Oregon Revised Statutes
As used in ORS 678.010 to 678.415: “Advanced Practice Registered Nurse” means a: Clinical nurse specialist; Nurse practitioner; or Certified registered nurse anesthetist. “Certified registered nurse anesthetist” means a registered nurse who has been licensed by the Oregon State Board of Nursing as a certified registered nurse anesthetist. “Clinical nur…
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 is licensed under ORS 678.010 to 678.415 at the level for which the indication o…
An individual may not use the title “nurse” unless the individual: Has earned a nursing degree or a nursing certificate from a nursing education program that is: Approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing; or Accredited or approved by another state or United States territory as described under ORS 678.040 and approved by the board; and Is licensed by …
An individual may not use the title “Advanced Practice Registered Nurse” or the abbreviation “APRN” unless the individual is: A clinical nurse specialist; A nurse practitioner; or A certified registered nurse anesthetist.
A nonhuman entity, including but not limited to an agent powered by artificial intelligence, may not use any of the following titles: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or the abbreviation APRN; Certified registered nurse anesthetist or the abbreviation CRNA; Clinical nurse specialist or the abbreviation CNS; Licensed practical nurse or the abbreviation …
ORS 678.010 to 678.415 do not apply to: The employment of nurses in institutions or agencies of the federal government. The practice of nursing incidental to the planned program of study for students enrolled in nursing education programs approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing or accredited or approved by another state or United States territory as …
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, at the request of the board, the entity shall provide documentation that the nurse…
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 pursuant to specific instructions from the nurse or the nurse fails to leave instructions w…
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 defined by the Oregon State Board of Nursing by rule, licensed to practice in another …
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 another state or territory of the United States if: The order is related to the care…
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: The applicant has graduated: From a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse nursing education program approved …
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 to protect the public health and welfare. The board shall issue to all duly qualif…
The Oregon State Board of Nursing may issue a nurse emeritus license to an applicant who: Is a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, licensed practical nurse, nurse practitioner or registered nurse; Has been granted retired status by the board as described in ORS 678.050; and Pays the license fee as established by rule of the …
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.
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. Each application must be accompanied by a renewal fee payable to the board. The renewal fee is refundable at the discretion of the board. The board may not renew the licens…
(Discipline of Nurses)
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, and reprimand or place on probation, subject to terms imposed by the board, a pers…
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 disciplinary action under ORS 678.111.
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 licensee upon reasonable belief that the applicant, certificate holder or licensee is…
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. In imposing a penalty pursuant to this section, the board shall consider the following factors: The past history of the pers…
It shall be unlawful for any person: 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 fraudulently obtain or furnish any certificate to a person not certified as a nursing a…
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. Upon receipt of a complaint under ORS 678.010 to 678.415 or 678.442, the Oregon State Board of Nursing shall conduct an investigation as described under ORS 676.165. Any person,…
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 prosecuting and judicial officers of the state. No person who has made a complaint as…
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 suspected violation of ORS 678.010 to 678.415 or any rule adopted by the board. Unless s…
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 service that is otherwise lawful in this state but unlawful in the jurisdiction …
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 board: Five must be registered nurses; One must be a licensed practical nurse; One …
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 meetings of the board may be called by the secretary upon the request of any three me…
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 records checks by the department, the authority and the board. Note: 678.153 w…
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 not deprive the board of jurisdiction to proceed with any investigation of or an…
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 without a current license or who practices registered nursing when licensed as a practic…
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 shall be used only for the administration and enforcement of ORS 676.850, 676.860 and …
(Nurse Anesthetists)
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. Unless a person is licensed under subsection (1) of this section, a person may not: Practice as a certified registe…
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. A certified registered nurse anesthetist may prescribe prescription drugs under paragraph (a) of…
The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall adopt rules necessary to establish: 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 authorized under ORS 678.282; Procedures for licensing a certified registered nurse…
(Nursing Education Programs)
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. In considering applications under subsection (1) of this section the board shall review: Statew…
As determined necessary by the Oregon State Board of Nursing, the board shall survey the institutions approved to provide nursing education programs. An institution shall submit to the board a written report that includes an evaluation of physical facilities, clinical resources, courses of study and qualifications of instructors. If the board determines an…
As used in this section: “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. “Ambulatory surgical center” has the meaning given that term in ORS 442.015. The duties of a circulating…
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. (Clinical Nurse Specialists)
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. A person may not act as a clinical nurse specialist, use the name, title, designation, initial or abbreviation of clinical nurse specialist or otherwise ho…
The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall adopt rules to implement ORS 678.370, including but not limited to rules establishing: Procedures and requirements for initial issuance and continuation of licensure to act as a clinical nurse specialist, including but not limited to educational requirements; The scope of practice of clinical nurse specialists, inclu…
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. A person may not practice as a nurse practitioner or hold oneself out to the public or to an employer, or use the initials, name, title, designation or abbrevia…
The Oregon State Board of Nursing may adopt rules regarding nurse practitioners that: Establish the education, training and qualifications necessary for licensure. Limit or restrict practice. Establish categories and define the scope of nurse practitioner practice. Establish procedures for maintaining licensure, including continuing education and procedu…
(Prescriptive Authority)
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. A nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist may submit an application to the Oregon State Board of Nursing to dispense prescription drugs. An appl…
The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall issue a nurse internship license to an applicant who: Is a student who is enrolled in and has successfully completed at least one academic term of a nursing education program that: Is approved by the board or accredited or approved by another state or United States territory as described under ORS 678.040 and approve…
A nurse intern may receive academic credit in addition to monetary compensation for work as a nurse intern. The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall allow for and encourage participation by individuals practicing as certified nursing assistants, licensed professional nurses or medical assistants in the nurse internship licensure program, both while an indivi…
A nurse intern may: Perform specific nursing functions within the limits of the nurse intern’s nursing education program; 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; Gather information about and administer care to patients; and Participate in all aspect…
A registered nurse who is responsible for the supervision of a nurse intern: Is accountable at all times for the safety and well-being of patients to whom the nurse intern provides care; Shall maintain an awareness of the nursing tasks and functions performed by the nurse intern; Shall be immediately available to the nurse intern through methods determine…
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. (Fees)
The Oregon State Board of Nursing may establish and collect fees necessary to carry out the provisions of ORS 678.010 to 678.448. Fees are refundable at the discretion of the board. The board shall obtain approval from the Oregon Department of Administrative Services prior to establishing fees under this section. A fee established and collected under this…
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 (2) of this section. The additional fees imposed on examination fees, license by end…
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 used as specified in subsection (2) of this section. The principal amount accrued in …
There is declared a nursing workforce and nursing faculty shortage in Oregon. The declaration of the nursing workforce shortage shall remain in effect until the Governor suspends the declaration by executive action. Note: 678.420 and 678.425 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 678 or any seri…
The Oregon Center for Nursing and the Oregon Healthcare Workforce Institute may serve in advisory capacities to the State Workforce and Talent Development Board, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission and other related entities. The Oregon Center for Nursing may advise on education and workforce development issues affecting nursing. The Oregon Healthca…
The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall support an Oregon nonprofit organization, exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, that promotes the well-being of Oregon health professionals through education, coordinated regional counseling, telemedicine services and research, in order to allow nurses authorized to practice in Oreg…
As used in ORS 678.440 to 678.448: “Medication aide” means a nursing assistant who has additional training and qualifications, as determined by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. “Nursing assistant” means an individual who assists licensed nursing personnel in the provision of nursing care. It is the intent of the Legislative Assembly to require that nurs…
The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall establish standards for certifying and may certify as a nursing assistant any person who: Submits an application; Shows completion of an approved training program for nursing assistants; Has military training or experience that the board determines is substantially equivalent to the training required by subparagraph…
The Oregon State Board of Nursing shall establish standards for training programs for nursing assistants. An institution may apply to the board for approval of a nursing assistant training program. Upon receipt of an application, the board shall review and may approve programs that meet board standards. The board may, at intervals determined by the board, s…
It is the intent of the Legislative Assembly that the Oregon State Board of Nursing adopt by rule standards that allow a nursing assistant in a long term care facility to administer noninjectable medication under the direct supervision of or as assigned by a nurse. If a nurse employed in a long term care facility questions the efficacy, need or safety of co…
An individual may not use the title “medication aide” or “Certified Medication Aide” or the abbreviation “CMA” unless the individual: Is a nursing assistant; Has successfully completed training prescribed by the Oregon State Board of Nursing pursuant to ORS 678.440 for the administration of noninjectable medications; and Is authorized by the board to admi…
Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, an individual may not use the title “Certified Nursing Assistant,” “nursing assistant” or “nurse aide” or the abbreviation “CNA” unless the individual: Has successfully completed a program approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing under ORS 678.444; and Is certified under ORS 678.442. An individual…
LICENSED NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATORS; RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY ADMINISTRATORS (Generally)
As used in ORS 678.710 to 678.820, unless the context requires otherwise: “Dual facility” means a facility that operates both a hospital and a long term care facility on the same campus. “Nursing home” means any institution or facility defined as a long term care facility for licensing purposes under state statute or the rules of the Department of Human Se…
Unless an individual holds an active license issued under ORS 678.710 to 678.820, an individual may not: Practice or offer to practice as a nursing home administrator; or Use in connection with the name of the individual the words or letters “nursing home administrator,” “NHA” or any other words, letters or abbreviations or insignia tending to indicate tha…
Unless state or federal laws relating to confidentiality or the protection of health information prohibit disclosure, any health care facility licensed under ORS 441.015, any licensee licensed by the Health Licensing Office, any physician licensed by the Oregon Medical Board, any naturopathic physician licensed by the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine, a…
An individual qualifies for licensure as a nursing home administrator if the individual: Has a baccalaureate degree from an accredited school of higher education; Has passed an examination as provided in ORS 678.740; and Has completed training requirements established by the Long Term Care Administrators Board by rule. The requirement that an individual …
The Health Licensing Office may issue a residential care facility administrator license to an applicant who: Is at least 21 years of age; Has earned at least a high school diploma or its equivalent, as indicated by evidence of the following, in a form deemed sufficient by the office: Completion of high school or an equivalent educational level; Passage o…
Examinations for licensure as a nursing home administrator shall be conducted at such times and places as the Long Term Care Administrators Board designates, but not less than once a year. At the time of taking an examination for licensure as a nursing home administrator, an applicant shall pay an examination or reexamination fee established by the Health L…
The Long Term Care Administrators Board shall: Approve at least one examination for licensure as a residential care facility administrator; and Ensure that the examinations are easily and frequently accessible to applicants. An applicant for licensure under ORS 678.733 shall pay an examination or reexamination fee established by the Health Licensing Offic…
The Health Licensing Office shall adopt rules to: Approve training and continuing education for residential care facility administrators; and Establish continuing education requirements for residential care facility administrators, including that a residential care facility administrator complete at least 20 hours each year of approved continuing education…
Nothing in ORS 678.710 to 678.820 or the rules adopted under ORS 678.710 to 678.820 may be construed to require an individual, who is employed to administer an institution exempted under ORS 441.065 as an institution that is operated by and for persons who rely on spiritual means alone for the care and treatment of the sick, to demonstrate proficiency in any…
The Long Term Care Administrators Board may establish by rule standards for the issuance of a nursing home administrator or residential care facility administrator license by endorsement to an applicant who: Meets the requirements as established by the board; and On the date of making application, is a nursing home administrator or residential care facilit…
(Discipline)
In the manner prescribed in ORS chapter 183 for contested cases, the Health Licensing Office may impose a form of discipline as specified in ORS 676.612 against any person practicing as a nursing home administrator for any of the grounds listed in ORS 676.612 and for any violation of the provisions of ORS 678.710 to 678.820, or the rules adopted under ORS 67…
When the Health Licensing Office proposes to refuse to issue or renew a license, or proposes to revoke or suspend a license under ORS 678.710 to 678.820, opportunity for hearing shall be accorded as provided in ORS chapter 183. Judicial review of orders under subsection (1) of this section shall be in accordance with ORS chapter 183. If the final order of …
The Long Term Care Administrators Board may not carry out a disciplinary action against an individual who holds a license under ORS 678.710 to 678.820 unless at least one board member who represents the type of license held by the individual attends all board meetings related to the disciplinary action. Note: 678.793 was enacted into law by the Legislative …
The Long Term Care Administrators Board is established within the Health Licensing Office. The board consists 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 concerned with the care and treatment of the chronically ill or infirm elderly pa…
The Long Term Care Administrators Board shall meet at least once each year. A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. The board shall select one of its members as chairperson and another as vice chairperson, for a one-year term and with the duties and powers necessary for the performance of the functions of…
The Long Term Care Administrators Board is responsible for advising the Health Licensing Office in all matters relating to the administration of ORS 678.710 to 678.820, including: Developing standards for education and training; Developing standards of practice and professional conduct; Establishing standards related to the issuance, denial, revocation, s…
PENALTIES
Violation of any provision of ORS 678.010 to 678.415 is a Class C misdemeanor. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to: Sell or fraudulently obtain or furnish any license or permit or aid or abet therein under ORS 678.710 to 678.820; or Violate any of the provisions of ORS 678.720. _______________