Kentucky Nurse Practice Act: Facility Guide
The nursing profession has evolved greatly over the past century, leading each state to pass laws that more strictly regulate the profession’s wide range of roles and responsibilities. In Kentucky, these laws are outlined in the Kentucky Nurse Practice Act (NPA), which establishes standards for nurses of various levels and ensures that patient safety is made a priority.
While all nurses are expected to familiarize themselves with these laws, facility leaders must also stay informed to enforce appropriate care protocols. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the Kentucky NPA and outline tips to help you promote staff compliance.
What Is the Nurse Practice Act in Kentucky? Overview
In Kentucky, nursing laws are overseen by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Practice Act provisions establish credentialing rules, scope of practice guidelines, and professional conduct expectations for nurses throughout the state. Below, we’ll summarize some of the key provisions that facility leaders should be aware of.
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| Legal Authorities | Kentucky Revised Statutes, Chapter 314:
Kentucky Administrative Regulations, Title 201, Chapter 20: |
| Nursing Licensure Requirements | To obtain an RN or LPN license in Kentucky, applicants must get licensed either by examination or endorsement.
Steps to receive licensure by examination:
Steps to receive licensure by endorsement:
More information about licensure renewal can be found on the Kentucky Board of Nursing’s website. |
| Scope of Practice Guidelines | The Kentucky Nurse Practice Act establishes scope of practice guidelines for registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). According to Section 314.011, RN practice broadly includes the:
For further guidance on differentiating between the RN, LPN, and APRN scope of practice, facility leaders should refer to the Kentucky board of nursing scope of practice determination guidelines. |
| Delegation Rules | While the NPA doesn’t explicitly define the certified nursing assistant (CNA) scope of practice, Kentucky facility leaders should understand what can and cannot be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
According to Regulation 20:400, both RNs and LPNs have the authority to delegate to UAPs as long as the task:
The Kentucky BON has also created and published a decision tree to help RNs and LPNs determine what can be safely delegated to a UAP. |
| Violations and Penalties | Section 314.991 provides examples of actions that violate the Kentucky Nurse Practice Act and potential penalties. In general, any individual who violates these provisions may be fined between $50 and $500.
The BON also has the authority to deny, revoke, probate, limit, or suspend a license and impose an additional civil penalty of no more than $10,000 on a case-by-case basis. |
| Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) State? | Kentucky is part of the NLC, meaning that nurses within the state can practice according to the rules and guidelines established by the NLC. |
Improving NPA Compliance: 3 Tips for Facilities
Familiarizing yourself with the Kentucky Nurse Practice Act is the first step to promoting better compliance at your facility. Here are three additional tips that can help you guide your nursing team in the right direction.
1. Stay Informed Through RegWatch
Nursing rules and regulations are constantly changing, and it’s important to ensure that your facility’s protocols reflect the most updated standards. The Kentucky General Assembly provides a convenient, free service called RegWatch that sends out notifications about new or amended regulations. You can sign up for notifications from the Board of Nursing specifically to get real-time updates about the NPA.
2. Remind Staff to Complete Annual CE Requirements
In Kentucky, licensed nursing professionals are required to complete and maintain records of annual continuing education training. RNs, LPNs, and APRNs all have different requirements, which are further detailed on the BON’s website. Sending out annual reminders with links to board-approved CE courses can help staff stay ahead of their training and maintain competency standards.
3. Utilize the BON Advisory Opinion Statements Index
The BON regularly publishes advisory opinion statements (AOS) to help break down more vague aspects of the NPA. For example, AOS #7 clarifies the nurse’s role in wound closure procedures, while AOS #42 further explains the regulatory requirements impacting telehealth and nursing.
These advisory statements are created and published based on frequently asked questions that the board receives from the public. Thus, they serve as valuable resources to reference if you need more guidance on specific nursing tasks or settings.
Stay Ahead of the Latest Nursing News
Keeping up with the Kentucky Nurse Practice Act and other regulations is essential for delivering safe and high quality care. Need an easier way to stay informed while you’re busy running a facility? Get timely news, updates, and insights about the nursing industry delivered straight to your inbox.
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.