The Board of Nursing adopts Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) to carry out its prescribed duties and responsibilities. The Nurse Practice Act is comprised of these rules. An OAR is generally an applicable administrative directive, standard, regulation, or statement that implements, interprets, or prescribes law. Once established, OARs have the force of law and all persons or entities to which the rule applies must adhere to the rule.
Because rules affect the public, they must be adopted in compliance with the requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act (ORS Chapter 183). The Board may adopt, amend, renumber, or repeal a rule either on its own initiative or in response to outside requests through a process known as rulemaking. Our rulemaking process offers several opportunities for people and organizations to provide feedback on a proposed rule:
- A Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) representing those who may have an interest in the rule helps shape rule language.
- Oregonians are invited to weigh in on the rule and may attend RAC meetings, provide written comments, or testify during a public hearing.
Proposed Rules
Purpose of Rule Changes
The effort to incorporate Division 51 into Division 21 is intended to simplify regulatory requirements for nursing programs and their overarching institutions. Currently, differences in Division 21 and 51 have resulted in different standards to the program and institution that are not based on the level of program or licensure. For example, Divisions 21 and 51 have different processes for establishing new programs, expectations for program and institutional resources, information that is reportable or needing approval by the Board, and administrator and faculty qualifications. All institutions that offer APRN education in Oregon also offer RN education; meaning that within these institutions, one nursing department or division needed to follow different sets of administrative rules. Incorporating Division 51 standards into Division 21, and repealing Div. 51 entirely, will streamline the regulation of education programs at all levels (LPN, RN, APRN) and makes it easier for institutions to adhere to regulatory requirements.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period is open May 1 - 21. A Public Rule Hearing is scheduled May 20, 11am - Noon.
- Division 51 Public Rule Hearing Notice and Draft Rule Language
Rule Advisory Committees
RAC Meeting #4: A final RAC meeting was held February 5, 2025.
RAC Meeting #3: The meeting was held October 10, 2024.
RAC Meeting #2: The meeting was held August 20, 2024.
RAC Meeting #1: The meeting was held July 30, 2024.
Purpose of Rule Change
Division 6 is a list of standard definitions used within the Oregon Nurse Practice Act. The proposed revisions impact 10 terms contained in six rule numbers and support the changes proposed in Division 21, Standards for Approval of PN and RN Education Programs.
A RAC process is not needed for changes to this division.
Purpose of Rule Changes
As of July 1, 2025, there will be only one level of CNA in Oregon. The Board of Nursing approved the changes listed below to Division 61 (OAR 851-061-0010 to -0130) of the Nurse Practice Act during the April 17, 2025, public Board meeting, with an effective date of July 1, 2025. These administrative rule changes support the transition from two levels of CNA to one and align the division with previously approved changes to Division 63. Public Comment Period
A public comment period was held 2-24-25 through 3-21-25. A Public Rule Hearing was held March 18.
Rule Advisory Committee Meeting
RAC Meeting: A RAC meeting was held July 16, 2024.
Purpose of Rule Changes
As of July 1, 2025, there will be only one level of CNA in Oregon. The Board of Nursing approved the changes listed below to Division 62 (OAR 851-062-0011 to -0116) of the Nurse Practice Act during the April 17, 2025, public Board meeting, with an effective date of July 1, 2025. These administrative rule changes support the transition from two levels of CNA to one and align the division with previously approved changes to Division 63.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was held 2-24-25 through 3-21-25 . A Public Rule Hearing was held March 18.
Rule Advisory Committee Meeting
RAC Meeting: A RAC meeting was held July 19, 2024.
Purpose of Rule Changes
Two minor changes to rule numbers 851-049-0010 and 851-049-0015 were made to make it easier to find requirements for nursing practice documentation.
Public Comment Period
A public comment period was held 2-24-25 through 3-21-25 . A Public Rule Hearing was held March 18.
A RAC process was not needed for changes to this division.