SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 2155
As Passed Senate, February 26, 2026
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: Passed House: 2/11/26, 87-8.
Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/19/26 [DP].
Floor Activity: Passed Senate: 2/26/26, 46-2.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Establishes that nursing titles may only be held or used by a licensed human person.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Cleveland, Chair; Orwall, Vice Chair; Slatter, Vice Chair; Muzzall, Ranking Member; Bateman, Chapman, Christian, Harris, Holy, Riccelli and Robinson.
Staff: Jacob Ewing (786-7402)
Background:

In order to practice nursing in the state of Washington, a person must be licensed by the Department of Health (DOH) or hold a valid multistate license. 


A person can be licensed by DOH as a: 

  • registered nurse; 
  • advanced registered nurse practitioner; or 
  • licensed practical nurse. 


Under state law, it is unlawful for a person who is not licensed by DOH or who does not hold a valid multistate license to practice nursing, offer to practice as a nurse, or use the title or abbreviations of a nurse to indicate that they are a nurse.
Summary of Bill:

It is unlawful for a person to practice as a registered nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner, advanced practice registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse unless that human person is licensed by DOH or holds a valid multistate license. 

 

The title of nurse, registered nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner, advanced practice registered nurse, nurse practitioner, and licensed practical nurse and the abbreviations R.N., A.R.N.P., A.N.R.P., N.P., and L.P.N. may only be held or used by a licensed human person. 

 

No other person or nonhuman entity may use the titles nurse, registered nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner, advanced practice registered nurse, nurse practitioner, or licensed practical nurse or any abbreviations, words, signs, or figures associated with those titles to indicate the person or nonhuman entity hold those titles. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

No public hearing was held.
Persons Testifying:

N/A
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying:

N/A