Washington, D.C. Nurse Practice Act: Facility Guide
Healthcare staffing shortages and increases in patient acuity have forced nursing professionals to take on additional duties and responsibilities. To ensure clinicians continue to practice within their legal scope, each state and U.S. territory has established rules to govern nursing practice. In the District of Columbia, these laws are collectively known as the Washington, D.C. Nurse Practice Act.
How does D.C.’s nurse practice act (NPA) impact facilities, clinicians, and the patients they serve? In this article, we’ll summarize the rules outlined in the D.C. NPA, explain how they impact a nurse’s daily care duties, and list tips for administrators looking to incorporate tenets of the NPA into their facility’s regulatory compliance practices.
What Is the Washington, D.C. Nurse Practice Act?
LPNs, RNs, and APRNs practicing in Washington, D.C. are required to follow the laws outlined in the state’s nurse practice act. These laws cover:
- Washington, D.C. Board of Nursing (BON) rules and regulations.
- Minimum care standards that must be met in all healthcare facilities.
- The steps required for maintaining and renewing a D.C. nursing license.
- Requirements for Washington, D.C. nursing education programs.
- Penalties for NPA violations.
Nurse Practice Act: Washington, D.C. Laws at a Glance
While most clinicians have a basic understanding of their legal scope of practice, few are familiar with the intricacies of D.C.’s nurse licensure requirements, rules for delegation, and penalties for violations. This lack of awareness places their professional practice — and the patients they care for — at risk.
In the table below, we outline key elements of the Washington, D.C. Nurse Practice Act that could affect your clinicians.
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| Legal Authorities | Code of the District of Columbia, Title III, Chapter 12:
District of Columbia Administrative Code, Title 17, Chapter 54:
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| D.C. Board of Nursing License Requirements | Washington, D.C. RN licensure applicants must qualify by either passing the NCLEX examination or getting a license endorsed from another state.
The steps for NCLEX exam qualification are as follows:
The steps for endorsement qualification are outlined in Section 17-5405 of the District of Columbia Administrative Code as follows:
Note: The board may grant a temporary license for nurses who are new to nursing practice in D.C. and meet board specifications. This temporary permit allows supervised practice until the nurse is fully qualified. The permit is non-renewable and is valid for up to 90 days. The Washington, D.C. Board of Nursing website also provides approximate timeframes for application processing and outlines the required steps to renew a nursing license. |
| Washington, D.C. Nurse Practice Act Delegation of Duties | According to the District of Administrative Code Section 17-5415, nursing professionals are allowed to delegate to unlicensed clinicians when:
Nursing professionals are prohibited from delegating tasks that are outside of their scope of practice. Delegation of any of the following nursing tasks is also prohibited:
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| D.C. NPA Violations and Penalties | Section 17-5416 of the District of Columbia Administrative Code outlines the standards of practice that all nurses must abide by. Among other things, these standards require nurses to:
A breach of the above code of conduct, along with any violation outlined in Section 3–1205.14 of the Code of the District of Columbia, represents grounds for disciplinary action. These violations include but are not limited to:
Any of the above violations of the Washington, D.C. Nurse Practice Act 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? | Currently, Washington, D.C. is not involved in the NLC compact. Therefore:
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Improving NPA Compliance: 3 Tips for Facilities
After becoming familiar with District of Columbia nursing laws, facility leaders should focus on incorporating elements of the Washington, D.C. Nurse Practice Act into their facility’s nursing practices. The following three strategies can help you optimize your regulatory compliance efforts and ensure your clinical operations run smoothly.
1. Partner With a Legal Team to Develop Facility Policies
You’ll need to ensure that your organization’s clinical policies and procedures align with the laws of the NPA. When developing or revising care guidelines, it can be helpful to collaborate with a legal team to protect your clinicians and prevent accidental misconduct.
2. Verify Employee Credentials Upon Hire
Fraudulent nursing practice places your patients and brand at risk. To combat the use of fake nursing diplomas and licenses, the Department of Justice has enacted an initiative called Operation Nightingale. Under this initiative, federal law enforcement officials have been investigating instances of fraud related to nursing diplomas and apprehending individuals involved in the sale and distribution of falsified documents.
Before onboarding a new employee, you’ll want to ensure that they’ve earned the degree, license, and certification they claim to hold on their resume. You can do this easily via the D.C. Nursing License Lookup service or on the Nursys Quick Confirm License Verification portal. Ensuring that the clinicians you hire are capable of providing professional care builds trust between your facility and the patients you serve.
3. Educate Staff on the Rules of the D.C. NPA
Nurses who are empowered with the knowledge to manage their own professional practice are happier and more engaged in the workplace. Ensure your clinicians have a firm understanding of D.C. nursing laws by providing staff training on the NPA. You can disseminate information by:
- Developing an online CE course for nurses to complete during annual competency training.
- Providing a copy of the Washington, D.C. Nurse Practice Act in your facility’s nursing handbook.
- Listing the D.C. Board of Nursing phone number in public locations and encouraging nurses to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Discover More Ways to Enhance Patient Safety
Now that you have a better understanding of the laws outlined in the Washington, D.C. Nurse Practice Act, you’re probably looking for additional insights to improve the health and welfare of your patients. Follow along in our free expert-written newsletter for additional tips, strategies, and guides — 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.