The Board of Nursing adopts Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) to carry out its prescribed duties and responsibilities. The Nurse Practice Act is comprised of these rules. An OAR is generally an applicable administrative directive, standard, regulation, or statement that implements, interprets, or prescribes law. Once established, OARs have the force of law and all persons or entities to which the rule applies must adhere to the rule.
Because rules affect the public, they must be adopted in compliance with the requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act (ORS Chapter 183). The Board may adopt, amend, renumber, or repeal a rule either on its own initiative or in response to outside requests through a process known as rulemaking. Our rulemaking process offers several opportunities for people and organizations to provide feedback on a proposed rule:
- A Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) representing those who may have an interest in the rule helps shape rule language.
- Oregonians are invited to weigh in on the rule and may attend RAC meetings, provide written comments, or testify during a public hearing.
Proposed Rules
All comments received regarding proposed rules will be posted on this site for public transparency.
Purpose of Rule Changes
The Nurse Practice Act, like so many statutes, has been developed and modified over decades, leading to a patchwork of statute and rules, some of which don't reflect current nursing standards or practices. The passage of HB 3044 during the 2025 legislative session allowed the OSBN to modernize and align the NPA statute with current practice standards and remove antiquated and unnecessary barriers. The proposed administrative rule changes support the changes included in HB 3044. A Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) process was not needed for changes to this division.
Brief Description of Changes
Proposed changes align rules with proposed changes in Division 31 and removed unnecessary language. See rule draft for specific proposed language. Updates disciplinary language, application term names, and the license lifecycle timeframe for reinstatement from 30 days post expiration to 90 days.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was open from 9-23-25 through 10-21-25. A public rule hearing was held Oct. 25. The Board adopted the draft rules during its Nov. 13, 2025 board meeting. The new rules go into effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Purpose of Rule Changes
The Nurse Practice Act, like so many statutes, has developed and changed over decades, leading to a patchwork of statute and rules, some of which don't reflect current nursing standards or practices. The passage of HB 3044 during the 2025 legislative session allowed the OSBN to modernize and align the NPA statute with current practice standards and remove antiquated and unnecessary barriers. The proposed administrative rule changes support the changes included in HB 3044. A Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) process was not needed for changes to these divisions.
Brief Description of Changes
Updates align rules with changes in Division 31 and clarify some fee names.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was open from 9-23-25 through 10-21-25. A public rule hearing was held Oct. 25. The Board adopted the draft rules during its Nov. 13, 2025, board meeting. The new rules take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Purpose of Rule Changes
The Nurse Practice Act, like so many statutes, has developed and changed over decades, leading to a patchwork of statute and rules, some of which don't reflect current nursing standards or practices. The passage of HB 3044 during the 2025 legislative session allowed the OSBN to modernize and align the NPA statute with current practice standards and remove antiquated and unnecessary barriers. The proposed administrative rule changes support the changes included in HB 3044. A Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) process was not needed for changes to these divisions.
Brief Description of Changes
Updates align rules with changes in other divisions; removes some unnecessary definitions and clarifies others.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was open from 9-23-25 through 10-21-25. A public rule hearing was held Oct. 25. The Board adopted the draft rules during its Nov. 13, 2025, board meeting. The new rules take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Purpose of Rule Changes
The Nurse Practice Act, like so many statutes, has developed and changed over decades, leading to a patchwork of statute and rules, some of which don't reflect current nursing standards or practices. The passage of HB 3044 during the 2025 legislative session allowed the OSBN to modernize and align the NPA statute with current practice standards and remove antiquated and unnecessary barriers. The proposed administrative rule changes support the changes included in HB 3044. A Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) process was not needed for changes to these divisions.
Brief Description of Changes
Proposed changes clarify requirements for licensure and education standards and changes the term “licensed independent practitioner" to “healthcare provider."
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was open from 9-23-25 through 10-21-25. A public rule hearing was held Oct. 25. The Board adopted the draft rules during its Nov. 13, 2025, board meeting. The new rules take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Purpose of Rule Changes
The Nurse Practice Act, like so many statutes, has changed over decades, leading to a patchwork of statute and rules, some of which don't reflect current nursing standards or practices. The passage of HB 3044 during the 2025 legislative session allowed the OSBN to modernize and align the NPA statute with current practice standards and remove antiquated and unnecessary barriers. The proposed administrative rule changes support the changes included in HB 3044.
Brief Description of Changes
Proposed changes consolidate all nursing licensure
requirements into a single division. The revisions include:
- Remove outdated references to “practice hours" in compliance with HB 3044, replacing them with continuing education requirements where applicable.
- Standardize terminology by replacing “unencumbered" with “in good standing."
- Clarify grammatical and usage issues, including the consistent use of “diagnose" rather than “diagnosing" and correcting “and/or" to “one or the other."
- Harmonize application, endorsement, renewal, and re-entry provisions for all license types, ensuring a consistent structure that supports both regulatory clarity and IT system integration.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was open from 9-23-25 through 10-21-25. A public rule hearing was held Oct. 25. The Board adopted the draft rules during its Nov. 13, 2025, board meeting. The new rules take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Rule Advisory Committees
Purpose of Rule Changes
The Nurse Practice Act, like so many statutes, has changed over decades, leading to a patchwork of statute and rules, some of which don't reflect current nursing standards or practices. The passage of HB 3044 during the 2025 legislative session allowed the OSBN to modernize and align the NPA statute with current practice standards and remove antiquated and unnecessary barriers. The proposed administrative rule changes support the changes included in HB 3044. A Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) process was not needed for changes to these divisions.
Brief Description of Changes
Proposed changes improve clarity, consistency, and alignment with current Board statutes and Division 55 rules by correcting terminology, ensuring parallel structure, and removing outdated or unnecessary language. The proposed changes add physician associate to the healthcare provider types whose treatment plans can provide clinical direction to LPN practice. The proposed language also expands the out-of-state licensed healthcare provider types from whom a RN employed by a school or long-term care facility may accept orders.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was open from 9-23-25 through 10-21-25. A public rule hearing was held Oct. 25. The Board adopted the draft rules during its Nov. 13, 2025, board meeting. The new rules take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Purpose of Rule Changes
The Nurse Practice Act, like so many statutes, has changed over decades, leading to a patchwork of statute and rules, some of which don't reflect current nursing standards or practices. The passage of HB 3044 during the 2025 legislative session allowed the OSBN to modernize and align the NPA statute with current practice standards and remove antiquated and unnecessary barriers. The proposed administrative rule changes support the changes included in HB 3044. A Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) process was not needed for changes to this division.
Division 53 (APRN Licensure) is being repealed in its entirety to streamline and consolidate all nurse licensure requirements into Division 31. This change supports the Board's efforts to create a single, comprehensive rule set for all nursing license types (LPN, RN, APRN), improving clarity, reducing redundancy, and making it easier for licensees and stakeholders to locate and interpret licensure requirements. All pertinent provisions of Division 53 have been reviewed and incorporated into Division 31 to ensure continuity of standards and compliance with statutory authority under ORS 678.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was open from 9-23-25 through 10-21-25. A public rule hearing was held Oct. 25. The Board adopted the draft rules during its Nov. 13, 2025, board meeting. The new rules take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Purpose of Rule Changes
The Nurse Practice Act, like so many statutes, has changed over decades, leading to a patchwork of statute and rules, some of which don't reflect current nursing standards or practices. The passage of HB 3044 during the 2025 legislative session allowed the OSBN to modernize and align the NPA statute with current practice standards and remove antiquated and unnecessary barriers. The proposed administrative rule changes support the changes included in HB 3044. A Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) process was not needed for changes to these divisions.
Brief Description of Changes
Propos ed changes replace outdated terminology, standardizes certification application terms, clarifies processes for application processes.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was open from 9-23-25 through 10-21-25. A public rule hearing was held Oct. 25. The Board adopted the draft rules during its Nov. 13, 2025, board meeting. The new rules take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Purpose of Rule Changes
Division 1 lists the general rules of practice followed by the Board. The Board adopted temporary rule changes at its 6-26-25 meeting to implement a legislatively mandated change. ORS 670.280(4) allows individuals to petition a licensing board prior to beginning an educational program for a determination as to whether a criminal conviction would prevent the individual from receiving a professional license or certificate.
The Board adopted the rules permanently during the 9-18-25 Board meeting. A rules advisory committee was not necessary.
Purpose of Rule Change
Division 2 is a list of all the agency fees for licensure. The Board adopted temporary rule changes at its 6-26-25 meeting to implement fee changes as part of its 2025-2027 budget that go into effect July 1, 2025. The Board has not increased nurse licensing fees since 2009, despite its costs increasing by 119% ($15.8 million). For the past 16 years, OSBN has worked diligently to manage these growing costs without burdening our licensees with higher fees. The increasing costs of services and staffing have finally outpaced the Board's financial capacity. RN and APRN fees will increase $100. LPN fees will increase $35 because the
Board recognized LPNs traditionally earn less than RNs. CNA fees are not included in this change.
The Board adopted the rules permanently during the 9-18-25 Board meeting. A rules advisory committee was not necessary.
Purpose of Rule Changes
Predetermination fee in Division 2 for Division 1 lists the general rules of practice followed by the Board. The Board adopted temporary rule changes at its 6-26-25 meeting to implement a legislatively mandated change. ORS 670.280(4) allows individuals to petition a licensing board prior to beginning an educational program for a determination as to whether a criminal conviction would prevent the individual from receiving a professional license or certificate.
The Board adopted the rules permanently during the 9-18-25 Board meeting. A rules advisory committee was not necessary.
Purpose of Rule Change
Division 70 contains rules regarding how the Board monitors licensees on probation and those who participate in the Health Professional Services Program (HPSP), the Board's alternative to discipline program. In 2023, the Board opted to cease admitting licensees to the HPSP due to the cost of the program. The proposed rule revisions reverses this decision, in keeping with the Board's updated mission statement and commitment to nursing wellness.
The Board adopted the proposed rule changes at its August 20, 2025, meeting. A RAC process was not needed for changes to this division.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was open July 1 - 21. A Public Rule Hearing was held July 17.
Purpose of Rule Change
Division 10 lists the operations of the Board itself (not the agency). The proposed revisions adjusts the number of per diem days in accordance with the change in board meeting dates for 2026.
The Board adopted the proposed rule changes at its August 20, 2025, meeting. A RAC process was not needed for changes to this division.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was open July 1 - 21. A Public Rule Hearing was held July 17.
Purpose of Rule Changes
The effort to incorporate Division 51 into Division 21 is intended to simplify regulatory requirements for nursing programs and their overarching institutions. Currently, differences in Division 21 and 51 have resulted in different standards to the program and institution that are not based on the level of program or licensure. For example, Divisions 21 and 51 have different processes for establishing new programs, expectations for program and institutional resources, information that is reportable or needing approval by the Board, and administrator and faculty qualifications. All institutions that offer APRN education in Oregon also offer RN education; meaning that within these institutions, one nursing department or division needed to follow different sets of administrative rules. Incorporating Division 51 standards into Division 21, and repealing Div. 51 entirely, will streamline the regulation of education programs at all levels (LPN, RN, APRN) and makes it easier for institutions to adhere to regulatory requirements.
Additional Information
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was open May 1 - 21. A Public Rule Hearing was scheduled May 20, 11am - Noon.
Rule Advisory Committees
RAC Meeting #4: A final RAC meeting was held February 5, 2025.
RAC Meeting #3: The meeting was held October 10, 2024.
RAC Meeting #2: The meeting was held August 20, 2024.
RAC Meeting #1: The meeting was held July 30, 2024.
Purpose of Rule Change
Division 6 is a list of standard definitions used within the Oregon Nurse Practice Act. The proposed revisions impact 10 terms contained in six rule numbers and support the changes proposed in Division 21, Standards for Approval of PN and RN Education Programs.
A RAC process was not needed for changes to this division.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was open May 1 - 21. A Public Rule Hearing was held May 20, 11am - Noon.
Purpose of Rule Changes
As of July 1, 2025, there will be only one level of CNA in Oregon. The Board of Nursing approved the changes listed below to Division 61 (OAR 851-061-0010 to -0130) of the Nurse Practice Act during the April 17, 2025, public Board meeting, with an effective date of July 1, 2025. These administrative rule changes support the transition from two levels of CNA to one and align the division with previously approved changes to Division 63. Public Comment Period
A public comment period was held 2-24-25 through 3-21-25. A Public Rule Hearing was held March 18.
Rule Advisory Committee Meeting
RAC Meeting: A RAC meeting was held July 16, 2024.
Purpose of Rule Changes
As of July 1, 2025, there will be only one level of CNA in Oregon. The Board of Nursing approved the changes listed below to Division 62 (OAR 851-062-0011 to -0116) of the Nurse Practice Act during the April 17, 2025, public Board meeting, with an effective date of July 1, 2025. These administrative rule changes support the transition from two levels of CNA to one and align the division with previously approved changes to Division 63.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was held 2-24-25 through 3-21-25 . A Public Rule Hearing was held March 18.
Rule Advisory Committee Meeting
RAC Meeting: A RAC meeting was held July 19, 2024.
Purpose of Rule Changes
Two minor changes to rule numbers 851-049-0010 and 851-049-0015 were made to make it easier to find requirements for nursing practice documentation.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was held 2-24-25 through 3-21-25 . A Public Rule Hearing was held March 18.
A RAC process was not needed for changes to this division.
Purpose of Rule Changes
After receiving feedback in June 2022 from CNAs and legislators that there were too many barriers to becoming a CNA, the Board of Nursing began a lengthy public process of listening sessions and rule advisory committee (RAC) meetings to determine the best way forward. Based on information received during this process, the Board determined that maintaining two levels of nursing assistant no longer made sense in the current healthcare landscape and didn't significantly impact patient safety. This process also resulted in reducing the number of nursing assistant training hours, as well as curriculum and exam question updates. In June 2024, the Board voted to combine the two CNA levels with an implementation date of July 1, 2025, to give employers, training programs, and CNAs time to prepare.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was held 5-1-24 through 5-21-24. A Public Rule Hearing was held May 21, 2024.
Rule Advisory Committee (RAC) Minutes