Title 52, Occupations and Professions

As used in ORS 678.010 to 678.415: (1) “Advanced Practice Registered Nurse” means a: (a) Clinical nurse specialist; (b) Nurse practitioner; or (c) Certified registered nurse anesthetist. (2) “Certified registered nurse anesthetist” means a registered nurse who has been licensed b…

Except as provided in ORS 676.347, it is unlawful for any person to practice nursing or offer to practice nursing in this state or to use any title or abbreviation, sign, card or device to indicate the person is practicing either practical or registered nursing unless the person …

An individual may not use the title “nurse” unless the individual: (1) Has earned a nursing degree or a nursing certificate from a nursing education program that is: (a) Approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing; or (b) Accredited or approved by another state or United States…

An individual may not use the title “Advanced Practice Registered Nurse” or the abbreviation “APRN” unless the individual is: (1) A clinical nurse specialist; (2) A nurse practitioner; or (3) A certified registered nurse anesthetist. [2015 c.452 §2; 2023 c.346 §4]

A nonhuman entity, including but not limited to an agent powered by artificial intelligence, may not use any of the following titles: (1) Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or the abbreviation APRN; (2) Certified registered nurse anesthetist or the abbreviation CRNA; (3) Clinical…

ORS 678.010 to 678.415 do not apply to: (1) The employment of nurses in institutions or agencies of the federal government. (2) The practice of nursing incidental to the planned program of study for students enrolled in nursing education programs approved by the Oregon State Boar…

(1) An entity that employs a nurse described under ORS 678.031 (7) shall notify the Oregon State Board of Nursing in writing of the number of nurses so employed and the time of employment and shall certify that there is no labor dispute affecting nurses at the entity. In addition…

(1) A nurse who is responsible for supervising nursing assistants shall not be considered to be supervising a nursing assistant who administers medication while the nurse is absent from the facility at which the administration occurs unless the nursing assistant is acting pursuan…

A registered nurse who is employed by a public or private school, or by an education service district or a local public health authority as defined in ORS 431.003 to provide nursing services at a public or private school, may accept an order from a health care provider, as define…

A registered nurse who is employed by or contracted with a long term care facility or an in-home care agency, as defined in ORS 443.305, may execute a medical order from a health care provider, as defined by the Oregon State Board of Nursing by rule, licensed to practice in anoth…

An applicant for a license under ORS 678.010 to 678.448 shall provide to the Oregon State Board of Nursing satisfactory evidence that the applicant’s physical and mental health is such that it is safe for the applicant to practice, and that: (1) The applicant has graduated: (a) F…

(1) Examinations for the licensing of applicants under ORS 678.010 to 678.448 must be held at least once a year. An applicant must pass an examination in subjects relating to nursing at the practical or registered level as the Oregon State Board of Nursing may determine necessary…

(1) The Oregon State Board of Nursing may issue a nurse emeritus license to an applicant who: (a) Is a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, licensed practical nurse, nurse practitioner or registered nurse; (b) Has been granted retired status by the b…

A person to whom a license is issued under ORS 678.010 to 678.448, whenever requested to do so in relation to employment as a registered or practical nurse or nurse intern or in relation to enforcement of ORS 678.010 to 678.448, shall provide evidence of current licensure. [Amend…

(1) A person licensed to practice nursing, including as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, shall apply to the Oregon State Board of Nursing for renewal of the license every second year. (2) Each application must be accompanied by a renewal fee payable to the board. The renewa…

In the manner prescribed in ORS chapter 183 for a contested case, and except as provided in ORS 678.138, the Oregon State Board of Nursing may revoke, suspend, deny or impose conditions on a license issued by the board, or on an inactive or retired status granted by the board, an…

Persons licensed or certified by the Oregon State Board of Nursing who elect not to participate in the impaired health professional program established under ORS 676.190 or who fail to comply with the terms of participation shall be reported by the program to the board for formal…

(1) During the course of an investigation into the performance or conduct of an applicant, certificate holder or licensee, the Oregon State Board of Nursing may order mental health, physical condition or substance use disorder evaluations of the applicant, certificate holder or l…

(1) The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall adopt by rule a schedule establishing the amount of civil penalty that may be imposed for any violation of ORS 678.010 to 678.448 or any rule of the board. No civil penalty shall exceed $5,000. (2) In imposing a penalty pursuant to this…

It shall be unlawful for any person: (1) To sell or fraudulently obtain or furnish any diploma or license or record thereof for any person not graduated from a nursing education program described under ORS 678.040 or is not licensed under ORS 678.010 to 678.415 or to sell or frau…

(1) Any information that the Oregon State Board of Nursing obtains pursuant to ORS 678.021, 678.111, 678.113, 678.123, 678.135 or 678.442 is confidential as provided under ORS 676.175. (2) Upon receipt of a complaint under ORS 678.010 to 678.415 or 678.442, the Oregon State Board…

(1) Members of the Oregon State Board of Nursing, members of its administrative and investigative staff and its attorneys acting as prosecutors or counsel shall have the same privileges and immunities from civil and criminal proceedings arising by reason of official actions as pr…

(1) Unless state or federal laws relating to confidentiality or the protection of health information prohibit disclosure, any health care facility licensed as required by ORS 441.015, or any person licensed by the Oregon State Board of Nursing, shall report to the board any suspe…

The Oregon State Board of Nursing may not suspend or revoke a person’s license or refuse to grant a license to a person, because of a conviction or disciplinary action by another state resulting solely from the person’s provision of a reproductive or gender-affirming health care …

(1) There is created an Oregon State Board of Nursing composed of nine members appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate in the manner provided in ORS 171.562 and 171.565. All members of the board must be residents of this state. Of the members of the bo…

(1) The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall elect annually from its number a president, a president-elect and a secretary, each of whom shall serve until a successor is elected and qualified. The board shall meet on the call of the president or as the board may require. Special m…

The Department of Human Services, the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon State Board of Nursing shall enter into an interagency agreement to share the results of nationwide criminal records checks conducted under ORS 181A.195 on subject individuals who are subject to criminal…

The lapse, suspension or revocation of a license or certificate by the operation of law or by order of the Oregon State Board of Nursing or by the decision of a court of law, or the voluntary surrender of a license by a licensee or of a certificate by a certificate holder, shall …

(1) Upon suit by the Oregon State Board of Nursing for which no bond shall be required, the circuit courts have jurisdiction to restrain or enjoin any violation or threatened violation of ORS 678.010 to 678.415. Such suit may be brought against a person who practices nursing with…

(1) All moneys received by the Oregon State Board of Nursing under ORS 678.010 to 678.448 shall be paid into the General Fund in the State Treasury and placed to the credit of the Oregon State Board of Nursing Account. Such moneys are appropriated continuously to the board and sh…

(1) The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall issue a license to practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist to a licensed registered nurse who applies to the board and meets the requirements adopted by the board by rule under ORS 678.285. (2) Unless a person is licensed u…

(1)(a) Subject to paragraph (b) of this subsection, the Oregon State Board of Nursing may authorize a certified registered nurse anesthetist to prescribe prescription drugs, including prescriptions for controlled substances listed in Schedules II, III, III N, IV and V. (b) A cert…

The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall adopt rules necessary to establish: (1) The scope of practice of a certified registered nurse anesthetist that include, but are not limited to, the authority to prescribe prescription drugs if the certified registered nurse anesthetist is a…

(1) Any institution desiring to establish a nursing education program leading to licensing shall apply to the Oregon State Board of Nursing and submit satisfactory evidence that the institution is prepared to meet the curricula and standards prescribed by the board. (2) In consid…

(1) As determined necessary by the Oregon State Board of Nursing, the board shall survey the institutions approved to provide nursing education programs. (2) An institution shall submit to the board a written report that includes an evaluation of physical facilities, clinical res…

(1) As used in this section: (a) “Circulating nurse” means a registered nurse who is responsible for coordinating the nursing care and safety needs of the patient in the operating room and who also meets the needs of operating room team members during surgery. (b) “Ambulatory sur…

The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall adopt rules establishing procedures for the recognition of registered nurses who become registered nurse first assistants by receiving additional certification through nationally recognized professional organizations. [2005 c.628 §5] (Clini…

(1) The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall issue a license to act as a clinical nurse specialist to any licensed registered nurse who meets the requirements established by the board pursuant to ORS 678.372. (2) A person may not act as a clinical nurse specialist, use the name, t…

The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall adopt rules to implement ORS 678.370, including but not limited to rules establishing: (1) Procedures and requirements for initial issuance and continuation of licensure to act as a clinical nurse specialist, including but not limited to ed…

(1) The Oregon State Board of Nursing is authorized to issue licenses to licensed registered nurses to practice as nurse practitioners if they meet the requirements of the board pursuant to ORS 678.380. (2) A person may not practice as a nurse practitioner or hold oneself out to …

The Oregon State Board of Nursing may adopt rules regarding nurse practitioners that: (1) Establish the education, training and qualifications necessary for licensure. (2) Limit or restrict practice. (3) Establish categories and define the scope of nurse practitioner practice. (4…

(1) The Oregon State Board of Nursing may authorize a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist to write prescriptions, including prescriptions for controlled substances listed in schedules II through V. (2) A nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist may submit an ap…

(1) The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall issue a nurse internship license to an applicant who: (a) Is a student who is enrolled in and has successfully completed at least one academic term of a nursing education program that: (A) Is approved by the board or accredited or appro…

(1) A nurse intern may receive academic credit in addition to monetary compensation for work as a nurse intern. (2) The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall allow for and encourage participation by individuals practicing as certified nursing assistants, licensed professional nurse…

(1) A nurse intern may: (a) Perform specific nursing functions within the limits of the nurse intern’s nursing education program; (b) Practice nursing only under the direct supervision of a registered nurse who has agreed to act as the nurse intern’s supervisor under ORS 678.398;…

(1) A registered nurse who is responsible for the supervision of a nurse intern: (a) Is accountable at all times for the safety and well-being of patients to whom the nurse intern provides care; (b) Shall maintain an awareness of the nursing tasks and functions performed by the n…

In addition to the grounds listed in ORS 678.111, the Oregon State Board of Nursing may revoke or suspend a nurse internship license issued under ORS 678.392 if the nurse intern is not in good academic standing, as determined by the board. [2022 c.38 §6] (Fees)

(1) The Oregon State Board of Nursing may establish and collect fees necessary to carry out the provisions of ORS 678.010 to 678.448. (2) Fees are refundable at the discretion of the board. (3)(a) The board shall obtain approval from the Oregon Department of Administrative Servic…

(1) The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall impose an additional $9 fee for each examination fee, each license by endorsement fee and each license renewal fee charged under ORS 678.410 for a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse for the purposes specified in subsection (…

(1) The Oregon Nursing Advancement Fund is established separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Oregon Nursing Advancement Fund shall be credited to the fund. Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon State Board of Nursing to be us…