Connecticut Nurse Practice Act: Facility Guide

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Written by Danielle Roques, BSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare
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Reviewed by Aldo Zilli, Esq. Senior Manager, B2B Content, IntelyCare
Connecticut nurses discuss something on a patient file in the hallway of a hospital.

As the healthcare staffing shortage expands, nursing professionals are expected to take on additional responsibilities to ensure safe patient care. Each state enacts laws to ensure clinicians continue to provide care that’s within their legal scope. In Connecticut, the rules and regulations that govern nursing practice are collectively known as the Connecticut Nurse Practice Act.

What’s included in the Connecticut Nursing Practice Act (NPA) and how do these state laws impact healthcare facilities? In this article, we introduce the Connecticut NPA and review key elements that directly affect a nurse’s daily practice. Then, we outline three strategies to help administrators improve NPA compliance within their organization.

What Is the Connecticut Nurse Practice Act?

LPNs, RNs, and APRNs practicing in Connecticut are required to follow the laws contained in the state’s nurse practice act. These laws:

Nurse Practice Act: Connecticut Laws at a Glance

Nurses are often introduced to tenets of their state’s NPA during nursing school, but few receive any formal training on the laws after accepting their first job. Facility leaders are responsible for educating their clinicians and ensuring they provide high-quality care in accordance with state laws. In the table below, we’ll highlight components of the Connecticut NPA that could be helpful for bedside clinicians to understand.

Connecticut Nurse Practice Act
Legal Authorities General Statutes of Connecticut, Title 20, Chapter 378:

Connecticut Administrative Code, Title 20, Chapter 90:
Connecticut State Nursing Licensure Requirements Connecticut RN licensure applicants must qualify by either passing the NCLEX examination or getting a license endorsed from another state.

Steps for NCLEX Exam Qualification:

  1. Graduate from a Connecticut approved or accredited nursing education program.
  2. Submit an application with the appropriate fees.
  3. Register for and pass the NCLEX examination.

Steps for Endorsement Qualification:

  1. Graduate from a Connecticut BON-approved nursing education program and submit verified transcripts.
  2. Submit an application with the appropriate fees.
  3. Present a valid license to practice nursing in another state and submit a licensure verification form.

Note: The board may grant a temporary practice permit for graduate nurses who are new to nursing practice or for nurses with an out-of-state license looking to practice in CT. This temporary license is valid for a maximum of 120 days and is subject to board approval.

The Connecticut Board of Nursing website also provides approximate timeframes for application processing and outlines the required steps to renew a nursing license.
Connecticut Nurse Practice Act Delegation of Duties According to Chapter 378, Section 20-101, nursing professionals are allowed to delegate to unlicensed clinicians when, among things:

  • The task is within the nurse’s scope of practice.
  • The nurse retains responsibility for the performance and outcome of the task.
  • The task is part of routine care and poses minimal risk to the patient.
  • The nurse is able to instruct, supervise, and evaluate the performance of the nursing task.
  • The unlicensed clinician has received the appropriate education and training to perform the task.

Nursing professionals are prohibited from delegating tasks that, among other things:

  • Are outside of the delegator’s scope of practice, knowledge, or ability.
  • Involve the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, interpretation, independent decision-making, and evaluation).
  • Require an understanding of how to recognize and manage complications if the task doesn’t go to plan.
Penalties for NPA Violation Any violation of the rules outlined in the General Statutes of Connecticut Section 20-99 represents grounds for disciplinary action. These violations include:

  • Committing fraud or deceit when obtaining a nursing license.
  • Practicing any form of nursing without a legal license.
  • Acting with negligence or incompetence.
  • Abusing drugs, narcotics, alcohol, or other chemicals.
  • Falsifying medical documentation.
  • Being convicted of a crime.

Any of the above violations could result in a suspended or revoked nursing license along with fines, public reprimand, and the possibility of criminal charges.
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) State? Connecticut is not currently involved in the nurse licensure compact. Therefore:

  1. In-state nurses must obtain additional licensure to practice out-of-state; and
  2. Out-of-state nurses can’t practice in Connecticut without applying for endorsement.

However, Connecticut has signed the NLC into law and will officially join the Nurse Licensure Compact on October 1, 2025. On that date, the Connecticut Nurse Practice Act will encompass rules and guidelines established by the NLC.

Improving NPA Compliance: 3 Strategies for Facilities

It’s essential that facility leaders understand key components of the Connecticut NPA when developing nursing policies, procedures, and protocols. Looking for guidance on how to improve your organization’s regulatory compliance efforts? Here are three tips to get you started.

1. Provide Training on the Connecticut NPA

By teaching your nursing team about their legal scope of practice, you’ll empower them to take charge of their own professional practice. Identify your team’s learning preferences to determine the most effective way to share information on the Connecticut Nurse Practice Act. Examples of strategies include:

  • Adding Nurse Practice Act materials to your organization’s onboarding handbook.
  • Hosting an in-person presentation to review nursing rights and responsibilities.
  • Sending a monthly “Nurse Practice Act Updates” newsletter to all nursing staff.
  • Developing an online CE course for staff to complete on their own time.
  • Posting legal resources to your facility’s nursing website.

2. Verify Employee Credentials

The rise in fraudulent nursing practice places patients at risk for substandard care. Incorporating licensure verification into your organization’s orientation and onboarding practices can ensure the employees you recruit have the qualifications necessary to keep patients safe. Facility leaders can validate the legitimacy of a clinician’s professional licensure on either the Connecticut BON website or the Nursys QuickConfirm Portal.

3. Report Suspected Misconduct

Oversight is required to ensure that care quality aligns with federal and state standards. Nursing managers and bedside clinicians are encouraged to report suspected misconduct by submitting complaints directly to the Connecticut BON. By posting a link to the Connecticut Department of Health complaint form straight to your facility website, you can make it easy for staff to report concerns like:

  • Fraudulent licensure or practice.
  • Inappropriate delegation.
  • Unprofessional conduct.

Find More Ways to Support Your Nursing Team

Once you’re familiar with the Connecticut Nurse Practice Act, you’re well on your way to optimizing your organization’s quality of care. Looking for more insights? Discover additional tips, resources, and guides to streamline your clinical improvement efforts in our free healthcare newsletter.

 

Legal Disclaimer: This article contains general legal information, but it is not intended to constitute professional legal advice for any particular situation and should not be relied on as professional legal advice. Any references to the law may not be current, as laws regularly change through updates in legislation, regulation, and case law at the federal and state level. Nothing in this article should be interpreted as creating an attorney-client relationship. If you have legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.

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