Wash. Rev. Code § 18.79.030

Current through 2024

Section 18.79.030 - [Effective 6/30/2027] Licenses required-Titles

(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 under chapter 18.80 RCW. A person who holds a license to practice as a registered nurse in this state may use the titles "registered nurse" and "nurse" and the abbreviation "R.N." No other person may assume those titles or use the abbreviation or any other words, letters, signs, or figures to indicate that the person using them is a registered nurse.

(2) It is unlawful for a person to practice or to offer to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse or as a nurse practitioner in this state unless that person has been licensed under this chapter. A person who holds a license to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse in this state may use the titles "advanced practice registered nurse," "nurse practitioner," and "nurse" and the abbreviations "A.P.R.N." and "N.P." No other person may assume those titles or use those abbreviations or any other words, letters, signs, or figures to indicate that the person using them is an advanced practice registered nurse or nurse practitioner.

(3) It is unlawful for a person to practice or to offer to practice as a licensed practical nurse in this state unless that person has been licensed under this chapter or holds a valid multistate license under chapter 18.80 RCW. A person who holds a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse in this state may use the titles "licensed practical nurse" and "nurse" and the abbreviation "L.P.N." No other person may assume those titles or use that abbreviation or any other words, letters, signs, or figures to indicate that the person using them is a licensed practical nurse.

(4) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a person listed as a Christian Science nurse in the Christian Science Journal published by the Christian Science Publishing Society, Boston, Massachusetts, from using the title "Christian Science nurse," so long as such person does not hold himself or herself out as a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, nurse practitioner, or licensed practical nurse, unless otherwise authorized by law to do so.

RCW 18.79.030

Amended by 2024 c 239,§ 1, eff. 6/30/2027.

Amended by 2023 c 123,§ 19, eff. 7/23/2023.

1997 c 177 § 1; 1994 sp.s. c 9 § 403.

Effective date- 2024 c 239 : "Except for section 21 of this act, this act takes effect June 30, 2027." [2024 c 239 s 22.]

Short title- 2023 c 123 : See RCW 18.80.900.

This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.