The document discusses the chapters of the Texas Occupations Code and Rules that govern nursing practice, including the Nursing Practice Act, nurse peer review, nurse license compact, and advanced practice registered nurse compact. It provides information on the role and responsibilities of the Texas Board of Nursing in regulating nursing, establishing licensing requirements, and enforcing the Nursing Practice Act. The 13-member Board of Nursing is comprised of 6 nurse members, 3 nursing faculty members, and 4 public members appointed by the governor.

1. Allison Dittmar, BSN, C-EFM, RNC-OB
In the Know with the
Nursing Practice Act

2. TEXAS OCCUPATION CODE
AND RULES REGULATING THE
PRACTICE OF NURSING
There are 4 chapters that contain important
information for practicing nurses.

3. Chapter 301:
Contains the Nursing
Chapter 303:
Relates to Nursing Peer
Practice Act (NPA) which
Review
creates the Board of
Nursing (BON) and
defines its responsibilities
Chapter 304: Chapter 305:
Relates to Nurse New chapter that
License Compact introduces Advanced
Practice RN compact
These chapters of the Texas Administrative Code define nursing practice and give the BON the authority to
make rules which implement and interpret the NPA. Licensees are required to comply with both
P.ii

4. “Nurses practicing in this state are expected to know
and practice in compliance with chapters 301, 303, 304
and 305 of the Texas Occupations Code and with the
Board of Nurses Rules.” p.iv

5. • Only the legislature can change
the Nurse Practice Act, so
statutory changes only occur
every two years (odd years).
The Board makes rule changes
as needed to assist in the
application of the NPA to
evolving practice conditions
and settings. It is
necessary, therefore, that you
keep up with the changes.
p.iii

6. Getting Up-to-Date Information from the BON
• Replace your copy of
• Rule Changes
the NPA every 2 years
• Notice of Disciplinary
• Read the newsletter actions-citations
for the newest rule violated
changes • Provides additional
information
• BON Quarterly concerning nurses
Newsletter, in the mail who had action taken
or online against their license
http://www.bon.texas.gov/about/newsletters.ht by the Texas BON
ml

7. Who’s on the Board of Nursing
• 13 Total members appointed by the Governor
with the advice and consent of the senate
– 6 Nurse Members
• 1 Advanced Practice, 2 RN’s (non-faculty), 3 Vocational
(non-faculty)
– 3 Nurse Faculty Members
• 1 Baccalaureate degree program, 1 Associate Degree
program and 1 Vocational degree program
– 4 Members who represent the general public

8. Mission of the Texas Board of Nursing
“ The mission of the Texas Board of Nursing
(BON or Board) is to protect and promote
the welfare of the people of Texas by
ensuring that each person holding a license
as a nurse in the State of Texas is competent
to practice safely.”

9. Major Roles of the Texas
Board of Nursing
• Regulation of the practice
Regulating the practice of of nursing
nursing and establishing
the standards for
• Approval of educational
professional conduct are programs
the most important roles
the BON has.

10. Purpose of the Texas Board of Nursing
“ The purpose of the Texas BON is to protect and
promote the welfare of the people of Texas. This
purpose supersedes the interest of any individual, the
nursing profession or any special interest group.”

11. FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD:
AS DESCRIBED IN THE TEXAS
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

12. Functions of the Board
Establish standards of nursing practice and
regulate the practice of professional and
vocational nursing
Interpret the NPA and the Rules and
Regulations Related to…
Receive complaints and investigate possible
violations of the NPA and rules and
regulations

13. Functions of the Board cont.
 Discipline violators through appropriate legal
action to enforce the NPA and rules and
regulations.
Recommend to legislature appropriate
changes in the NPA to ensure the NPA is
current
Establish standards for nursing education and
accredit or deny accreditation to schools of
nursing…

14. The Texas Board of Nursing does not promote
nursing as a profession. This is the role of a
professional association. Nor does the TBON
advocate for nurses on employment issues.

15. Comparison of BON and Professional
Organizations
Texas BON Organizations and
• Responsible to the Associations
public • Responsible to
members
• No authority in
employment issues • Serve the individual
interests of nurses
• Prohibited by law • May lobby
from lobbying legislature and
legislature Governor

16. NPA Section 301.002
• Definition of Professional Nursing
– The performance of an act that requires
substantial specialized judgment and skill, the
proper performance of which is based on
knowledge and application of the principles of
biological, physical, and social science as acquired
by a completed course in an approved school of
professional nursing. p.1

17. QUESTION
How many people make up the BON?
A) 12 members with 6 nurse members, 3 nursing faculty
members and 3 general public members?
B) 13 members with 6 nurse members, 3 nursing faculty
members and 4 general public members
C) 13 members with 5 nurse members, 3 nursing faculty
members and 4 general public members?
D) 12 members with 6 nurse members, 4 nursing faculty
members and 2 general public members?

18. ANSWER
B) 13 members with 6 nurse members, 3 nursing
faculty members and 4 general public members

19. INITIAL LICENSURE
• Sworn Application
• Good Professional Character
• Successful completion of an approved program of
professional or vocational nursing education
• Passing score on the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam
• Report on the Criminal Background Check
• Pay $139.00 fee

20. NPA Section 301.2511: Criminal
History Record Information for License
Applicants
• “An applicant must submit a complete and legible set
of fingerprints…for the purpose of obtaining criminal
history record information from the Department of
Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.” p. 30
• “The board may require that an applicant for the
renewal of an unexpired license to submit a
complete and legible set of fingerprints.” p.39