- The practice of registered professional nursing by a nurse practitioner, certified under section six thousand nine hundred ten of this article, may include the diagnosis of illness and physical conditions and the performance of therapeutic and corrective measures within a specialty area of practice, in collaboration with a licensed physician qualified to collaborate in the specialty involved, provided such services are performed in accordance with a written practice agreement and written practice protocols except as permitted by paragraph (b) of this subdivision. The written practice agreement shall include explicit provisions for the resolution of any disagreement between the collaborating physician and the nurse practitioner regarding a matter of diagnosis or treatment that is within the scope of practice of both. To the extent the practice agreement does not so provide, then the collaborating physician's diagnosis or treatment shall prevail.
- Prescriptions for drugs, devices and immunizing agents may be issued by a nurse practitioner, under this paragraph and section six thousand nine hundred ten of this article, in accordance with the practice agreement and practice protocols except as permitted by paragraph (b) of this subdivision. The nurse practitioner shall obtain a certificate from the department upon successfully completing a program including an appropriate pharmacology component, or its equivalent, as established by the commissioner's regulations, prior to prescribing under this paragraph. The certificate issued under section six thousand nine hundred ten of this article shall state whether the nurse practitioner has successfully completed such a program or equivalent and is authorized to prescribe under this paragraph.
- Each practice agreement shall provide for patient records review by the collaborating physician in a timely fashion but in no event less often than every three months. The names of the nurse practitioner and the collaborating physician shall be clearly posted in the practice setting of the nurse practitioner.
- *The practice protocol shall reflect current accepted medical and nursing practice and may be updated periodically. The commissioner shall make regulations establishing the procedure for the review of protocols and the disposition of any issues arising from such review.
* NB Effective until July 1, 2026
- *The practice protocol shall reflect current accepted medical and nursing practice. The protocols shall be filed with the department within ninety days of the commencement of the practice and may be updated periodically. The commissioner shall make regulations establishing the procedure for the review of protocols and the disposition of any issues arising from such review.
* NB Effective July 1, 2026 - No physician shall enter into practice agreements with more than four nurse practitioners who are not located on the same physical premises as the collaborating physician.
- *Notwithstanding subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, a nurse practitioner, certified under section sixty-nine hundred ten of this article and practicing for more than three thousand six hundred hours may comply with this paragraph in lieu of complying with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subdivision relating to collaboration with a physician, a written practice agreement and written practice protocols. A nurse practitioner complying with this paragraph shall have collaborative relationships with one or more licensed physicians qualified to collaborate in the specialty involved or a hospital, licensed under article twenty-eight of the public health law, that provides services through licensed physicians qualified to collaborate in the specialty involved and having privileges at such institution. As evidence that the nurse practitioner maintains collaborative relationships, the nurse practitioner shall complete and maintain a form, created by the department, to which the nurse practitioner shall attest, that describes such collaborative relationships. For purposes of this paragraph, "collaborative relationships" shall mean that the nurse practitioner shall communicate, whether in person, by telephone or through written (including electronic) means, with a licensed physician qualified to collaborate in the specialty involved or, in the case of a hospital, communicate with a licensed physician qualified to collaborate in the specialty involved and having privileges at such hospital, for the purposes of exchanging information, as needed, in order to provide comprehensive patient care and to make referrals as necessary. Such form shall also reflect the nurse practitioner's acknowledgement that if reasonable efforts to resolve any dispute that may arise with the collaborating physician or, in the case of a collaboration with a hospital, with a licensed physician qualified to collaborate in the specialty involved and having privileges at such hospital, about a patient's care are not successful, the recommendation of the physician shall prevail. Such form shall be updated as needed and may be subject to review by the department. The nurse practitioner shall maintain documentation that supports such collaborative relationships. Failure to comply with the requirements found in this paragraph by a nurse practitioner who is not complying with such provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, shall be subject to professional misconduct provisions as set forth in article one hundred thirty of this title.
* NB Effective July 1, 2026 - Nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to limit or diminish the practice of the profession of nursing as a registered professional nurse under this article or any other law, rule, regulation or certification, nor to deny any registered professional nurse the right to do any act or engage in any practice authorized by this article or any other law, rule, regulation or certification.
- The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to any activity authorized, pursuant to statute, rule or regulation, to be performed by a registered professional nurse in a hospital as defined in article twenty-eight of the public health law.
§6903. Practice of nursing and use of title "registered professional nurse" or "licensed practical nurse".
Only a person licensed or otherwise authorized under this article shall practice nursing and only a person licensed under section sixty-nine hundred five of this article shall use the title "registered professional nurse" and only a person licensed under section sixty-nine hundred six of this article shall use the title "licensed practical nurse". No person shall use the title "nurse" or any other title or abbreviation that would represent to the public that the person is authorized to practice nursing unless the person is licensed or otherwise authorized under this article.
§6904. State board for nursing.
A state board for nursing shall be appointed by the board of regents on recommendation of the commissioner for the purpose of assisting the board of regents and the department on matters of professional licensing and professional conduct in accordance with section sixty-five hundred eight of this title. The board shall be composed of not less than fifteen members, eleven of whom shall be registered professional nurses and four of whom shall be licensed practical nurses all licensed and practicing in this state for at least five years. An executive secretary to the board shall be appointed by the board of regents on recommendation of the commissioner and shall be a registered professional nurse registered in this state.
§6905. Requirements for a license as a registered professional nurse.
To qualify for a license as a registered professional nurse, an applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:
- Application: file an application with the department;
- Education: have received an education, and a diploma or degree in professional nursing, in accordance with the commissioner's regulations, and in order to continue to maintain registration as a registered professional nurse in New York state, have attained a baccalaureate degree or higher in nursing within ten years of initial licensure in accordance with the commissioner's regulations. The department, in its discretion, may issue a conditional registration to a licensee who fails to complete the baccalaureate degree but who agrees to meet the additional requirement within one year. The fee for such a conditional registration shall be the same as, and in addition to, the fee for the triennial registration. The duration of such conditional registration shall be for one year and may be extended, with the payment of a fee, for no more than one additional year, unless the applicant can show good cause for non-compliance acceptable to the department. The department, in its discretion, may issue a temporary educational exemption to a licensee who is unable to complete the baccalaureate degree due to a lack of access to educational programs. Licensees seeking a temporary educational exemption shall provide evidence of applying on at least two occasions to a baccalaureate degree program or programs and subsequently being denied access to such program or programs on at least two occasions due to there being a limited number of seats. Such denials shall also be corroborated by the higher education institution or institutions that the licensee applied to. Temporary educational exemptions issued pursuant to this subdivision shall be for a single two year period. Licensees shall only be eligible for either a conditional registration or a temporary educational exemption. The fee for such a temporary educational exemption shall be the same as, and in addition to, the fee for the triennial registration. Any licensee who is notified of the denial of a registration for failure to complete the additional educational requirements and who practices as a registered professional nurse without such registration may be subject to disciplinary proceedings pursuant to section sixty-five hundred ten of this title;
- Experience: meet no requirement as to experience;
- Examination: pass an examination satisfactory to the board and in accordance with the commissioner's regulations;
- Age: be at least eighteen years of age;
- Citizenship: meet no requirement as to United States citizenship;
- Character: be of good moral character as determined by the department; and
- Fees: pay a fee of one hundred fifteen dollars to the department for admission to a department conducted examination and for an initial license, a fee of forty-five dollars for each reexamination, a fee of seventy dollars for an initial license for persons not requiring admission to a department conducted examination, and a fee of fifty dollars for each triennial registration period.
§6906. Requirements for a license as a licensed practical nurse.
To qualify for a license as a licensed practical nurse, an applicant shall fulfill these requirements:
- Application: file an application with the department;
- Education: have received an education including completion of high school or its equivalent, and have completed a program in practical nursing, in accordance with the commissioner's regulations, or completion of equivalent study satisfactory to the department in a program conducted by the armed forces of the United States or in an approved program in professional nursing;
- Experience: meet no requirement as to experience;
- Examination: pass an examination satisfactory to the board and in accordance with the commissioner's regulations, provided, however, that the educational requirements set forth in subdivision two of this section are met prior to admission for the licensing examination;
- Age: be at least seventeen years of age;
- Citizenship: meet no requirements as to United States citizenship;
- Character: be of good moral character as determined by the department; and
- Fees: pay a fee of one hundred fifteen dollars to the department for admission to a department conducted examination and for an initial license, a fee of forty-five dollars for each reexamination, a fee of seventy dollars for an initial license for persons not requiring admission to a department conducted examination, and a fee of fifty dollars for each triennial registration period.
- *In conjunction with and as a condition of each triennial registration, the department shall ask and a licensed practical nurse shall indicate whether the licensed practical nurse is or has previously been authorized as an advanced home health aide pursuant to subdivision two of section sixty-nine hundred eight of this article. The department shall provide responses to the department of health and the department of health shall include such information in reports related to advanced home health aides.
* NB Repealed March 31, 2029
§6907. Limited permits.
- A permit to practice as a registered professional nurse or a permit to practice as a licensed practical nurse may be issued by the department upon the filing of an application for a license as a registered professional nurse or as a licensed practical nurse and submission of such other information as the department may require to (i) graduates of schools of nursing registered by the department, (ii) graduates of schools of nursing approved in another state, province, or country or (iii) applicants for a license in practical nursing whose preparation is determined by the department to be the equivalent of that required in this state.
- Such limited permit shall expire one year from the date of issuance or upon notice to the applicant by the department that the application for license has been denied, or ten days after notification to the applicant of failure on the professional licensing examination, whichever shall first occur. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subdivision, if the applicant is waiting the result of a licensing examination at the time such limited permit expires, such permit shall continue to be valid until ten days after notification to the applicant of the results of such examination.
- A limited permit shall entitle the holder to practice nursing only under the supervision of a nurse currently registered in this state and with the endorsement of the employing agency.
- Fees. The fee for each limited permit shall be thirty-five dollars.
- Graduates of schools of nursing registered by the department may be employed to practice nursing under supervision of a professional nurse currently registered in this state and with the endorsement of the employing agency for ninety days immediately following graduation from a program in nursing and pending receipt of a limited permit for which an application has been filed as provided in this section.
§6908. Exempt persons.
- This article shall not be construed:
- As prohibiting
- the domestic care of the sick, disabled or injured by any family member, household member or friend, or person employed primarily in a domestic capacity who does not hold himself or herself out, or accept employment as a person licensed to practice nursing under the provision of this article; provided that if such person is remunerated, the person does not hold himself or herself out as one who accepts employment for performing such care; or the administration of medications or treatment by child day care providers or employees or caregivers of child day care programs where such providers, employees or caregivers are acting under the direction and authority of a parent of a child, legal guardian, legal custodian, or an adult in whose care a child has been entrusted and who has been authorized by the parent to consent to any health care for the child and in compliance with the regulations of the office of children and family services pertaining to the administration of medications and treatment; or
- any person from the domestic administration of family remedies; or
- the providing of care by a person acting in the place of a person exempt under clause (i) of this paragraph, but who does hold himself or herself out as one who accepts employment for performing such care, where nursing services are under the instruction of a licensed nurse, or under the instruction of a patient or family or household member determined by a registered professional nurse to be self-directing and capable of providing such instruction, and services are provided under section three hundred sixty-five-f of the social services law; or
- the furnishing of nursing assistance in case of an emergency; or
- tasks provided by a direct support staff in programs certified or approved by the office for people with developmental disabilities, when performed under the supervision of a registered professional nurse and pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between the office for people with developmental disabilities and the department, in accordance with and pursuant to an authorized practitioner's ordered care, provided that: (1) a registered professional nurse determines, in his or her professional judgment, which tasks are to be performed based upon the complexity of the tasks, the skill and experience of the direct support staff, and the health status of the individual being cared for; (2) only a direct support staff who has completed training as required by the commissioner of the office for people with developmental disabilities may perform tasks pursuant to this subparagraph; (3) appropriate protocols shall be established to ensure safe administration of medications; (4) a direct support staff shall not assess the medication needs of an individual; (5) adequate nursing supervision is provided, including training and periodic inspection of performance of the tasks. The amount and type of nursing supervision shall be determined by the registered professional nurse responsible for supervising such task based upon the complexity of the tasks, the skill and experience of the direct support staff, and the health status of the individual being cared for; (6) a direct support staff shall not be authorized to perform any tasks or activities pursuant to this subparagraph that are outside the scope of practice of a licensed practical nurse; (7) a direct support staff shall not represent himself or herself, or accept employment, as a person licensed to practice nursing under the provisions of this article; (8) direct support staff providing medication administration, tube feeding, or diabetic care shall be separately certified, and shall be recertified on an annual basis; (9) the registered professional nurse shall ensure that there is a consumer specific medication sheet for each medication that is administered; and (10) appropriate staffing ratios shall be determined by the office for people with developmental disabilities and the department to ensure adequate nursing supervision. No direct support staff shall perform tasks under this subparagraph until the office for people with developmental disabilities and the department have entered into a memorandum of understanding to effectuate the provisions of this subparagraph. The office for people with developmental disabilities shall complete a criminal background check pursuant to section 16.33 of the mental hygiene law and an agency background check pursuant to section 16.34 of the mental hygiene law on the direct support staff prior to the commencement of any provision of service provided under this subparagraph if such direct support staff is a new hire. Individuals providing supervision or direct support tasks pursuant to this subparagraph shall have protection pursuant to sections seven hundred forty and seven hundred forty-one of the labor law, where applicable;
- specify the advanced tasks that may be performed by advanced home health aides pursuant to this subdivision. Such tasks shall include the administration of medications which are routine and prefilled or otherwise packaged in a manner that promotes relative ease of administration, provided that administration of medications by injection, sterile procedures, and central line maintenance shall be prohibited. Provided, however, such prohibition shall not apply to injections of insulin or other injections for diabetes care, to injections of low molecular weight heparin, and to pre-filled auto-injections of naloxone and epinephrine for emergency purposes, and provided, further, that entities employing advanced home health aides pursuant to this subdivision shall establish a systematic approach to address drug diversion;
- provide that advanced tasks performed by advanced home health aides may be performed only under the direct supervision of a registered professional nurse licensed in New York state, as set forth in this subdivision and subdivision eight of section sixty-nine hundred nine of this article, where such nurse is employed by a home care services agency licensed or certified pursuant to article thirty-six of the public health law, a hospice program certified pursuant to article forty of the public health law, or an enhanced assisted living residence licensed pursuant to article seven of the social services law and certified pursuant to article forty-six-B of the public health law. Such nursing supervision shall:
- include training and periodic assessment of the performance of advanced tasks;
- be determined by the registered professional nurse responsible for supervising such advanced tasks based upon the complexity of such advanced tasks, the skill and experience of the advanced home health aide, and the health status of the individual for whom such advanced tasks are being performed;
- include a comprehensive initial and thereafter regular and ongoing assessment of the individual's needs;
- include as a requirement that the supervising registered professional nurse shall visit individuals receiving services for the purpose of supervising the services provided by advanced home health aides no less than once every two weeks and include as a requirement that a registered professional nurse shall be available by telephone to the advanced home health aide twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, provided that a registered professional nurse shall be available to visit an individual receiving services as necessary to protect the health and safety of such individual; and
- as shall be specified by the commissioner, be provided in a manner that takes into account individual care needs, case mix complexity and geographic considerations and provide that the number of individuals served by a supervising registered professional nurse is reasonable and prudent.
- allowing assignment of advanced tasks to an advanced home health aide only where such advanced home health aide has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the supervising registered professional nurse competency in every advanced task that such advanced home health aide is authorized to perform, a willingness to perform such advanced tasks, and the ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with the individual receiving services and understand such individual's needs;
- prohibiting assignment of advanced tasks to an advanced home health aide if the individual receiving services declines to be served by an advanced home health aide;
- authorizing the supervising registered professional nurse to revoke any assigned advanced task from an advanced home health aide for any reason; and
- authorizing multiple registered professional nurses to jointly agree to assign advanced tasks to an advanced home health aide, provided further that only one registered professional nurse shall be required to determine if the advanced home health aide has demonstrated competency in the advanced task to be performed;
- at least one year of experience providing either home health or personal care services, or a combination of the same;
- completed the requisite training and demonstrated competencies of an advanced home health aide as determined by the commissioner in consultation with the commissioner of health;
- successfully completed competency examinations satisfactory to the commissioner in consultation with the commissioner of health; and
- meets other appropriate qualifications as determined by the commissioner in consultation with the commissioner of health;
§6909. Special provision.
- Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of any general, special, or local law, any licensed registered professional nurse or licensed practical nurse who voluntarily and without the expectation of monetary compensation renders first aid or emergency treatment at the scene of an accident or other emergency, outside a hospital, doctor's office or any other place having proper and necessary medical equipment, to a person who is unconscious, ill or injured shall not be liable for damages for injuries alleged to have been sustained by such person or for damages for the death of such person alleged to have occurred by reason of an act or omission in the rendering of such first aid or emergency treatment unless it is established that such injuries were or such death was caused by gross negligence on the part of such registered professional nurse or licensed practical nurse. Nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed or construed to relieve a licensed registered professional nurse or licensed practical nurse from liability for damages for injuries or death caused by an act or omission on the part of such nurse while rendering professional services in the normal and ordinary course of her practice.
- Nothing in this article shall be construed to confer the authority to practice medicine or dentistry.
- An applicant for a license as a registered professional nurse or licensed practical nurse by endorsement of a license of another state, province or country whose application was filed with the department under the laws in effect prior to August thirty-first, nineteen hundred seventy-one shall be licensed only upon successful completion of the appropriate licensing examination unless satisfactory evidence of the completion of all educational requirements is submitted to the department prior to September one, nineteen hundred seventy-seven.
- A certified nurse practitioner may prescribe and order a non-patient specific regimen to a registered professional nurse, pursuant to regulations promulgated by the commissioner, consistent with subdivision three of section six thousand nine hundred two of this article, and consistent with the public health law, for:
- administering immunizations.
- the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis.
- administering purified protein derivative (PPD) tests or other tests to detect or screen for tuberculosis infections.
- administering tests to determine the presence of the human immunodeficiency virus.
- administering tests to determine the presence of the hepatitis C virus.
- the urgent or emergency treatment of opioid related overdose or suspected opioid related overdose.
- screening of persons at increased risk for syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia.
- *administering tests to determine the presence of COVID-19 or its antibodies or influenza virus.
* NB Repealed July 1, 2026 - administering electrocardiogram tests to detect signs and symptoms of acute coronary syndrome.
- administering point-of-care blood glucose tests to evaluate acute mental status changes in persons with suspected hypoglycemia.
- administering tests and intravenous lines to persons that meet severe sepsis and septic shock criteria.
- administering tests to determine pregnancy.
- Prior to assigning or modifying an assignment to perform an advanced task, the registered professional nurse shall:
- complete a nursing assessment to ascertain the client's current health status and care needs; and
- provide to the advanced home health aide written, individual-specific instructions for performing the advanced task and criteria for identifying, reporting and responding to problems or complications.
- the advanced task to be assigned is consistent with an authorized health practitioner's ordered care;
- the registered professional nurse provides case specific training to the advanced home health aide and personally verifies that the advanced home health aide can safely and competently perform the advanced task;
- the registered professional nurse determines that the advanced home health aide is willing to perform such advanced task; and
- the registered professional nurse determines that the advanced home health aide is able to effectively and efficiently communicate with the individual receiving services and understand such individual's needs.
- visit individuals receiving services for the purpose of supervising the services provided by advanced home health aides no less than once every two weeks; and
- conduct regular and ongoing assessment of the individual's needs.
- *A certified nurse practitioner may prescribe and order a patient specific order or non-patient specific order to a licensed pharmacist, pursuant to regulations promulgated by the commissioner in consultation with the commissioner of health, and consistent with the public health law, for dispensing up to a seven day starter pack of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis for the purpose of preventing human immunodeficiency virus infection following a potential human immunodeficiency virus exposure. * NB There are 2 sb 8's
- A registered professional nurse may execute a standing order for newborn care in a hospital established under section twenty-eight hundred three-v of the public health law, as provided in that section. The commissioner may make regulations relating to implementation of this subdivision.
- A certified nurse practitioner may prescribe and order a non-patient-specific regimen to a licensed pharmacist, for insulin and related supplies pursuant to section sixty-eight hundred one of this title.
- A certified nurse practitioner may prescribe and order a non-patient specific order to a pharmacist licensed and located in the state, pursuant to regulations promulgated by the commissioner, and consistent with section sixty-eight hundred one of this title, for dispensing self-administered hormonal contraceptives as defined in section sixty-eight hundred two of this title.
§6910. Certificates for nurse practitioner practice.
- For issuance of a certificate to practice as a nurse practitioner under subdivision three of section six thousand nine hundred two of this article, the applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:
- Application: file an application with the department;
- License: be licensed as a registered professional nurse in the state;
- Education:
- have satisfactorily completed educational preparation for provision of these services in a program registered by the department or in a program determined by the department to be the equivalent; or
- submit evidence of current certification by a national certifying body, recognized by the department; or
- meet such alternative criteria as established by the commissioner's regulations;
§6911. Certification as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
- For issuance of a certificate to practice as a clinical nurse specialist under section six thousand nine hundred two of this article, the applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:
- file an application with the department;
- be licensed as a registered professional nurse in this state;
- have satisfactorily completed an educational program registered by the department including a master's or doctoral degree, or a post-master's certificate from a program acceptable to the department which prepares graduates to practice as CNSs and which is accredited by a national nursing accredited body acceptable to the department, and
- meets all other requirements established by the department to practice as a clinical nurse specialist, or (iii) have received educational preparation determined by the department to be the substantial equivalent of subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph; and
§6912. Clinical education in New York state nursing education programs.
- For purposes of this section, "simulation experience" shall mean planned learning experiences that represent actual or potential situations in clinical nursing practice and adhere to the standards of this section. Such learning experiences allow participants to develop or enhance clinical nursing competencies and provide an opportunity to analyze and respond to realistic situations in a simulated environment.
- New York state certificate and degree programs registered by the department for the purposes of meeting the education requirements set forth in this article shall include clinical education, or the equivalent as defined and determined by the commissioner pursuant to regulation.
- Registered programs may deliver one-third of such clinical training or clinical education through simulation experience as defined in this section and in accordance with the commissioner's regulations, provided, however, nothing in this section shall reduce the minimum in-person or direct care requirements established by programmatic accreditors and certifying bodies. To meet a particular educational need the commissioner may approve that more than one-third of such clinical training or clinical education may be met through simulation experience as defined in this section and in accordance with the commissioner's regulations.
- The commissioner shall prescribe in regulation an expedited process for programs seeking a curricular change to implement simulation experiences. For programs that are not in substantial compliance with department program requirements, the department may request additional information and materials, in accordance with the commissioner's regulations. The department shall act upon a program's submission to implement simulation experiences within twenty business days of receipt of a complete and properly submitted form.
- Simulation experience acceptable to the department for the purposes of clinical training or clinical education shall:
- be designed, guided and supervised by program faculty and program staff with appropriate and relevant training, certification or accreditation, who may be assisted or supported by experts in simulation, in a nursing skills or clinical simulation laboratory setting;
- include continued professional development opportunities for program faculty and program staff in simulation methods and best practices;
- utilize theory-based, evidence-based, and standards-driven pedagogy;
- require active student engagement in guided skills practice with instructional feedback;
- include formative and summative assessments of well-articulated competencies appropriate to the role and responsibilities of the learner;
- use various types of fidelity through equipment and practice to replicate substantial aspects of clinical nursing practice and utilize relevant equipment and technologies as appropriate to the desired learning outcomes;
- maintain continued compliance with the standards of program registration; and
- respond to innovations or emerging educational needs, pursuant to regulation.
- As prohibiting