What We Do
The nine OSBN board members are appointed by the Governor and include two public members, four registered nurses, one licensed practical nurse, one certified nursing assistant, and one nurse practitioner. The four RN members represent various areas of nursing practice as follows: one nurse educator, one nurse administrator, and two direct-care non-supervisory nurses. They also represent a variety of geographic locations. Board members serve three-year terms. The OSBN is part of the executive branch of Oregon state government.
The OSBN meets regularly throughout the year, holding five in-person meetings and seven virtual meetings. It may hold special meetings if necessary. Board meetings are open to the public. The OSBN employs a staff of about 50 who provide customer service and assist the Board in carrying out its mission.
The OSBN, with the help of its staff:
- interprets the Oregon Nurse Practice Act;
- evaluates and approves nursing education and nursing assistant training programs;
- issues licenses and renewals;
- investigates complaints and takes disciplinary action against licensees who violate the Oregon Nurse Practice Act;
- maintains the nursing assistant registry and administers competency evaluations for nursing assistants; and,
- provides testimony to the legislature and other organizations as needed.
Additional Information
Nursing Occupations Licensed/Certified in Oregon
Registered nurses (RN) – The RN license grants the licensee the scope of practice authority to independently engage in nursing practice. Nursing practice is the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health problems. The RN engages in nursing practice with individuals, families, communities and populations within the parameters of their educational preparedness and practice competencies. The RN license holder has completed a nursing education program receiving either a diploma, associate’s degree, baccalaureate degree or a master’s degree. The scope and standards of practice for the RN are located in Oregon Administrative Rule Chapter 851, Division 45, of the Nurse Practice Act.
Licensed practical nurses (LPN) – The LPN license grants the holder the scope of practice authority to engage in nursing practice under the clinical direction and supervision of an RN, NP, physician or dentist. LPN practice occurs within an established plan of care that has be written by an RN or NP, or within an established treatment plan written by a physician or dentist. The LPN carries out assigned interventions that are consistent with their educational preparedness and practice competencies. The LPN license holder has completed a nine to 18-month practical nursing education program receiving a certificate of completion or trade diploma. The scope and standards of practice for the LPN are located in Oregon Administrative Rule Chapter 861, Division 045, of the Nurse Practice Act.
Clinical nurse specialist (APRN-CNS) – The CNS license grants the licensee the scope of practice authority to independently provide evidence-based advanced nursing care to clients. The CNS holds an active RN license and has completed a graduate degree nursing program or a post-master’s degree certificate with evidence of CNS theory and clinical concentration. The CNS may apply for prescriptive authority. The scope and standards of practice for the CNS are found in Oregon Administrative Rule Chapter 851, Division 54, of the Nurse Practice Act.
Certified registered nurse anesthetist (APRN-CRNA) – The CRNA license grant the licensee the scope of practice authority to perform anesthesia care that is consistent with their educational preparedness and practice competencies. The CRNA holds an active RN license and has met CRNA licensure requirements that include completion of a post-baccalaureate nurse anesthetist education program. The CRNA holds prescriptive authority. The scope and standards of practice for the CRNA are found in Oregon Administrative Rule Chapter 851, Division 52, of the Nurse Practice Act.
Nurse practitioner (APRN-NP) – The NP license grants the licensee the scope of practice authority to independently diagnoses illness and independently prescribe treatment within the parameters of their specific license type, educational preparedness, and practice competencies. The NP holds an active RN license and has completed a master's degree in nursing or a doctorate in nursing education program. There are 12 specialty population foci for nurse practitioners: Acute Care, Adult, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Family, Geriatric, Neonatal, Pediatric, Pediatric Acute Care, Psychiatric/Mental Health, Women's Health Care. The scope and standards of practice for the NP are found in Oregon Administrative Rule Chapter 851, Division 53, of the Nurse Practice Act.
Certified nursing assistant (CNA) – The CNA certificate allows the holder to assist the RN, and the LPN care team member, in the implementation of the RN’s plan of care. The CNA has completed a Board approved 150 hour nursing assistant training program and passed a Board-administered examination qualifying them to obtain certification as a nursing assistant. The specific list of duties that may be performed by the CNA are listed in Oregon Administrative Rule Chapter 851, Division 63, of the Nurse Practice Act.
Certified medication aide (CMA) – The CMA is an actively certified nursing assistant who has completed additional training through a Board-approved medication aide training program and who has passed a Board-administered CMA examination. The list of duties that a CMA may perform are listed in Oregon Administrative Rule Chapter 851, Division 63, of the Nurse Practice Act.