubMed
   1. Litchfield SM. Update on the nurse licensure compact. AAOHN J. 2010 Jul;58(7):277-9. - PubMed
   1. Kaplan L. NP licensure and the discipline process. Nurse Pract. 2020 Mar;45(3):14-15. - PubMed
   1. Hartigan C. Scope of Practice. Crit Care Nurse. 2016 Oct;36(5):70-72. - PubMed