Title 18 — Title 18 BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS

It is the purpose of the state board of nursing to regulate the competency and quality of professional health care providers under its jurisdiction by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing qualifications for licensing, consistent standards of practice, continuing competency mec…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2339-S.SL) ***Unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, the definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter.(1) "Board" means the Washington state board of nursing.(2) "Department" means the department of health…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2339-S.SL) ****** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2155.SL) ***(1) It is unlawful for a person to practice or to offer to practice as a registered nurse in this state unless that person has been licensed under this chapter or holds a valid multistate license un…

(1) "Registered nursing practice" means the performance of acts requiring substantial specialized knowledge, judgment, and skill based on the principles of the biological, physiological, behavioral, and sociological sciences in either:(a) The observation, assessment, diagnosis, c…

"Advanced registered nursing practice" means the performance of the acts of a registered nurse and the performance of an expanded role in providing health care services as recognized by the medical and nursing professions, the scope of which is defined by rule by the board. Upon …

"Licensed practical nursing practice" means the performance of services requiring the knowledge, skill, and judgment necessary for carrying out selected aspects of the designated nursing regimen under the direction and supervision of a licensed physician and surgeon, dentist, ost…

(1) The state ((nursing care quality assurance commission))board of nursing is established, consisting of fifteen members to be appointed by the governor to four-year terms. The governor shall consider nursing members who are recommended for appointment by the appropriate profess…

The governor may remove a member of the board for neglect of duty, misconduct, malfeasance or misfeasance in office, or for incompetency or unprofessional conduct as defined in chapter 18.130 RCW. Whenever the governor is satisfied that a member of the board has been guilty of ne…

Each board member shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.265 and shall be paid travel expenses when away from home in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.[ 2025 c 58 s 5008; 1999 c 366 s 5; 1994 sp.s. c 9 s 409.]Notes:Explanatory note—2025 c 58: See note follow…

The board shall annually elect officers from among its members. The board shall meet at least quarterly at times and places it designates. It shall hold such other meetings during the year as may be deemed necessary to transact its business. A majority of the board members appoin…

(1) The board shall keep a record of all of its proceedings and make such reports to the governor as may be required. The board shall define by rules what constitutes specialized and advanced levels of nursing practice as recognized by the medical and nursing profession. The boar…

The Uniform Disciplinary Act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs unlicensed practice, the issuance and denial of licenses, and the discipline of licensees under this chapter.[ 1994 sp.s. c 9 s 412.]

The executive director must be a graduate of a college or university, with a masters' degree.[ 2022 c 240 s 33; 1994 sp.s. c 9 s 414.]

An institution desiring to conduct a school of registered nursing or a school or program of practical nursing, or both, shall apply to the board and submit evidence satisfactory to the board that:(1) It is prepared to carry out the curriculum approved by the board for basic regis…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2339-S.SL) ***(1) An applicant for a license to practice as a registered nurse shall submit to the board:(a) An attested written application on a department form;(b) An official transcript demonstrating graduation and successful completion of an approv…

An applicant for a license to practice as a registered nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or licensed practical nurse must pass an examination in subjects determined by the board. The examination may be supplemented by an oral or practical examination. The board shall…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2339-S.SL) ***When authorized by the board, the department shall issue an interim permit authorizing the applicant to practice registered nursing, advanced registered nursing, or licensed practical nursing, as appropriate, from the time of verification…

Upon approval of the application by the board, the department shall issue a license by endorsement without examination to practice as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical nurse to a person who is licensed as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse under the laws o…

An applicant for a license to practice as a registered nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or licensed practical nurse shall comply with administrative procedures, administrative requirements, and fees as determined under RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280.[ 1996 c 191 s 62; …

(1) In addition to the licensing fee for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses licensed under this chapter and for nurses who hold a valid multistate license issued by the state of Washington under chapter 18.80 RCW, the department shall impose an additional surcharge o…

A license issued under this chapter must be renewed, except as provided in this chapter. The licensee shall comply with administrative procedures, administrative requirements, and fees as determined under RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280.[ 1996 c 191 s 63; 1994 sp.s. c 9 s 421.]

A person licensed under this chapter who desires to retire temporarily from registered nursing practice, advanced registered nursing practice, or licensed practical nursing practice in this state shall send a written notice to the secretary.Upon receipt of the notice the departme…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2339-S.SL) ***(1) In the context of the definition of registered nursing practice and advanced registered nursing practice, this chapter shall not be construed as:(a) Prohibiting the incidental care of the sick by domestic servants or persons primarily…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2339-S.SL) ***An advanced registered nurse practitioner under his or her license may perform for compensation nursing care, as that term is usually understood, of the ill, injured, or infirm, and in the course thereof, she or he may do the following th…

An advanced registered nurse practitioner may sign and attest to any certificates, cards, forms, or other required documentation that a physician may sign, so long as it is within the advanced registered nurse practitioner's scope of practice.[ 2015 c 104 s 1.] An advanced practi…

(1) A registered nurse under his or her license may perform for compensation nursing care, as that term is usually understood, to individuals with illnesses, injuries, or disabilities.(2) A registered nurse may, at or under the general direction of a licensed physician and surgeo…

A licensed practical nurse under his or her license may perform nursing care, as that term is usually understood, of the ill, injured, or infirm, and in the course thereof may, under the direction of a licensed physician and surgeon, osteopathic physician and surgeon, dentist, na…

It is not a violation of chapter 18.71 RCW or of chapter 18.57 RCW for a registered nurse, at or under the general direction of a licensed physician and surgeon, or osteopathic physician and surgeon, to administer prescribed drugs, injections, inoculations, tests, or treatment wh…

(1) In accordance with rules adopted by the board, public school districts and private schools that offer classes for any of grades kindergarten through twelve may provide for clean, intermittent bladder catheterization of students or assisted self-catheterization of students who…

The department, subject to chapter 34.05 RCW, the Washington Administrative Procedure Act, may adopt such reasonable rules as may be necessary to carry out the duties imposed upon it in the administration of this chapter.[ 1994 sp.s. c 9 s 430.]

As of July 1, 1994, all rules, regulations, decisions, and orders of the board of nursing under *chapter 18.88 RCW or the board of practical nursing under *chapter 18.78 RCW continue to be in effect under the board, until the board acts to modify the rules, regulations, decisions…

The legislature finds a need to provide additional work-related opportunities for nursing students. Nursing students enrolled in bachelor of science programs or associate degree programs, working within the limits of their education, gain valuable judgment and knowledge through e…

(1) "Nursing technician" means a nursing student employed in a hospital licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW, a clinic, or a nursing home licensed under chapter 18.51 RCW, who:(a) Is currently enrolled in good standing in a nursing program approved by the board and has not graduated;…

(1) Nursing technicians are authorized to perform specific nursing functions within the limits of their education, up to their skill and knowledge, but they may not:(a) Administer chemotherapy, blood or blood products, intravenous medications, or scheduled drugs, or carry out pro…

(1) Applications for registration must be submitted on forms provided by the secretary. The secretary may require any information and documentation that reasonably relates to the need to determine whether the applicant meets the criteria for registration provided for in chapter 1…

The secretary shall establish by rule the procedural requirements and fees for renewal of the registration. Failure to renew invalidates the registration and all privileges granted by the registration. For renewal of registration, a nursing technician must attest that he or she c…

(1) The secretary shall employ an executive director that is:(a) Hired by and serves at the pleasure of the board;(b) Exempt from the provisions of the civil service law, chapter 41.06 RCW and whose salary is established by the board in accordance with RCW 43.03.028; and(c) Respo…

(1) By June 30, 2011, the board shall adopt new rules on chronic, noncancer pain management that contain the following elements:(a)(i) Dosing criteria, including:(A) A dosage amount that must not be exceeded unless an advanced registered nurse practitioner or certified registered…

In addition to the authority provided in RCW 42.52.804, the board, its members, or staff as directed by the board, may communicate, present information requested, volunteer information, testify before legislative committees, and educate the legislature, as the board may from time…

A nurse who provides a parent with a positive prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of Down syndrome shall provide the parent with the information prepared by the department under RCW 43.70.738 at the time the nurse provides the parent with the Down syndrome diagnosis.[ 2016 c 70 s 7.]

(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the legislature intends to expand the student nurse preceptor grant program to help reduce the shortage of health care training settings for students and increase the numbers of nurses in the workf…

(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the board, in collaboration with rural hospitals, relevant employer and exclusive bargaining unit partnerships, nursing assistant-certified training programs, the department of health, and the depa…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2340.SL) ***(1) The department or board may not post information regarding an enforcement action taken by the board against a person licensed under this chapter, including any supporting documents or indication that the enforcement action was taken, on…

A person seeking to practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in this state may choose to apply for a license issued under this chapter or a multistate license issued under chapter 18.80 RCW.[ 2023 c 123 s 15.]Notes:Short title—2023 c 123: See RCW 18.80.900.

(1) In screening applicants to obtain or retain a multistate license under RCW 18.80.020, the board shall:(a) Obtain fingerprints from each applicant for a multistate license;(b) Submit the fingerprints through the state patrol to the federal bureau of investigation for a nationa…

The board shall publish on its website:(1) All rules and requirements associated with the passage of the interstate nurse licensure compact, chapter 18.80 RCW;(2) An annually updated summary of the key differences in each state's nursing practice act; and(3) All meeting details, …

The board may adopt rules to implement chapter 123, Laws of 2023.[ 2023 c 123 s 13.]Notes:Short title—2023 c 123: See RCW 18.80.900.

Subject to amounts appropriated specifically for this purpose, the Washington state board of nursing shall develop and manage a grant process for the purposes of providing incentives to certified registered nurse anesthetists to precept nurse anesthesia residents in health care s…

(1) The University of Washington center for health workforce studies, in collaboration with the Washington state board of nursing, the Washington medical commission, and the department of health, shall study the workforce shortages in anesthesia care in each facility providing an…

(1) By January 1, 2019, the board must adopt rules establishing requirements for prescribing opioid drugs. The rules may contain exemptions based on education, training, amount of opioids prescribed, patient panel, and practice environment.(2) In developing the rules, the board m…