citation: BPC § 2786

text:
(a) (1) An approved school of nursing, or an approved nursing program, is one that has been approved by the board, gives the course of instruction approved by the board, covering not fewer than two academic years, is affiliated or conducted in connection with one or more hospitals, and is an institution of higher education. For purposes of this section, “institution of higher education” includes, but is not limited to, community colleges offering an associate of arts or associate of science degree and private postsecondary institutions offering an associate of arts, associate of science, or baccalaureate degree or an entry-level master’s degree, and is an institution that is not subject to the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 94800) of Part 59 of Division 10 of Title 3 of the Education Code).

(2) An approved school of nursing or nursing program shall meet a minimum of 500 direct patient care clinical hours in a board-approved clinical setting with a minimum of 30 hours of supervised direct patient care clinical hours dedicated to each nursing area specified by the board.

(A) Additional clinical hours required by the program for nursing education preparation in each nursing area as specified by the board shall be identified and documented in the curriculum plan for each area.

(B) An approved school of nursing or nursing program shall not be required to track the minimum clinical hours by individual students.

(3) An approved school of nursing or nursing program may cover fewer than two academic years if approved to provide a course of instruction that prepares a licensed vocational nurse licensed under the Vocational Nursing Practice Act (commencing with Section 2840) for a license under this chapter.

(b) A school of nursing that is affiliated with an institution that is subject to the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 94800) of Part 59 of Division 10 of Title 3 of the Education Code), may be approved by the board to grant an associate of arts or associate of science degree to individuals who graduate from the school of nursing or to grant a baccalaureate degree in nursing with successful completion of an additional course of study as approved by the board and the institution involved.

(c) (1) The board shall determine by regulation the required subjects of instruction to be completed in an approved school of nursing for licensure as a registered nurse and shall include the minimum units of theory and clinical experience necessary to achieve essential clinical competency at the entry level of the registered nurse. The board’s regulations shall be designed to require all schools to provide clinical instruction in all phases of the educational process, except as necessary to accommodate military education and experience as specified in Section 2786.1.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), whenever an agency or facility used by an approved nursing program for direct patient care clinical practice is no longer available or sufficient, the director of the approved nursing program may submit to a board nursing education consultant a request that the approved nursing program allow theory to precede clinical practice if all of the following conditions are met:

(A) No alternative agency or facility located within 25 miles of the impacted approved nursing program, campus, or location, as applicable, has a sufficient number of open placements that are available and accessible to the approved nursing program for direct patient care clinical practice hours in the same subject matter area. An approved program shall not be required to submit more than required under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 2786.3.

(B) Clinical practice takes place in the academic term immediately following theory.

(C) Theory is taught concurrently with clinical practice not in direct patient care if no direct patient care experiences are available.

(3) (A) The board shall annually collect, analyze, and report information related to the number of clinical placement slots that are available and the location of those clinical placement slots within the state, including, but not limited to, information concerning the total number of placement slots a clinical facility can accommodate and how many slots the programs that use the facility will need.

(B) The board shall utilize data from available regional or individual institution databases.

(C) The board shall publish the annual report on its internet website.

(4) (A) (i) The board shall annually collect, analyze, and report information related to the management of clinical placements and coordination with clinical facilities by approved schools of nursing or nursing programs.

(ii) The report shall include information relating to how approved schools of nursing or nursing programs collaborate and coordinate with other approved schools of nursing, nursing programs, or regional planning consortiums that utilize the same clinical facility.

(B) (i) The board shall publish the annual report on its internet website.

(ii) Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board shall annually submit the report under this subparagraph to the Legislature.

(iii) A report to be submitted under this subparagraph shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(d) The board shall perform or cause to be performed an analysis of the practice of the registered nurse no less than every five years. Results of the analysis shall be utilized to assist in the determination of the required subjects of instruction, validation of the licensing examination, and assessment of the current practice of nursing.

(e) (1) The executive officer shall develop a uniform method for evaluating requests and granting approvals pursuant to this section.

(2) The executive officer may revise the uniform method developed pursuant to this subdivision, as necessary. The development or revision of the uniform method shall be exempt from the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).

(3) The board’s nursing education consultants shall use the uniform method to evaluate requests and grant approvals pursuant to this section.

(4) The board shall post the approved method and any revisions on the board’s website.

(f) (1) Graduation requirements for an approved school of nursing, or an approved nursing program, shall include one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias training which shall include all of the following:

(A) Identification of previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation.

(B) Identification of personal, interpersonal, institutional, structural, and cultural barriers to inclusion.

(C) Corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.

(D) Information on the effects, including, but not limited to, ongoing personal effects, of historical and contemporary exclusion and oppression of minority communities.

(E) Information about cultural identity across racial or ethnic groups.

(F) Information about communicating more effectively across identities, including racial, ethnic, religious, and gender identities.

(G) Discussion on power dynamics and organizational decisionmaking.

(H) Discussion on health inequities within the perinatal care field, including information on how implicit bias impacts maternal and infant health outcomes.

(I) Perspectives of diverse, local constituency groups and experts on particular racial, identity, cultural, and provider-community relations issues in the community.

(J) Information on reproductive justice.

(2) This subdivision shall not be construed to do any of the following:

(A) Affect the requirements for licensure under this chapter.

(B) Require a curriculum revision.

(C) Affect licensure by endorsement under this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 776, Sec. 2. (SB 1015) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 4. Nursing Schools


kind: section

code: BPC

text:
(a) The board shall deny the application for approval made by, and shall revoke the approval given to, any school of nursing that does not give student applicants credit in the field of nursing for military education and experience by the use of challenge examinations or other methods of evaluation.

(b) The board shall adopt regulations by January 1, 2017, requiring schools to have a process to evaluate and grant credit for military education and experience. The regulations shall be adopted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code). The word “credit,” as used in this subdivision, is limited to credit for licensure only. The board is not authorized to prescribe the credit that an approved school of nursing shall give toward an academic certificate or degree.

(c) The board shall review a school’s policies and practices regarding granting credit for military education and experience at least once every five years to ensure consistency in evaluation and application across schools. The board shall post on its Internet Web site information related to the acceptance of military coursework and experience at each approved school.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 489, Sec. 6. (SB 466) Effective January 1, 2016.)

division: 2. HEALING ARTS

chapter: 6. Nursing

article: 4. Nursing Schools

path: 2. HEALING ARTS > 6. Nursing > 4. Nursing Schools


text:
(a) A private postsecondary school of nursing approved by the board pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 2786 shall comply with Chapter 8 of Part 59 of Division 10 of Title 3 of the Education Code. The board shall have a memorandum of understanding with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education to delineate the powers of the board to review and approve schools of nursing and the powers of the bureau to protect the interest of students attending institutions governed by the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009, Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 94800) of Division 10 of Title 3 of the Education Code.

(b) (1) For approved schools of nursing that are actively accredited by an institutional or programmatic accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education, the board shall, without requiring additional documentation or action, do the following, unless unrelated to the scope of accreditation:

(A) Perform site inspections jointly with accreditors.

(B) Accept continuing accreditation decisions from accreditors.

(C) Accept faculty hiring decisions made by the approved program director.

(D) Accept the self-study required by programmatic accreditors as a substitute for board self-study or data collection if the following are met:

(i) The program provides a crosswalk connecting the items in the report to the board’s regulatory requirements.

(ii) If the report does not address any of the board’s regulatory requirements, the program provides an addendum to the report to address those requirements.

(E) Accept substantive change requests, as defined under the uniform method developed under subdivision (e) of Section 2786, if approved by the accreditor unless the request is a request to increase enrollment or perform a major curriculum revision.

(F) When considering a request to increase enrollment, the board may consider only the following factors related to the ability to adequately train additional students:

(i) Adequacy of resources, including, but not limited to, faculty, facilities, equipment, and supplies.

(ii) Availability of clinical placements.

(iii) Complaints that have been verified by the board from students, faculty, or other interested parties.

(iv) Licensing examination pass rates, graduation rates, and retention rates.

(v) Any other similar factors specified by the board in regulations. The board shall not consider nursing workforce issues, including those identified under Section 2717, as factors for purposes of this subparagraph.

(2) Upon complaint or other evidence that an approved school of nursing does not meet the board’s standards, the board may withhold approval under this subdivision or perform additional site inspections pursuant to Section 2788.

(3) The board may make or withhold approvals under this subdivision prior to the adoption of implementing regulations.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 413, Sec. 12. (AB 2684) Effective January 1, 2023.)

article: 4. Nursing Schools


text:
(a) Until the end of the 2023–24 academic year, or whenever the Governor declares a state of emergency for a county in which an agency or facility used by an approved nursing program for direct patient care clinical practice is no longer available, the director of the approved nursing program may submit to a board nursing education consultant requests to do any of the following:

(1) Utilize a clinical setting until the end of the academic term without the following:

(A) Approval by the board.

(B) Written agreements with the clinical facility.

(C) Submitting evidence of compliance with board regulations relating to the utilization of clinical settings, except as necessary for a board nursing education consultant to ensure course objectives and faculty responsibilities will be met.

(2) Utilize preceptorships until the end of the academic term without having to maintain written policies relating to the following:

(A) Identification of criteria used for preceptor selection.

(B) Provision for a preceptor orientation program that covers the policies of the preceptorship and preceptor, student, and faculty responsibilities.

(C) Identification of preceptor qualifications for both the primary and the relief preceptor.

(D) Description of responsibilities of the faculty, preceptor, and student for the learning experiences and evaluation during preceptorship.

(E) Maintenance of preceptor records that includes names of all current preceptors, registered nurse licenses, and dates of preceptorships.

(F) Plan for an ongoing evaluation regarding the continued use of preceptors.

(3) Subject to subparagraph (F), request that the approved nursing program be allowed to reduce the required number of direct patient care hours to 50 percent in geriatrics and medical-surgical and 25 percent in mental health-psychiatric nursing, obstetrics, and pediatrics if all of the following conditions are met:

(A) No alternative agency or facility has a sufficient number of open placements that are available and accessible within 25 miles of the approved nursing program for direct patient care clinical practice hours in the same subject matter area. An approved nursing program shall submit, and not be required to provide more than, the following:

(i) The list of alternative agencies or facilities listed within 25 miles of the impacted approved nursing program, campus, or location, as applicable, using the facility finder on the Department of Health Care Access and Information website.

(ii) The list of courses impacted by the loss of clinical placements and the academic term the courses are offered.

(iii) Whether each of the listed alternative agencies or facilities would meet the course objectives for the courses requiring placements.

(iv) Whether the approved nursing program has contacted each of the listed alternative agencies or facilities about the availability of clinical placements. The approved nursing program shall not be required to contact a clinical facility that would not meet course objectives.

(v) The date of contact or attempted contact.

(vi) The number of open placements at each of the listed alternative agencies or facilities that are available for the academic term for each course. If an alternative agency or facility does not respond within 48 hours, the approved nursing program may list the alternative agency or facility as unavailable. If the alternative agency or facility subsequently responds prior to the submission of the request to a board nursing education consultant, the approved nursing program shall update the list to reflect the response.

(vii) Whether the open and available placements are accessible to the students and faculty. An open and available placement is accessible if there are no barriers that otherwise prohibit a student from entering the facility, including, but not limited to, the lack of personal protective equipment or cost-prohibitive infectious disease testing. An individual’s personal unwillingness to enter an alternative agency or facility does not make a placement inaccessible.

(viii) The total number of open and available placements that are accessible to the students and faculty compared to the total number of placements needed.

(B) The substitute clinical practice hours not in direct patient care provide a learning experience, as defined by the board consistent with Section 2708.1, that is at least equivalent to the learning experience provided by the direct patient care clinical practice hours.

(C) The temporary reduction provided in paragraph (3) shall cease as soon as practicable or by the end of the academic term, whichever is sooner.

(D) The substitute clinical practice hours not in direct patient care that are simulation experiences are based on the best practices published by the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, or equivalent standards approved by the board.

(E) A maximum of 25 percent of the direct patient care hours specified in paragraph (3) in geriatrics and medical-surgical may be completed via telehealth.

(F) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), no new requests under this paragraph shall be approved after the 2023–2024 academic year and any requests approved under this paragraph shall expire at the end of the 2023–24 academic year.

(b) If the conditions in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subdivision (a), as applicable to the request, are met, a board nursing education consultant shall approve the request. If an approved nursing program fails to submit information satisfactory to the board nursing education consultant, or fails to meet the conditions specified, the board nursing education consultant shall deny the request. If the request is not approved or denied on or before 5:00 p.m. on the date seven business days after receipt of the request, the request shall be deemed approved.

(c) (1) Within 30 days of the effective date of this section, the board’s executive officer shall develop a uniform method for evaluating requests and granting approvals pursuant to this section.

(2) The executive officer may revise the uniform method developed pursuant to this subdivision from time to time, as necessary. The development or revision of the uniform method shall be exempt from the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code).

(3) The board’s nursing education consultants shall use the uniform method to evaluate requests and grant approvals pursuant to this section.

(4) The board shall post the uniform method and any revisions on the board’s website.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 413, Sec. 13. (AB 2684) Effective January 1, 2023.)

article: 4. Nursing Schools


text:
(a) An institution of higher education or a private postsecondary school of nursing subject to Section 2786, or an entity affiliated with the institution or school of nursing, shall not make a payment to any clinical agency or facility in exchange for clinical experience placements for students enrolled in a nursing program offered by or affiliated with the institution or private postsecondary school of nursing.

(b) A payment shall be deemed a violation of subdivision (a) if made within two years of a clinical experience placement at a facility.

(c) The payment of reasonable administrative fees for purposes of credentialing, databank registration, purchasing supplies, or similar costs or reimbursements does not constitute a violation of subdivision (a).

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 413, Sec. 14. (AB 2684) Effective January 1, 2023.)

article: 4. Nursing Schools


text:
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 128.5, an institution of higher education or a private postsecondary school of nursing approved by the board pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 2786 shall remit to the board for deposit in the Board of Registered Nursing Fund the following fees, in accordance with the following schedule:

(1) The fee for approval of a school of nursing shall be fixed by the board at not more than eighty thousand dollars ($80,000).

(2) The processing fee for authorization of a substantive change to an approval of a school of nursing shall be fixed by the board at not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000). The board shall not require a fee for substantive changes approved under subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 2786.2 or curriculum revisions, as defined under the uniform method developed under subdivision (e) of Section 2786.

(b) If the board determines that the cost of providing oversight and review of a school of nursing, as required by this article, is less than the amount of any fees required to be paid by that institution pursuant to this article, the board may decrease the fees applicable to that institution to an amount that is proportional to the board’s costs associated with that institution.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 413, Sec. 15. (AB 2684) Effective January 1, 2023.)

article: 4. Nursing Schools


text:
The board shall deny the application for approval made by, and shall revoke the approval given to, any school of nursing which:

(a) Does not give to student applicants credit, in the field of nursing, for previous education and the opportunity to obtain credit for other acquired knowledge by the use of challenge examinations or other methods of evaluation; or,

(b) Is operated by a community college and discriminates against an applicant for admission to a school solely on the grounds that the applicant is seeking to fulfill the units of nursing required by Section 2736.6.

The board shall prescribe, by regulation, the education for which credit is to be given and the amount of credit which is to be given for each type of education. The word “credit,” as used in the preceding sentence, is limited to credit for licensure only. The board is not authorized to prescribe the credit which an approved school of nursing shall give toward an academic certificate or degree.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 742, Sec. 8.)

article: 4. Nursing Schools


citation: BPC § 2787

text:
If the board requires the approval of the faculty or directors in regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 2786, all of the following apply:

(a) The board may approve an individual to serve as a member of the faculty, director, or assistant director of an approved school of nursing or nursing program.

(b) The board shall approve an applicant for individual approval if the applicant submits a completed application in the form prescribed by the board demonstrating that the applicant meets the requirements established by the board for faculty, directors, and assistant directors of an approved school of nursing or nursing program.

(c) The individual approval under this section shall be valid for five years and may be renewed if the individual demonstrates to the board that they continue to meet the requirements established by the board for faculty, directors, and assistant directors of an approved school of nursing or nursing program.

(d) The board shall display an approved individual’s faculty, director, or assistant director approval status, including the approved faculty level and content areas, if applicable, and the status of their nursing license through an online search tool administered by the department.

(e) (1) If an applicant for approval under this section has a faculty position and does not meet a requirement established by the board for a different position, the board may accept a remediation plan submitted by an approved school of nursing or nursing program to help the applicant meet the requirement.

(2) If the board accepts the plan submitted under paragraph (1), the board may approve the applicant to instruct in theory under the mentorship and supervision of the content expert identified in the plan for up to one year.

(f) If required by the board for directors and assistant directors of an approved school of nursing or nursing program, an approved school of nursing or nursing program shall continue to report to the board changes in the nursing program’s director and assistant director of nursing positions.

(g) An approved school of nursing or nursing program shall not be required to report to the board any of the following faculty changes:

(1) A change in a faculty member’s teaching area.

(2) An offer of employment for a faculty member position.

(3) Termination of employment of a faculty member.

(h) This section does not modify any limitations on the powers of the board related to the faculty approval of accredited schools of nursing and nursing programs as specified in subdivision (b) of Section 2786.2.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 370, Sec. 1. (AB 2015) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 4. Nursing Schools


citation: BPC § 2788

text:
It shall be the duty of the board, through its executive officer, to inspect all schools of nursing in this state at such times as the board shall deem necessary. Written reports of the executive officer’s visits shall be made to the board, which shall thereupon approve those schools of nursing that meet the requirements provided by the board.

Upon receiving the report of the executive officer, if the board determines that any approved school of nursing is not maintaining the standard required by the board, notice thereof in writing specifying the defect or defects shall be immediately given to the school. If the defects are not corrected within a reasonable time, the school of nursing may be removed from the approved list and notice thereof in writing given to it.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 742, Sec. 10.)

article: 4. Nursing Schools


citation: BPC § 2789

text: None of the provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to any school or schools conducted by any well recognized church or denomination for the purpose of training the adherents of such church or denomination in the care of the sick in accordance with its religious tenets.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1939, Ch. 807.)

article: 4. Nursing Schools


citation: BPC § 2795

text:
Except as provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:

(a) To practice or to offer to practice nursing in this state unless the person holds a license in an active status.

(b) To use any title, sign, card, or device to indicate that he or she is qualified to practice or is practicing nursing, unless the person has been duly licensed or certified under this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 350, Sec. 2.)

article: 5. Penal Provisions

path: 2. HEALING ARTS > 6. Nursing > 5. Penal Provisions


citation: BPC § 2796

text:
It is unlawful for any person or persons not licensed or certified as provided in this chapter to use the title “registered nurse,” the letters “R.N. ,” or the words “graduate nurse,” “trained nurse,” or “nurse anesthetist.”

It is unlawful for any person or persons not licensed or certified as provided in this chapter to impersonate a professional nurse or pretend to be licensed to practice professional nursing as provided in this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 696, Sec. 5.)

article: 5. Penal Provisions


citation: BPC § 2797

text: It is unlawful for a person to wilfully make any false representation or to impersonate any other person or permit or aid any person in any manner to impersonate him in connection with any examination or application for a license, or request to be examined or licensed.

article: 5. Penal Provisions


citation: BPC § 2798

text:
(a) It is unlawful for anyone to conduct a school of nursing unless the school has been approved by the board.

(b) If the board has a reasonable belief, either by complaint or otherwise, that a school is allowing students to apply for its nursing program and that nursing program does not have the approval of the board, the board shall immediately order the school to cease and desist from offering students the ability to enroll in its nursing program. The board shall also notify the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education and the Attorney General’s office that the school is offering students the ability to enroll in a nursing program that does not have the approval of the board.

(c) It shall be unprofessional conduct for any registered nurse to violate or attempt to violate, either directly or indirectly, or to assist or abet the violation of, this section.

(d) This section is not applicable to schools conducted under Section 2789 of this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 789, Sec. 6. (SB 122) Effective January 1, 2013.)

article: 5. Penal Provisions


citation: BPC § 2799

text: Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon a conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 10 days nor more than one year, or by a fine of not less than twenty dollars ($20) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1092, Sec. 10. Effective September 27, 1983. Operative January 1, 1984, by Sec. 427 of Ch. 1092.)

article: 5. Penal Provisions


citation: BPC § 2800

text: None of the sections in this article, except Sections 2796 and 2797, shall be applicable to any person or persons specifically exempted from the general provisions of this act by Section 2731 hereof, or to schools conducted by any well-recognized church or denomination for the purpose of training the adherents of the church or denomination in the care of the sick in accordance with its religious tenets. An adherent of any well-recognized church or denomination who engages in nursing or the care of the sick in connection with the practice of the religious tenets of the well-recognized church or denomination may use the word “nurse” in connection with or following their name, provided they shall not use the title “registered nurse,” the letters “R.N.,” the words “graduate nurse,” “trained nurse,” “nurse anesthetist,” or any other name, word, or symbol in connection with or following their name so as to lead another or others to believe that they are a professional nurse licensed under the provisions of this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 510, Sec. 42. (SB 887) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 5. Penal Provisions


citation: BPC § 2810

text: There is established in the State Treasury a Board of Registered Nursing Fund. The California Board of Nursing Education and Nurse Registration Fund of the State of California is abolished. The Controller, on, January 1, 1975, shall transfer any balance in that fund to the Board of Registered Nursing Fund. Any reference in state law to the Board of Nurse Examiners Fund or the Board of Nurse Examiners Fund of the State of California shall be construed to refer to the Board of Registered Nursing Fund.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1974, Ch. 632.)

article: 6. Revenue

path: 2. HEALING ARTS > 6. Nursing > 6. Revenue


citation: BPC § 2811

text:
(a) Each person holding a regular renewable license under this chapter, whether in an active or inactive status, shall apply for a renewal of their license and pay the biennial renewal fee required by this chapter every two years on or before the last day of the month following the month in which their birthday occurs, beginning with the second birthday following the date on which the license was issued, whereupon the board shall renew the license.

(b) A license not renewed in accordance with this section shall expire but may within a period of eight years thereafter be reinstated upon payment of the fee required by this chapter and upon submission of proof of the applicant’s qualifications as may be required by the board. During the eight-year period, no examination shall be required as a condition for the reinstatement of an expired license that has lapsed solely by reason of nonpayment of the renewal fee. After the expiration of the eight-year period, the board may require as a condition of reinstatement that the applicant pass an examination as the board deems necessary to determine their present fitness to resume the practice of professional nursing.

(c) A license in an inactive status may be restored to an active status if the licensee meets the continuing education standards of Section 2811.5.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 510, Sec. 43. (SB 887) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 6. Revenue


text:
(a) The board, upon application and payment of the fee established pursuant to subdivision (h), shall issue a retired license to a registered nurse, if the licensee meets both of the following qualifications:

(1) Holds an unrestricted license on the date of application.

(2) If not already on record, furnishes to the Department of Justice, as directed by the board, fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a criminal history record check and for the purpose of undergoing a state and federal level criminal offender record information search conducted through the Department of Justice.

(b) An applicant may elect to retire upon renewal or upon submission of an application to the board as required.

(c) A retired licensee shall be exempt from continuing education requirements.

(d) A retired licensee shall utilize their professional title only with the unabbreviated word “retired” directly preceding or directly following the professional title.

(e) A retired licensee may provide nursing services to the public free of charge in any public health program created by federal, state, or local law or administered by a federal, state, county, or local governmental entity, if a licensed registered nurse or nurses provide adequate medical and nursing supervision. These services shall be limited to services that the retired licensee was permitted to perform under the licensee’s active license and that the licensee is competent to perform, as determined by the supervising licensed registered nurse. A retired licensee shall not engage in any activity that requires an active registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse license.

(f) The board may investigate potential violations or take action against a retired license for a violation of this chapter. For this purpose, a retired license is deemed a lapsed license as that term is used in Section 2764.

(g) The board may reinstate a retired license to active status one time only, if the retired licensee fulfills the requirements for renewal of a license, including furnishing fingerprints, paying renewal fees, and providing evidence of the following, as applicable:

(1) For a retired licensee who has been retired for eight years or less, 30 hours of continuing education taken within the previous two-year period.

(2) For a retired licensee who has been retired for more than eight years, either a current valid active and clear registered nurse license in another state, a United States territory, or Canada, or passing the current examination for licensure.

(h) The board, by regulation, may establish a fee for a retired license in an amount not less than one-half of the regular renewal fee.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 449, Sec. 1. (AB 633) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 6. Revenue


text:
(a) Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:

(1) By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.

(2) By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.

(c) For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.

(d) The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.

(e) The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.

(f) In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.

(2) The psychosocial dynamics of death.

(3) Dying and bereavement.

(4) Hospice care.

(g) (1) In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.

(2) In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.

(h) This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees’ previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.

(i) The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.

(j) For the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of subdivision (a), the following apply:

(1) A nurse practitioner who provides primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older shall certify that they have completed at least 20 percent of all existing mandatory continuing education hours in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients at the time of renewal.

(2) Beginning July 1, 2027, a nurse practitioner who provides care to a patient population composed of adult women under 65 years of age who completes one or more continuing education courses in perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopausal care shall receive two hours for each hour of a completed course, not to exceed six hours, if the following are met:

(A) The course or course provider is accredited by one of the following:

(i) American Nurses Credentialing Center.

(ii) American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

(iii) Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.

(iv) Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education.

(v) The successor organization to an organization specified under this subparagraph.

(B) If the course covers multiple topics, the additional hours are only granted for the hours specified by the course provider as covering perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopausal care.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2026, Ch. 27, Sec. 4. (SB 164) Effective June 29, 2026.)

article: 6. Revenue


text: Providers of continuing education programs approved by the board pursuant to Section 2811.5 shall make available for board inspection records of continuing education courses given to registered nurses.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 167.)

article: 6. Revenue


citation: BPC § 2812

text: Within 10 days after the beginning of each month, the board shall report to the State Controller the amount and source of all collections made under this chapter. At the same time, all amounts shall be paid into the State Treasury, where they shall be placed to the credit of the Board of Registered Nursing Fund and to the Registered Nurse Education Fund, as specified in Section 128400 of the Health and Safety Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1023, Sec. 11. Effective September 29, 1996.)

article: 6. Revenue


citation: BPC § 2814

text: All money in the Board of Registered Nursing Fund shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to carry out this chapter and the promotion of nursing education in this state.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 520, Sec. 8. (SB 799) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 6. Revenue


citation: BPC § 2815

text:
Subject to the provisions of Section 128.5, the amount of the fees prescribed by this chapter in connection with the issuance of licenses for registered nurses under its provisions is that fixed by the following schedule:

(a) (1) The fee to be paid upon the filing by a graduate of an approved school of nursing in this state of an application for a licensure by examination shall be fixed by the board at not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(2) The fee to be paid upon the filing by a graduate of a school of nursing in another state, district, or territory of the United States of an application for a licensure by examination shall be fixed by the board at not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(3) The fee to be paid upon the filing by a graduate of a school of nursing in another country of an application for a licensure by examination shall be fixed by the board at not more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500).

(4) The fee to be paid upon the filing of an application for licensure by a repeat examination shall be fixed by the board at not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(b) The fee to be paid for taking each examination shall be the actual cost to purchase an examination from a vendor approved by the board.

(c) (1) The fee to be paid for application by a person who is licensed or registered as a nurse in another state, district, or territory of the United States for licensure by endorsement shall be fixed by the board at not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(2) The fee to be paid for application by a person who is licensed or registered as a nurse in another country for licensure by endorsement shall be fixed by the board at not more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500).

(d) (1) The biennial fee to be paid upon the filing of an application for renewal of the license shall be not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750). In addition, an assessment of ten dollars ($10) shall be collected and credited to the Registered Nurse Education Fund, pursuant to Section 2815.1.

(2) The fee to be paid upon the filing of an application for reinstatement pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 2811 shall be not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(e) The penalty fee for failure to renew a license within the prescribed time shall be fixed by the board at not more than 50 percent of the regular renewal fee, but not more than three hundred seventy-five dollars ($375).

(f) The fee to be paid for approval of a continuing education provider shall be fixed by the board at not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(g) The biennial fee to be paid upon the filing of an application for renewal of provider approval shall be fixed by the board at not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(h) The penalty fee for failure to renew provider approval within the prescribed time shall be fixed at not more than 50 percent of the regular renewal fee, but not more than five hundred dollars ($500).

(i) The penalty for submitting insufficient funds or fictitious check, draft or order on any bank or depository for payment of any fee to the board shall be fixed at not more than thirty dollars ($30).

(j) The fee to be paid for an interim permit shall be fixed by the board at not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(k) The fee to be paid for a temporary license shall be fixed by the board at not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(l) The fee to be paid for processing endorsement papers to other states shall be fixed by the board at not more than two hundred dollars ($200).

(m) The fee to be paid for a certified copy of a school transcript shall be fixed by the board at not more than one hundred dollars ($100).

(n) (1) The fee to be paid for a duplicate pocket license shall be fixed by the board at not more than seventy-five dollars ($75).

(2) The fee to be paid for a duplicate wall certificate shall be fixed by the board at not more than one hundred dollars ($100).

(o) (1) The fee to be paid by a registered nurse for an evaluation of their qualifications to use the title “nurse practitioner” shall be fixed by the board at not more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500).

(2) The fee to be paid by a registered nurse for a temporary certificate to practice as a nurse practitioner shall be fixed by the board at not more than five hundred dollars ($500).

(3) The fee to be paid upon the filing of an application for renewal of a certificate to practice as a nurse practitioner shall be not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(4) The penalty fee for failure to renew a certificate to practice as a nurse practitioner within the prescribed time shall be not more than five hundred dollars ($500).

(p) The fee to be paid by a registered nurse for listing as a “psychiatric mental health nurse” shall be fixed by the board at not than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750).

(q) The fee to be paid for duplicate National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN) examination results shall be not more than one hundred dollars ($100).

(r) The fee to be paid for a letter certifying a license shall be not more than thirty dollars ($30).

(s) The fee to be paid for a certificate issued pursuant to Section 2837.103 shall be an amount sufficient to cover the reasonable regulatory cost of issuing the certificate.

(t) The fee to be paid for a certificate issued pursuant to Section 2837.104 shall be an amount sufficient to cover the reasonable regulatory cost of issuing the certificate.

No further fee shall be required for a license or a renewal thereof other than as prescribed by this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 413, Sec. 16. (AB 2684) Effective January 1, 2023.)

article: 6. Revenue


text: As provided in subdivision (d) of Section 2815, the Board of Registered Nursing shall collect an additional ten dollar ($10) assessment at the time of the biennial licensure renewal. This amount shall be credited to the Registered Nurse Education Fund. This assessment is separate from those fees prescribed in Section 2815.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 640, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2004.)

article: 6. Revenue


text:
The amount of the fees prescribed by this chapter in connection with the issuance of certificates as nurse-midwives is that fixed by the following schedule:

(a) The fee to be paid upon the filing of an application for a certificate shall be fixed by the board at not more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500).

(b) The biennial fee to be paid upon the application for a renewal of a certificate shall be fixed by the board at not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(c) The penalty fee for failure to renew a certificate within the prescribed time shall be 50 percent of the renewal fee in effect on the date of the renewal of the license, but not more than five hundred dollars ($500).

(d) The fee to be paid upon the filing of an application for the nurse-midwife equivalency examination shall be fixed by the board at not more than two hundred dollars ($200).

(e) The fee to be paid for a temporary certificate shall be fixed by the board at not more than five hundred dollars ($500).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 413, Sec. 17. (AB 2684) Effective January 1, 2023.)

article: 6. Revenue


text: The board shall report to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of each house of the Legislature whenever the board proposes or adopts an increase in any fee imposed pursuant to this chapter. The board shall specify the reasons for each fee increase and shall identify the percentage of the funds derived from an increase in any fee that will be used for investigational or enforcement related activities by the board.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 352, Sec. 4.)

article: 6. Revenue


citation: BPC § 2816

text:
(a) The nonrefundable fee to be paid by a registered nurse for an evaluation of their qualifications to use the title “public health nurse” shall not be more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). All fees payable under this section shall be collected by and paid to the Board of Registered Nursing Fund. It is the intention of the Legislature that the costs of carrying out the purposes of this article shall be covered by the revenue collected pursuant to this section. The board shall refund any registered nurse who paid more than three hundred dollars ($300) for an evaluation of their qualifications to use the title “public health nurse” between April 5, 2018, and December 31, 2018.

(b) A public health nurse certificate is not subject to renewal.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 717, Sec. 1.5. (AB 2471) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 6.5. Public Health Nurse Certification

path: 2. HEALING ARTS > 6. Nursing > 6.5. Public Health Nurse Certification


citation: BPC § 2817

text: The qualifications prescribed by the board under this article shall include a requirement that an applicant for employment as a public health nurse and all public health nurses employed on or after January 1, 1981, acquire training in child abuse and neglect detection.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 1135, Sec. 2.8. Effective January 1, 1993.)

article: 6.5. Public Health Nurse Certification


citation: BPC § 2818

text:
(a) The Legislature recognizes that public health nursing is a service of crucial importance for the health, safety, and sanitation of the population in all of California’s communities. These services currently include, but are not limited to:

(1) Control and prevention of communicable disease.

(2) Promotion of maternal, child, and adolescent health.

(3) Prevention of abuse and neglect of children, elders, and spouses.

(4) Outreach screening, case management, resource coordination and assessment, and delivery and evaluation of care for individuals, families, and communities.

(b) The Legislature also finds that conflicting definitions of “public health nurse” have been created by various state and local agencies within California. The Legislature also finds that the public is harmed by the conflicting usage of the title “public health nurse” and lack of consistency between the use of the term and the qualifications required in state law and in administrative regulations. Therefore, the Legislature finds that the public interest would be served by determining the conditions for the legitimate use by registered nurses of a title which includes the term “public health nurse.”

(c) No individual shall hold himself or herself out as a public health nurse or use a title which includes the term “public health nurse” unless that individual is in possession of a valid California public health nurse certificate issued pursuant to this article.

(d) No employer subject to regulation by Section 602 of the Health and Safety Code shall hold out any employee to be a public health nurse or grant a title to any employee including the term “public health nurse” unless that employee holds a valid California public health nurse certificate pursuant to this article.

article: 6.5. Public Health Nurse Certification


citation: BPC § 2819

text: In order to effect a speedy and efficient transfer of public health nurse certification from the State Department of Health Services to the board, existing Sections 4500 to 4504, inclusive, of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations shall be repealed by the State Department of Health Services and adopted by the board to place them in Chapter 14 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations, and any reference to the State Department of Health Services in those regulations shall be changed to refer to the board. The repeal of the regulations and adoption of the revised regulations pursuant to this section shall be exempt from the Administrative Procedure Act, Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, except that the repealed and adopted regulations shall be filed with the Office of Administrative Law for publication in the California Code of Regulations.

article: 6.5. Public Health Nurse Certification


citation: BPC § 2820

text: Nothing in this article shall be construed as expanding the scope of practice of a registered nurse beyond that which is authorized under Section 2725.

article: 6.5. Public Health Nurse Certification


citation: BPC § 2825

text: This article may be cited as the Nurse Anesthetists Act.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 696, Sec. 7.)

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists

path: 2. HEALING ARTS > 6. Nursing > 7. Nurse Anesthetists


citation: BPC § 2826

text:
As used in this article:

(a) “Nurse anesthetist” means a person who is a registered nurse licensed by the board who has met standards for certification from the board. In the certification and recertification process, the board shall consider the standards of the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, or a successor national professional organization approved by the board, and may develop new standards if there is a public safety need for standards more stringent than the councils’ standards. In determining the adequacy for public safety of the councils’ standards or in developing board standards, the board shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(b) “Accredited program” means a program for the education of nurse anesthetists that has received approval from the board. In the approval process, the board shall consider the standards of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs and Schools and may develop new standards if the councils’ standards are determined to be inadequate for public safety. In determining the adequacy for public safety of the councils’ standards or in developing board standards, the board shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(c) “Anesthesia services” include all of the following:

(1) Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care and pain management provided by a nurse anesthetist for patients receiving anesthesia pursuant to an order by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist for anesthesia services.

(2) Selecting and administering medication pursuant to an order for anesthesia services by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist.

(3) Providing emergency, critical care, and resuscitation services.

(d) “Appropriate committee” means the committee responsible for anesthesia practice that is responsible to the executive committee of the medical staff.

(e) “Trainee” means a registered nurse enrolled in an accredited program of nurse anesthesia.

(f) “Graduate” means a nurse anesthetist who is a graduate of an accredited program of nurse anesthesia awaiting initial certification results for not more than one year from the date of graduation.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 169, Sec. 1. (AB 876) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


text: A nurse anesthetist is authorized to perform anesthesia services.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 169, Sec. 2. (AB 876) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


text: An order by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist for anesthesia services for a specific patient shall be the authorization for the nurse anesthetist to select and implement the modality of anesthesia for the patient and to abort or modify the modality of anesthesia for the patient during the course of care.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 169, Sec. 3. (AB 876) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


text: The selection and administration of medication by a nurse anesthetist, including controlled substances, for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care and for pain management purposes pursuant to an order by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist shall not constitute a prescription, as that term is defined in Section 1300.01 of Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 169, Sec. 4. (AB 876) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


citation: BPC § 2827

text: The utilization of a nurse anesthetist to provide anesthesia services in an acute care facility shall be approved by the acute care facility administration and the appropriate committee, and at the discretion of the physician, dentist or podiatrist. If a general anesthetic agent is administered in a dental office, the dentist shall hold a permit authorized by Article 2.7 (commencing with Section 1646) of Chapter 4 or, commencing January 1, 2022, Article 2.75 (commencing with Section 1646) of Chapter 4.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 929, Sec. 16. (SB 501) Effective January 1, 2019.)

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


citation: BPC § 2828

text: In an acute care facility, a nurse anesthetist who is not an employee of the facility shall, nonetheless, be subject to the bylaws of the facility and may be required by the facility to provide proof of current professional liability insurance coverage. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a nurse anesthetist shall be responsible for their own professional conduct and may be held liable for those professional acts.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 510, Sec. 47. (SB 887) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


citation: BPC § 2829

text: It is unlawful for any person or persons to advertise, use any title, sign, card, or device, or to otherwise hold himself or herself out as a “nurse anesthetist” unless the person meets the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 2826 and has been so certified under the provisions of this article.

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


citation: BPC § 2830

text: The board shall issue a certificate to practice nurse anesthesia to any person who qualifies under this article and is licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


text: Every applicant shall show by evidence satisfactory to the board that he or she has met the requirements of this article.

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


text: Notwithstanding Section 2830, the board shall certify all applicants who can show certification by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists or a successor national professional organization approved by the board. This certification shall be documented to the board in a manner to be determined by the board. Proof of certification shall be filed with the board within six months from the effective date of this article and the board shall, within one year from the effective date of this article, issue a certificate to applicants who have filed proof of certification within that six-month period.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 510, Sec. 48. (SB 887) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


text:
The amount of the fees prescribed by this chapter in connection with the issuance of certificates as nurse anesthetists is that fixed by the following schedule:

(a) The fee to be paid upon the filing of an application for a certificate shall be fixed by the board at not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500).

(b) The biennial fee to be paid upon the application for a renewal of a certificate shall be fixed by the board at not less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(c) The penalty fee for failure to renew a certificate within the prescribed time shall be 50 percent of the renewal fee in effect on the date of the renewal of the license, but not less than seventy-five dollars ($75) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500).

(d) The fee to be paid for a temporary certificate shall be fixed by the board at not less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 799, Sec. 20. (SB 1039) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


citation: BPC § 2831

text: An applicant for certification pursuant to this article shall submit a written application in the form prescribed by the board, accompanied by the fee prescribed by Section 2830.7 which shall also apply to the issuance of a certificate under the provisions of this article.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 352, Sec. 5.)

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


citation: BPC § 2832

text: Every applicant for a certificate to practice nurse anesthesia shall comply with all the provisions of this article in addition to the provisions of this chapter.

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


citation: BPC § 2833

text:
(a) Each certificate issued pursuant to this article shall be renewable biennially, and each person holding a certificate under this article shall apply for a renewal of their certificate and pay the biennial renewal fee required by Section 2830.7 every two years on or before the last day of the month following the month in which their birthday occurs, beginning with the second birthday following the date on which the certificate was issued, whereupon the board shall renew the certificate.

(b) Each certificate not renewed in accordance with this section shall expire but may within a period of eight years thereafter be reinstated upon payment of the biennial renewal fee and penalty fee required by Section 2830.7 and upon submission of proof of the applicant’s qualifications as may be required by the board. During the eight-year period, no examination shall be required as a condition for the reinstatement of any expired certificate that has lapsed solely by reason of nonpayment of the renewable fee. After the expiration of the eight-year period the board may require, as a condition of reinstatement, that the applicant pass an examination as it deems necessary to determine their present fitness to resume the practice of nurse anesthesia.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 510, Sec. 49. (SB 887) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


text: Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit a certified nurse anesthetist’s ability to practice nursing.

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


text: Except as provided in Section 2725 and in this section, the practice of nurse anesthetist does not confer authority to practice medicine or surgery.

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


text: Nothing in this article shall be construed to restrict, expand, alter, or modify the existing scope of practice of, a nurse anesthetist and is declaratory of existing law and advisory opinion, including, but not limited to, California Society of Anesthesiologists v. Brown (2012) 204 Cal.App.4th 390.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 169, Sec. 5. (AB 876) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 7. Nurse Anesthetists


citation: BPC § 2834

text: The Legislature finds that various and conflicting definitions of the nurse practitioner are being created by state agencies and private organizations within California. The Legislature also finds that the public is harmed by conflicting usage of the title of nurse practitioner and lack of correspondence between use of the title and qualifications of the registered nurse using the title. Therefore, the Legislature finds the public interest served by determination of the legitimate use of the title “nurse practitioner” by registered nurses.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1977, Ch. 439.)

article: 8. Nurse Practitioners

path: 2. HEALING ARTS > 6. Nursing > 8. Nurse Practitioners


citation: BPC § 2835

text: No person shall advertise or hold himself out as a “nurse practitioner” who is not a nurse licensed under this chapter and does not, in addition, meet the standards for a nurse practitioner established by the board.

article: 8. Nurse Practitioners


text:
On and after January 1, 2008, an applicant for initial qualification or certification as a nurse practitioner under this article who has not been qualified or certified as a nurse practitioner in California or any other state shall meet the following requirements:

(a) Hold a valid and active registered nursing license issued under this chapter.

(b) Possess a master’s degree in nursing, a master’s degree in a clinical field related to nursing, or a graduate degree in nursing.

(c) Satisfactorily complete a nurse practitioner program approved by the board.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 426, Sec. 31. (SB 800) Effective January 1, 2016.)

article: 8. Nurse Practitioners


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in addition to any other practices that meet the general criteria set forth in statute or regulation for inclusion in standardized procedures developed through collaboration among administrators and health professionals, including physicians and surgeons and nurses, pursuant to Section 2725, standardized procedures may be implemented that authorize a nurse practitioner to do any of the following:(1) Order durable medical equipment, subject to any limitations set forth in the standardized procedures. Notwithstanding that authority, nothing in this paragraph shall operate to limit the ability of a third-party payer to require prior approval.

(2) After performance of a physical examination by the nurse practitioner and collaboration with a physician and surgeon, certify disability pursuant to Section 2708 of the Unemployment Insurance Code.

(3) For individuals receiving home health services or personal care services, after consultation with the treating physician and surgeon, approve, sign, modify, or add to a plan of treatment or plan of care.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the validity of any standardized procedures in effect prior to the enactment of this section or those adopted subsequent to enactment.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 308, Sec. 34. (SB 819) Effective January 1, 2010.)

article: 8. Nurse Practitioners


citation: BPC § 2836

text:
(a) The board shall establish categories of nurse practitioners and standards for nurses to hold themselves out as nurse practitioners in each category. The standards shall take into account the types of advanced levels of nursing practice that are or may be performed and the clinical and didactic education, as outlined in the nurse practitioner curriculum core competencies specified in the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties’ Nurse Practitioner Role Core Competencies (2022), or a successor approved by the board, experience, or both, needed to practice safely at those levels. In setting the standards, the board shall consult with nurse practitioners, physicians and surgeons with expertise in the nurse practitioner field, and health care organizations using nurse practitioners. Established standards shall apply to persons without regard to the date of meeting the standards. If the board sets standards for use of nurse practitioner titles that include completion of an academically affiliated program, it shall provide equivalent standards for registered nurses who have not completed the program.

(b) Any regulations promulgated by a state department that affect the scope of practice of a nurse practitioner shall be developed in consultation with the board.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 510, Sec. 50. (SB 887) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 8. Nurse Practitioners


text:
Neither this chapter nor any other provision of law shall be construed to prohibit a nurse practitioner from furnishing or ordering drugs or devices when all of the following apply:

(a) The drugs or devices are furnished or ordered by a nurse practitioner in accordance with standardized procedures or protocols developed by the nurse practitioner and the supervising physician and surgeon when the drugs or devices furnished or ordered are consistent with the practitioner’s educational preparation or for which clinical competency has been established and maintained.

(b) The nurse practitioner is functioning pursuant to standardized procedure, as defined by Section 2725, or protocol. The standardized procedure or protocol shall be developed and approved by the supervising physician and surgeon, the nurse practitioner, and the facility administrator or the designee.

(c) (1) The standardized procedure or protocol covering the furnishing of drugs or devices shall specify which nurse practitioners may furnish or order drugs or devices, which drugs or devices may be furnished or ordered, under what circumstances, the extent of physician and surgeon supervision, the method of periodic review of the nurse practitioner’s competence, including peer review, and review of the provisions of the standardized procedure.

(2) In addition to the requirements in paragraph (1), for Schedule II controlled substance protocols, the provision for furnishing Schedule II controlled substances shall address the diagnosis of the illness, injury, or condition for which the Schedule II controlled substance is to be furnished.

(d) The furnishing or ordering of drugs or devices by a nurse practitioner occurs under physician and surgeon supervision. Physician and surgeon supervision shall not be construed to require the physical presence of the physician, but does include (1) collaboration on the development of the standardized procedure, (2) approval of the standardized procedure, and (3) availability by telephonic contact at the time of patient examination by the nurse practitioner.

(e) For purposes of this section, no physician and surgeon shall supervise more than four nurse practitioners at one time.

(f) (1) Drugs or devices furnished or ordered by a nurse practitioner may include Schedule II through Schedule V controlled substances under the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code) and shall be further limited to those drugs agreed upon by the nurse practitioner and physician and surgeon and specified in the standardized procedure.

(2) When Schedule II or III controlled substances, as defined in Sections 11055 and 11056, respectively, of the Health and Safety Code, are furnished or ordered by a nurse practitioner, the controlled substances shall be furnished or ordered in accordance with a patient-specific protocol approved by the treating or supervising physician. A copy of the section of the nurse practitioner’s standardized procedure relating to controlled substances shall be provided, upon request, to any licensed pharmacist who dispenses drugs or devices, when there is uncertainty about the nurse practitioner furnishing the order.

(g) (1) The board has certified in accordance with Section 2836.3 that the nurse practitioner has satisfactorily completed a course in pharmacology covering the drugs or devices to be furnished or ordered under this section.

(2) A physician and surgeon may determine the extent of supervision necessary pursuant to this section in the furnishing or ordering of drugs and devices.

(3) Nurse practitioners who are certified by the board and hold an active furnishing number, who are authorized through standardized procedures or protocols to furnish Schedule II controlled substances, and who are registered with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, shall complete, as part of their continuing education requirements, a course including Schedule II controlled substances, and the risks of addiction associated with their use, based on the standards developed by the board. The board shall establish the requirements for satisfactory completion of this subdivision.

(h) Use of the term “furnishing” in this section, in health facilities defined in Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code, shall include (1) the ordering of a drug or device in accordance with the standardized procedure and (2) transmitting an order of a supervising physician and surgeon.

(i) “Drug order” or “order” for purposes of this section means an order for medication which is dispensed to or for an ultimate user, issued by a nurse practitioner as an individual practitioner, within the meaning of Section 1306.02 of Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, (1) a drug order issued pursuant to this section shall be treated in the same manner as a prescription of the supervising physician; (2) all references to “prescription” in this code and the Health and Safety Code shall include drug orders issued by nurse practitioners; and (3) the signature of a nurse practitioner on a drug order issued in accordance with this section shall be deemed to be the signature of a prescriber for purposes of this code and the Health and Safety Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 693, Sec. 8. (SB 1109) Effective January 1, 2019.)

article: 8. Nurse Practitioners


text: Furnishing or ordering of drugs or devices by nurse practitioners is defined to mean the act of making a pharmaceutical agent or agents available to the patient in strict accordance with a standardized procedure. All nurse practitioners who are authorized pursuant to Section 2836.1 to furnish or issue drug orders for controlled substances shall register with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 350, Sec. 20. (SB 943) Effective January 1, 2012.)

article: 8. Nurse Practitioners


text:
(a) The furnishing of drugs or devices by nurse practitioners is conditional on issuance by the board of a number to the nurse applicant who has successfully completed the requirements of subdivision (g) of Section 2836.1. The board may issue a furnishing number upon initial application and, if approved by the board, the applicant shall not be required to make a separate application. The number shall be included on all transmittals of orders for drugs or devices by the nurse practitioner. The board shall make the list of numbers issued available to the Board of Pharmacy. The board may charge the applicant a fee to cover all necessary costs to implement this section, that shall be not more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) for an initial application, nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for an application for renewal. The board may charge a penalty fee for failure to renew a furnishing number within the prescribed time that shall be not more than five hundred dollars ($500).

(b) The number shall be renewable at the time of the applicant’s registered nurse license renewal.

(c) The board may revoke, suspend, or deny issuance of the numbers for incompetence or gross negligence in the performance of functions specified in Sections 2836.1 and 2836.2.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 413, Sec. 18. (AB 2684) Effective January 1, 2023.)

article: 8. Nurse Practitioners


text:
Neither this chapter nor any other provision of law shall be construed to prohibit a nurse practitioner from furnishing or ordering buprenorphine when done in compliance with the provisions of the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act (Public Law 114-198), as enacted on July 22, 2016, including the following:

(a) The requirement that the nurse practitioner complete not fewer than 24 hours of initial training provided by an organization listed in sub-subclause (aa) of subclause (II) of clause (iv) of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (g) of Section 823 of Title 21 of the United States Code, or any other organization that the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services determines is appropriate for the purposes of that sub-subclause, that addresses the following:

(1) Opioid maintenance and detoxification.

(2) Appropriate clinical use of all drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

(3) Initial and periodic patient assessments, including substance use monitoring.

(4) Individualized treatment planning, overdose reversal, and relapse prevention.

(5) Counseling and recovery support services.

(6) Staffing roles and considerations.

(7) Diversion control.

(8) Other best practices, as identified by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.

(b) The alternative requirement that the nurse practitioner have other training or experience that the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services determines will demonstrate the ability of the nurse practitioner to treat and manage opiate-dependent patients.

(c) The requirement that the nurse practitioner be supervised by, or work in collaboration with, a licensed physician and surgeon.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 242, Sec. 1. (SB 554) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 8. Nurse Practitioners


text: In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in infection-associated chronic conditions, including, but not limited to, long COVID, as defined by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, myalgic encephalomyelitis, and dysautonomia.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 433, Sec. 3. (AB 3119) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 8. Nurse Practitioners


citation: BPC § 2837

text: Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit the current scope of practice of a registered nurse authorized pursuant to this chapter.

article: 8. Nurse Practitioners


text: It is the intent of the Legislature that the requirements under this article shall not be an undue or unnecessary burden to licensure or practice. The requirements are intended to ensure the new category of licensed nurse practitioners has the least restrictive amount of education, training, and testing necessary to ensure competent practice.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2020, Ch. 265, Sec. 4. (AB 890) Effective January 1, 2021.)

path: 2. HEALING ARTS > 6. Nursing > 8.5. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses


text:
For purposes of this article, the following terms have the following meanings:

(a) “Committee” means the Nurse Practitioner Advisory Committee.

(b) “Standardized procedures” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 2725.

(c) “Transition to practice” means additional clinical experience and mentorship provided to prepare a nurse practitioner to practice independently. “Transition to practice” includes, but is not limited to, managing a panel of patients, working in a complex health care setting, interpersonal communication, interpersonal collaboration and team-based care, professionalism, and business management of a practice. The board shall, by regulation, define minimum standards for transition to practice. For purposes of the transition to practice:

(1) Clinical experience shall not be limited to experience in a single category that a nurse practitioner may practice in pursuant to Section 2836.

(2) Clinical experience may include experience obtained before January 1, 2021, but clinical experience obtained before a person is certified by the board as a nurse practitioner shall not be included.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 481, Sec. 9. (SB 1451) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 8.5. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses


text:
(a) The board shall establish a Nurse Practitioner Advisory Committee to advise and make recommendations to the board on all matters relating to nurse practitioners, including, but not limited to, education, appropriate standard of care, and other matters specified by the board. The committee shall provide recommendations or guidance to the board when the board is considering disciplinary action against a nurse practitioner.

(b) The committee shall consist of four qualified nurse practitioners, two physicians and surgeons with demonstrated experience working with nurse practitioners, and one public member.


text:
(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, a nurse practitioner may perform the functions specified in subdivision (c) pursuant to that subdivision, in a setting or organization specified in paragraph (2) pursuant to that paragraph, if the nurse practitioner has successfully satisfied the following requirements:

(A) Passed a national nurse practitioner board certification examination and, if applicable, any supplemental examination developed pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 2837.105.

(B) Holds a certification as a nurse practitioner from a national certifying body accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies or the American Board of Nursing Specialties and recognized by the board.

(C) Provides documentation that educational training was consistent with standards established by the board pursuant to Section 2836 and any applicable regulations as they specifically relate to requirements for clinical practice hours. Online educational programs that do not include mandatory clinical hours shall not meet this requirement.

(D) Has completed a transition to practice in California of a minimum of three full-time equivalent years of practice or 4600 hours. A nurse practitioner who has been practicing as a nurse practitioner in direct patient care for a minimum of three full-time equivalent years or 4,600 hours within the last five years, as indicated on the application, may be deemed to have satisfied this requirement. For purposes of this subparagraph:

(i) Proof of completion of one transition to practice shall be provided to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, as an attestation from either a licensed physician and surgeon, a certified nurse practitioner practicing pursuant to this section, or a certified nurse practitioner practicing pursuant to Section 2837.104.

(ii) A licensed physician and surgeon or a certified nurse practitioner who attests to the completion of a transition to practice is not required to specialize in the same category as the applicant pursuant to Section 2836.

(iii) A licensed physician and surgeon or a certified nurse practitioner practicing pursuant to this section or Section 2837.104 who attests to the completion of a transition to practice is not required to verify competence, clinical expertise, or any other standards related to the practice of the applicant and shall only attest to the completion of the transition to practice, as defined in Section 2837.101.

(iv) A licensed physician and surgeon or a certified nurse practitioner practicing pursuant to this section or Section 2837.104 who attests to the completion of a transition to practice shall not be subject to civil, criminal, administrative, disciplinary, employment, credentialing, professional discipline, contractual liability, or medical staff action, sanction, or penalty or other liability for providing an attestation or refusing to provide an attestation pursuant to this section unless the attestation was produced fraudulently.

(2) A nurse practitioner who meets all of the requirements of paragraph (1) may practice, including, but not limited to, performing the functions authorized pursuant to subdivision (c), in one of the following settings or organizations in which one or more physicians and surgeons practice with the nurse practitioner without standardized procedures:

(A) A clinic, as defined in Section 1200 of the Health and Safety Code.

(B) A health facility, as defined in Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code, except for the following:

(i) A correctional treatment center, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (j) of Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code.

(ii) A state hospital, as defined in Section 4100 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(C) A facility described in Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 1440) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code.

(D) A medical group practice, including a professional medical corporation, as defined in Section 2406, another form of corporation controlled by physicians and surgeons, a medical partnership, a medical foundation exempt from licensure, or another lawfully organized group of physicians and surgeons that provides health care services.

(E) A home health agency, as defined in Section 1727 of the Health and Safety Code.

(F) A hospice facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 1745) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code.

(3) In health care agencies that have governing bodies, as defined in Division 5 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, including, but not limited to, Sections 70701 and 70703 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, the following apply:

(A) A nurse practitioner shall adhere to all applicable bylaws.

(B) A nurse practitioner shall be eligible to serve on medical staff and hospital committees.

(C) A nurse practitioner shall be eligible to attend meetings of the department to which the nurse practitioner is assigned. A nurse practitioner shall not vote at department, division, or other meetings unless the vote is regarding the determination of nurse practitioner privileges with the organization, peer review of nurse practitioner clinical practice, whether a licensee’s employment is in the best interest of the communities served by a hospital pursuant to Section 2401, or the vote is otherwise allowed by the applicable bylaws.

(b) An entity described in subparagraphs (A) to (F), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) shall not interfere with, control, or otherwise direct the professional judgment of a nurse practitioner functioning pursuant to this section in a manner prohibited by Section 2400 or any other law.

(c) In addition to any other practices authorized by law, a nurse practitioner who meets the requirements of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) may perform the following functions without standardized procedures in accordance with their education and training:

(1) Conduct an advanced assessment.

(2) (A) Order, perform, and interpret diagnostic procedures.

(B) For radiologic procedures, a nurse practitioner can order diagnostic procedures and utilize the findings or results in treating the patient. A nurse practitioner may perform or interpret clinical laboratory procedures that they are permitted to perform under Section 1206 and under the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA).

(3) Establish primary and differential diagnoses.

(4) Prescribe, order, administer, dispense, procure, and furnish therapeutic measures, including, but not limited to, the following:

(A) Diagnose, prescribe, and institute therapy or referrals of patients to health care agencies, health care providers, and community resources.

(B) Prescribe, administer, dispense, and furnish pharmacological agents, including over-the-counter, legend, and controlled substances.

(C) Plan and initiate a therapeutic regimen that includes ordering and prescribing nonpharmacological interventions, including, but not limited to, durable medical equipment, medical devices, nutrition, blood and blood products, and diagnostic and supportive services, including, but not limited to, home health care, hospice, and physical and occupational therapy.

(5) After performing a physical examination, certify disability pursuant to Section 2708 of the Unemployment Insurance Code.

(6) Delegate tasks to a medical assistant pursuant to Sections 1206.5, 2069, 2070, and 2071, and Article 2 (commencing with Section 1366) of Chapter 3 of Division 13 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.

(d) A nurse practitioner practicing under this section and not working under standardized procedures shall inform all new patients in a language understandable to the patient that a nurse practitioner is not a physician and surgeon.

(e) A nurse practitioner shall not be required to tell a patient the patient has a right to see a physician and surgeon.

(f) A nurse practitioner practicing under this section and not working under standardized procedures shall post a notice in a conspicuous location accessible to public view that the nurse practitioner is regulated by the Board of Registered Nursing. The notice shall include the board’s telephone number and the internet website where the nurse practitioner’s license may be checked and complaints against the nurse practitioner may be made.

(g) A nurse practitioner shall refer a patient to a physician and surgeon or other licensed health care provider if a situation or condition of a patient is beyond the scope of the education and training of the nurse practitioner.

(h) A nurse practitioner practicing under this section shall have professional liability insurance appropriate for the practice setting.

(i) Any health care setting operated by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is exempt from this section.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 481, Sec. 10. (SB 1451) Effective January 1, 2025.)


text:
(a) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 2837.103, the authority for a nurse practitioner to prescribe, order, dispense, procure, and furnish pharmacological agents pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) of Section 2837.103 is conditional on all of the following:

(1) The issuance of a furnishing number by the board pursuant to Section 2836.3.

(2) If prescribing, ordering, dispensing, procuring, or furnishing controlled substances, registration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

(3) If prescribing, ordering, dispensing, procuring, or furnishing Schedule II controlled substances, as part of their continuing education requirements, completion of a course including Schedule II controlled substances, and the risks of addiction associated with their use, based on the standards developed by the board. The board shall establish the requirements for satisfactory completion of this paragraph.

(b) This section shall not be construed to require a nurse practitioner practicing pursuant to Sections 2837.103 or 2837.104 to practice under standardized procedures or physician supervision.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 413, Sec. 19. (AB 2684) Effective January 1, 2023.)


text:
(a) Beginning January 1, 2023, notwithstanding any other law, the following apply to a nurse practitioner who holds an active certification issued by the board pursuant to subdivision (b):

(1) The nurse practitioner may perform the functions specified in subdivision (c) of Section 2837.103 pursuant to that subdivision outside of the settings or organizations specified under subparagraphs (A) to (F), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 2837.103.

(2) Subject to subdivision (g) and any applicable conflict of interest policies of the bylaws, the nurse practitioner shall be eligible for membership of an organized medical staff.

(3) Subject to subdivision (g) and any applicable conflict of interest policies of the bylaws, a nurse practitioner member may vote at meetings of the department to which nurse practitioners are assigned.

(b) The board shall issue a certificate to perform the functions specified in subdivision (c) of Section 2837.103 pursuant to that subdivision outside of the settings and organizations specified under subparagraphs (A) to (F), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 2837.103, if the nurse practitioner satisfies all of the following requirements:

(1) Meets all of the requirements specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 2837.103.

(2) Holds a valid and active license as a registered nurse in California and a master’s degree in nursing or in a clinical field related to nursing or a doctoral degree in nursing.

(3) Has practiced as a nurse practitioner in good standing for at least three years, not inclusive of the transition to practice required pursuant to subparagraph (D) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 2837.103. The board may, at its discretion, lower this requirement for a nurse practitioner holding a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree (DNP) based on practice experience gained in the course of doctoral education experience.

(c) A nurse practitioner authorized to practice pursuant to this section shall comply with all of the following:

(1) The nurse practitioner, consistent with applicable standards of care, shall not practice beyond the scope of their clinical and professional education and training, including specific areas of concentration and shall only practice within the limits of their knowledge and experience and national certification.

(2) The nurse practitioner shall consult and collaborate with other healing arts providers based on the clinical condition of the patient to whom health care is provided. Physician consultation shall be obtained as specified in the individual protocols and under the following circumstances:

(A) Emergent conditions requiring prompt medical intervention after initial stabilizing care has been started.

(B) Problem which is not resolving as anticipated after an ongoing evaluation and management of the situation.

(C) History, physical, or lab findings inconsistent with the clinical perspective.

(D) Upon request of patient.

(3) Nurse practitioner consultation with a physician and surgeon alone shall not create a physician-patient relationship. The nurse practitioner shall be solely responsible for the services they provide.

(4) The nurse practitioner shall establish a plan for referral of complex medical cases and emergencies to a physician and surgeon or other appropriate healing arts providers. The nurse practitioner shall have an identified referral plan specific to the practice area, that includes specific referral criteria. The referral plan shall address the following:

(A) Whenever situations arise which go beyond the competence, scope of practice, or experience of the nurse practitioner.

(B) Whenever patient conditions fail to respond or the patient is acutely decompensating in a manner that is not consistent with the progression of the disease and corresponding treatment plan.

(C) Any patient with a rare condition.

(D) Any patient conditions that do not fit the commonly accepted diagnostic pattern for a disease or disorder.

(E) All emergency situations after initial stabilizing care has been started.

(d) A nurse practitioner practicing under this section and not working under standardized procedures shall inform all new patients in a language understandable to the patient that a nurse practitioner is not a physician and surgeon.

(e) A nurse practitioner practicing under this section and not working under standardized procedures shall not be required by the board to tell a patient that the patient has a right to see a physician and surgeon.

(f) A nurse practitioner practicing under this section and not working under standardized procedures shall post a notice in a conspicuous location accessible to public view that the nurse practitioner is regulated by the Board of Registered Nursing. The notice shall include the board’s telephone number and internet website where the nurse practitioner’s license may be checked and complaints against the nurse practitioner may be made.

(g) A nurse practitioner practicing pursuant to this section shall maintain professional liability insurance appropriate for the practice setting.

(h) For purposes of this section, corporations and other artificial legal entities shall have no professional rights, privileges, or powers.

(i) Subdivision (h) shall not apply to a nurse practitioner if either of the following applies:

(1) The certificate issued pursuant to this section is inactive, surrendered, revoked, or otherwise restricted by the board.

(2) The nurse practitioner is employed pursuant to the exemptions under Section 2401.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 481, Sec. 11. (SB 1451) Effective January 1, 2025.)