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119-hr-8691119th CongressWALLET

Nursing is a Professional Degree Act

Sponsored By: Representative Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would revise the Higher Education Act to explicitly define which credentials count as a _professional degree_, and it would name nursing graduate degrees as professional degrees. It removes the old cross-reference to the Code of Federal Regulations and replaces it with a two-part definition. The first part says a professional degree shows completion of academic requirements for beginning practice in a profession that commonly requires licensure and goes beyond a bachelor's degree. The second part lists specific degrees that qualify, including nursing degrees (MSN, DNP, DNAP, or Ph.D.), and lets the Secretary add other degrees that meet the definition. No funding changes, phase-ins, or sunsets are specified.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Nursing degrees treated as professional

If enacted, the bill would change the Higher Education Act definition of “professional degree.” The new definition would require a degree to show completion of training for beginning licensed practice. It would also require a level of professional skill beyond a bachelor’s degree. The proposal would explicitly list qualifying degrees, including Nursing degrees (MSN, DNP, DNAP, and Ph.D.). The Secretary of Education would be able to decide that other degrees also meet the test. If enacted, this would make it clearer for nursing students, institutions, and federal student loan programs which credentials count.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

VA • R

Cosponsors

  • Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]

    MP • R

    Sponsored 10/6/2026

  • Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]

    WA • R

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

  • Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

  • Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

  • Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

  • Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 6/4/2026

  • Rep. Kiley, Kevin [I-CA-3]

    CA • I

    Sponsored 6/4/2026

  • Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 6/18/2026

  • Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/30/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 6/30/2026

  • Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 7/9/2026

  • Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 7/9/2026

  • Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

  • Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 8/3/2026

  • Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 8/20/2026

  • Rep. Downing, Troy [R-MT-2]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 9/1/2026

  • Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 9/15/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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