NURSE PRACTICE ACT QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2024 - 2025
Nurse Practice Act ANS -Legal instrument; defines SCOPE of nursing practice and SETS REQUIREMENTS
for licensure in EACH STATE
Each state's Nurse Practice Act must be consistent with provisions or statutes established at the federal
level
Each state has a Nurse Practice Act which mandates BRN to establish rules to implement: ANS -- scope
of nursing practice
- methods of initial/continuing licensure
- nursing regulations within each state's jurisdiction
- advanced practice and public health nurse roles
Know your state's NPA - "NURSES WHO ARE AWARE OF THEIR RIGHTS AND DUTIES IN LEGAL MATTERS
ARE BETTER ABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM LIABILITY AND LOSS OF LICENSURE."
Multiple state license (NLC-Nursing Licensure Compact) = ANS -one license to practice in multiple states
*California not part of NLC*
Primary Purpose of the BRN ANS -PROTECT CONSUMER by:
RN licensing
Monitoring of RN educational standards
RN continuing education oversight
Discipline of RNs
Regulatory agency - role is to protect the public (consumer) - under CA Dept. of Consumer Affairs
The BRN consists of (members?) ANS -Nine board members
◦ Four public
◦ Five nurses - 2 direct care, 1 APRN, 1 administrator, 1 educator
Seven appointed by Governor, two by legislature
, CA Code of Regulations - CCR Title 22 ANS -Acknowledges Nurse Work Intensity(Patient Classification
Systems/Nurse-Patient Ratios)
◦ **Hospital shall NOT assign a licensed nurse to a nursing unit or clinical area unless hospital
determines that nurse has demonstrated current competency in providing care in that area, AND
received sufficient orientation to provide competent care.
CCR Title 16 ANS -Standards of Competency and Performance
BRN mission statement ANS -The Board of Registered Nursing protects the health and safety of
consumers by promoting quality registered nursing care in the State of California.
◦ **Serving as the final authority in the interpretation and enforcement of the Nursing Practice Act
Maintaining Licensure ANS -Renewed after two birth years (last day of month following birth month)
then every 2 years
Must complete 30 hours of board approved continuing education (exempt for first renewal and may
apply ongoing college nursing units)
** Must maintain proof of completion of CE for at least 4 years - always be prepared for audit
Must submit renewal form/fee ($190) timely
Must report any convictions or discipline by regulatory body
*Must report changes in name or address to the BRN within 30 days of change
Continuing education must be completed with a board approved provider such as ANS -(Concurrent
Enrollment Programs (CEP) , American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), other BRN providers
Enforcement Program by Dep't. of Consumer Affairs ANS -Complaints:
◦ Patient care
◦ Fraud
◦ Criminal conviction
◦ Sexual misconduct
◦ Mental illness
AND ANSWERS 2024 - 2025
Nurse Practice Act ANS -Legal instrument; defines SCOPE of nursing practice and SETS REQUIREMENTS
for licensure in EACH STATE
Each state's Nurse Practice Act must be consistent with provisions or statutes established at the federal
level
Each state has a Nurse Practice Act which mandates BRN to establish rules to implement: ANS -- scope
of nursing practice
- methods of initial/continuing licensure
- nursing regulations within each state's jurisdiction
- advanced practice and public health nurse roles
Know your state's NPA - "NURSES WHO ARE AWARE OF THEIR RIGHTS AND DUTIES IN LEGAL MATTERS
ARE BETTER ABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM LIABILITY AND LOSS OF LICENSURE."
Multiple state license (NLC-Nursing Licensure Compact) = ANS -one license to practice in multiple states
*California not part of NLC*
Primary Purpose of the BRN ANS -PROTECT CONSUMER by:
RN licensing
Monitoring of RN educational standards
RN continuing education oversight
Discipline of RNs
Regulatory agency - role is to protect the public (consumer) - under CA Dept. of Consumer Affairs
The BRN consists of (members?) ANS -Nine board members
◦ Four public
◦ Five nurses - 2 direct care, 1 APRN, 1 administrator, 1 educator
Seven appointed by Governor, two by legislature
, CA Code of Regulations - CCR Title 22 ANS -Acknowledges Nurse Work Intensity(Patient Classification
Systems/Nurse-Patient Ratios)
◦ **Hospital shall NOT assign a licensed nurse to a nursing unit or clinical area unless hospital
determines that nurse has demonstrated current competency in providing care in that area, AND
received sufficient orientation to provide competent care.
CCR Title 16 ANS -Standards of Competency and Performance
BRN mission statement ANS -The Board of Registered Nursing protects the health and safety of
consumers by promoting quality registered nursing care in the State of California.
◦ **Serving as the final authority in the interpretation and enforcement of the Nursing Practice Act
Maintaining Licensure ANS -Renewed after two birth years (last day of month following birth month)
then every 2 years
Must complete 30 hours of board approved continuing education (exempt for first renewal and may
apply ongoing college nursing units)
** Must maintain proof of completion of CE for at least 4 years - always be prepared for audit
Must submit renewal form/fee ($190) timely
Must report any convictions or discipline by regulatory body
*Must report changes in name or address to the BRN within 30 days of change
Continuing education must be completed with a board approved provider such as ANS -(Concurrent
Enrollment Programs (CEP) , American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), other BRN providers
Enforcement Program by Dep't. of Consumer Affairs ANS -Complaints:
◦ Patient care
◦ Fraud
◦ Criminal conviction
◦ Sexual misconduct
◦ Mental illness
