HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2155
As Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to the use of nursing titles.
Brief Description: Concerning the use of nursing titles.
Sponsors: Representatives Obras, Parshley, Kloba, Simmons, Low, Reed, Santos, Zahn, Gregerson, Macri, Salahuddin and Hill.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 1/20/26, 1/30/26 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/11/26, 87-8.
Passed Senate: 2/26/26, 46-2.
Passed Legislature.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Prohibits nonhuman entities from using nursing titles.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 15 members:Representatives Bronoske, Chair; Lekanoff, Vice Chair; Rule, Vice Chair; Valdez, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Davis, Engell, Macri, Manjarrez, Obras, Parshley, Shavers, Simmons, Stonier, Stuebe and Thai.
Minority Report: Without recommendation.Signed by 2 members:Representatives Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Marshall, Assistant Ranking Minority Member.
Staff:

Alison Ryan (786-7296)
Background:

To practice nursing in Washington, a person must be licensed by the Washington State Board of Nursing (Board) or hold a valid multistate license.  The Board licenses registered nurses, advanced registered nurse practitioners, and licensed practical nurses.

 

A person who is not licensed to practice nursing by the Board or who does not hold a valid multistate license may not practice as a nurse, offer to practice as a nurse, use nursing titles, or otherwise indicate that the person is a licensed nurse.
Summary of Bill:

A person may not practice as a registered nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or licensed practical nurse unless that human person is licensed by the Washington State Board of Nursing or holds a valid multistate license. 

 

A nonhuman entity may not use the following titles or abbreviations available to registered nurses, advanced registered nurse practitioners, or licensed practical nurses: 

  • "registered nurse," "nurse," or "RN;"
  • "advanced registered nurse practitioner," "nurse practitioner," "ARNP," or "NP;" or
  • "licensed practical nurse" or "LPN."

 

A nonhuman entity may not use any other words, letters, signs, or figures to indicate that the nonhuman entity is a registered nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or licensed practical nurse. 

 

On June 30, 2027, previously enacted legislation will take effect changing the ARNP title to "advanced practice registered nurse" or "APRN."  A nonhuman entity will also be prohibited from using "advanced practice registered nurse" or "APRN."
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill contains multiple effective dates. Please see the bill.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology grows in health care, there are concerns about patient safety, transparency, and worker protections.  Safeguarding the title of nurse can help affirm the distinction between licensed professionals and technology.  Oregon passed a similar law in 2025.

 

Ensuring transparency is essential.  Patients are increasingly interacting with chatbots, and they deserve to know who or what is providing advice.  Additionally, AI cannot be held accountable when something goes wrong.  Trust in the nursing profession needs to be preserved. 

 

Artificial intelligence is a support tool but cannot replace the nursing profession.  Nursing is relational and requires ethical judgment.  This cannot be safely or ethically automated.  Artificial intelligence overstepping nursing work could reinforce existing disparities.  Nurses should shape AI's adoption.  Some providers who have used or seen the use of AI do not think it is safe to use in patient care.  Nursing should be maintained as a profession done by humans.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

Representative Edwin Obras, prime sponsor; Emily Kay, Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA); Jessica Hauffe, Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA); and Delores Prescott, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.