Texas Board of Nursing

COMPLETE GUIDE

At Nurse Defense Firm PLLC, we understand the Texas Board of Nursing and all that it implies. We work with experienced nurses, nurse practitioners or soon-to-be graduates to provide them with a service to facilitate their process. We know our way around the Texas Nurse Portal and are here to help you navigate all the processes involving the Board.

What is the Texas Board of Nursing?

The Texas Board of Nursing is the licensing body for nurses in Texas, this board governs nearly 300,000 currently licensed nurses practicing within the state.

The Texas Board of Nursing is a state agency empowered by the Texas legislature to scrutinize and attempt to regulate nursing practice within the state by setting initial licensure standards to prevent unsafe nursing practice.

The Board licenses and regulates all licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), registered nurses (RNs) in Texas, as well as those who practice as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). It also licenses and regulates individuals who provide health care on a temporary basis in a facility or location in which they are not employed.

The Board of Nursing (BON) accomplishes its mission through a variety of methods, providing nursing practice and education guidance that includes the promulgation of rules and regulations that are consistent with the laws of the state; this ensures a trustworthy environment, providing the nursing practice sector with a clear set of guidelines.

School Approval and Resources by the BON

The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) approves schools that prepare nurses for initial entry into nursing practice. It enforces the Nursing Practice Act and Rules and Regulations by setting minimum standards for nursing practice and nursing education.

It also oversees approved nursing education programs, provides education guidance, and offers resources to prepare nurses; this can all be found throu gh the BON’s website.

BON responsibilities

The Texas Nursing Board has several responsibilities related to its enforcement activities, including:

Investigating allegations of misconduct by nurses or APRNs.
Issuing notices of noncompliance.
Issuing reprimands.
Issuing fines up to $5,000.
Placing restrictions or conditions on licenses or certificates held by nurses or APRNs.
Imposing probationary status on licenses or certificates held by nurses or APRNs.
Suspending licenses or certificates held by nurses or APRNs; and
Revoking licenses or certificates held by nurses or APRNs.

Disciplinary Orders

These disciplinary orders are generally based on formal complaints filed with the Board via the nursing website. It can be done by members of the public, or persons acting in an official governmental capacity.

Penalties range from educational remediation to revocation of licensure. The Board can also issue monetary fines, probation, restriction of practice privileges, and impose other forms of discipline when necessary. Board services reports may also be issued when necessary.

Texas License regarding other states

Texas’s Nursing Licensure Compact (Compact) states that nurses licensed by the other Compact States do not require licensing unless they plan to change to Texas as their principal residence state.

The BON and Criminal Offenses

The Board can also act against nurses who have been charged with criminal offenses such as fraud or theft. Nurses who plead guilty or no contest to these charges may have their licenses suspended or revoked until they complete all sentencing requirements outlined in their criminal case.

Licensing Renewal

Nurses’ licenses are subject to periodic renewal. If a nurse fails to renew their license on time, it will be considered inactive by the Texas Board of Nursing.

All Texas nurses can apply for an initial license or renew a license 60 days prior to their expiration date; online services are available through the Board’s website. Additionally, nurses must complete 20 contact hours of continuing nursing education (CNE) in the nurse’s area of practice within the licensing period or demonstrate the achievement, maintenance, or renewal of a Board-approved national nursing certification in the nurse’s area of practice within the licensing period.

All nurses are required to renew their licenses on a biennial basis with evidence of required continuing nursing education.

Out-of-state nurses under the Board

Texas allows out-of-state nurses to work with licensed professionals who reside outside Texas unless they have other states that have disciplinary action in effect against them for any of these reasons.

Have you received correspondence from the Texas Board of Nursing?

Call our office today for a free consultation at 833-767-5867 or 833-RNS-LVNS or visit our blog or services pages for more information.