Nursing is a Professional Degree Act
Sponsored By: Representative Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
Introduced
Summary
Redefines what counts as a "professional degree" under the Higher Education Act. This bill would replace a CFR-based reference with a new statutory definition that lists specific degrees and ties the term to completion of practice-ready academic requirements and skill beyond a bachelor's degree.
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- Students in nursing and other licensed fields get clearer recognition because nursing degrees are explicitly listed, including MSN, DNP, DNAP, and Ph.D. nursing credentials.
- Colleges and graduate programs would use the statute's list to classify which programs meet the law's professional degree standard instead of relying on an older regulatory citation.
- People entering regulated professions see alignment between degrees and licensure because the definition requires a degree to signify readiness for beginning practice and higher professional skill than a bachelor's.
- The Secretary of Education can add other degrees that meet the statutory criteria, creating a mechanism to include professions not named in the list.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Graduate nursing degrees would qualify
If enacted, the bill would change the Higher Education Act to define "professional degree." The new test would require a degree to prepare you to begin licensed practice and to show more skill than a bachelor’s degree. The bill would explicitly list qualifying degrees, including nursing degrees: MSN, DNP, DNAP, and Ph.D. in nursing. The Secretary of Education would be able to decide that other degrees meet the same test. The bill would remove the current cross-reference to the federal regulation and would take effect upon enactment. If enacted, this would change whether some students are treated as holding a "professional degree" for federal student aid and loan rules.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
OH • D
Sponsored 5/4/2026
Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]
MI • R
Sponsored 5/4/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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