Oregon Nurse Practice Act: Facility Guide
The nursing profession encompasses a broad range of roles, duties, and specialties. To better define these roles and ensure that nurses stay within their scope of practice, each state must enact laws that regulate standards for the entire profession. In Oregon, Nurse Practice Act (NPA) provisions serve as the legal guidelines that all nursing professionals must follow to deliver safe and competent care.
In addition to nursing professionals, facility leaders must also understand these guidelines in order to implement appropriate protocols. In this article, we’ll summarize key aspects of the Oregon NPA and share tips on how to apply these provisions to promote a better culture of safety.
Oregon State Nursing Practice Act at a Glance
The Oregon board of nursing (BON) is responsible for overseeing, updating, and enforcing provisions of the NPA. These provisions define education and credentialing requirements, scope of practice, and delegation guidelines for various levels of nursing, including:
- Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
- Certified Medication Aides (CMAs)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
- Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)
In order to meet the highest standards of care and professionalism, nursing staff and healthcare leaders are expected to stay up-to-date on the Nurse Practice Act. Oregon facility leaders can refer to the table below for a broad overview of key provisions and links to related resources.
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| Oregon Administrative Rules and Regulations | Oregon Revised Statutes, Volume 17, Title 52, Chapter 678:
Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 851: |
| Nursing Licensure Requirements | To obtain an RN license in Oregon, applicants must get licensed either by examination or endorsement.
Steps to receive licensure by examination:
Steps to receive licensure by endorsement:
More information about license renewal processes can be found on the Oregon BON website. |
| Scope of Practice Guidelines | The Oregon RN scope of practice is outlined in Rule 851.045.0060 and includes duties such as:
The Oregon LPN scope of practice is outlined in Rule 851.045.0050 of the NPA. Duties of the LPN include:
Practice information for APRNs and CNAs/CMAs can be found in Rule 851-055-0000 and Rule 851-063-0010, respectively. More general guidance on the nursing scope of practice can be found in the Oregon BON’s FAQ resource. |
| Delegation Rules | RNs can delegate to staff who are authorized by licensure/certification and their job description to carry out the work.
LPNs can delegate focused care tasks to other LPNs, CNAs, CMAs, or unregulated assistive persons (UAPs), if they’re authorized by licensure/certification and their job description to carry out the work. More information about the RN delegation process can be found in Rule 851-047-0045. |
| Violations and Penalties | Actions that violate the NPA are outlined in Rule 851-045-0070. Examples of these actions include:
Anyone who violates provisions of the NPA may face a civil penalty. Penalties can include fines of up to $5,000 and any other disciplinary actions deemed necessary by the board. |
| Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) State? | Oregon is not currently part of the NLC, meaning that:
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Improving NPA Compliance: 3 Tips for Facilities
Now that you have a better understanding of the Oregon Nurse Practice Act, you may be wondering how to apply these provisions to your facility’s practices. Here are three tips to improve NPA compliance among your nursing staff.
1. Send Out Regular License Renewal Reminders
Practicing without an active license is a violation of the NPA, so it’s important to ensure your staff are completing their renewals ahead of time. Oregon nursing licenses are renewed every two years, and RNs, LPNs, and APRNs must meet specific continuing education (CE) and practice requirements. You can help your staff maintain licensure by sending out annual reminders outlining these requirements and links to the BON’s nurse portal.
2. Protect Your Facility From Fake Nurses
The Oregon board of nursing actively cooperated with the Department of Justice’s investigation on fraudulently issued nursing diplomas, known as Operation Nightingale. It’s important to support the BON’s efforts by protecting your facility from fake nurses and reporting suspicious behavior in a timely manner.
When hiring new employees, make sure that you verify all nursing credentials through the BON. You should also look out for resume red flags, such as non-accredited nursing schools and fake references.
3. Utilize the BON’s Educational Resources
The BON offers a plethora of educational training and documents to support compliance with the Oregon Nurse Practice Act. These resources are designed to help facility leaders and nursing professionals get accessible and timely information beyond published rules and regulations. You can take advantage of these free resources by:
- Requesting an in-house educational presentation by the BON.
- Signing up for the BON’s sentinel newsletter.
- Keeping track of upcoming rule hearings and votes.
Get the Information You Need to Maintain Compliance
Keeping up with the Oregon Nurse Practice Act and other regulations can be difficult when you’re busy running a facility. Need a practical way to stay informed? Get expert-written insights on regulatory compliance, healthcare management, and more, 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.