Nurse practice acts (NPAs) serve as foundational legal frameworks that define the scope and boundaries of nursing practice in each U.S. state. They aim to protect the public by ensuring that every nurse provides safe and competent care to patients. Every nurse, from novices to seasoned professionals, must familiarize themselves with their state’s NPA to ensure they operate within the law and uphold the highest standards of care in their clinical practice.
Last updated: December 4, 2023The U.S. nurse practice act (NPA) is a legislation on state level guiding the scope of practice for all levels of nurses. It represents all laws that regulate a nurse’s scope of practice in the state in which the nurse is licensed, as well as the regulations for the level of a nurse’s educational and licensure requirements.
Typical elements included in a nurse practice act are, among others:
The frequency of updates varies, but most states review their NPAs regularly. Changes in healthcare, technology, or public need can prompt revisions. It’s a good practice to check your state’s Board of Nursing website regularly or be part of a professional nursing organization to stay updated.
The primary goal of nurse practice acts is to protect citizens’ rights by ensuring that nurses provide safe and competent nursing care via established standards and codes of ethics.
It’s imperative for new nurses to familiarize themselves with their state’s NPA and regularly review it throughout their careers.
If your state is not listed here, the NCSBN provides a useful tool to find your state’s NPA here.