Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2155: Use of nursing titles
Status: Signed into law, March 9, 2026
Concerning the use of nursing titles.
What the bill says
An act Relating to the use of nursing titles; amending RCW 18.79.030 and 18.79.030; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to the use of nursing titles; amending RCW 18.79.030 and 18.79.030; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date. Sec. 1. RCW 18.79.030 and 2023 c 123 s 19 are each amended to read as follows: (1) It is unlawful for a person to practice or to offer to practice as a registered nurse in this state unless that human person has been licensed under this chapter or holds a valid multistate license under chapter 18.80 RCW. A person who holds a license to practice as a registered nurse in this state may use the titles "registered nurse" and "nurse" and the abbreviation "R.N." No other person or any nonhuman entity may assume those titles or use the abbreviation or any other words, letters, signs, or figures to indicate that the person or any nonhuman entity using them is a registered nurse. (2) It is unlawful for a person to practice or to offer to practice as an advanced registered nurse practitioner or as a nurse practitioner in this state unless that human person has been licensed under this chapter. A person who holds a license to practice as an advanced registered nurse practitioner in this state may use the titles "advanced registered nurse practitioner," "nurse practitioner," and "nurse" and the abbreviations "A.R.N.P." and "N.P." No …
Sponsors
- Edwin Obras (D) · primary sponsor
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Shelley Kloba (D)
- Tarra Simmons (D)
- Sam Low (R)
- Julia Reed (D)
- Sharon Santos (D)
- Janice Zahn (D)
- Mia Gregerson (D)
- Nicole Macri (D)
- Osman Salahuddin (D)
- Natasha Hill (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026*.
- : Chapter 6, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 26, 2026): 46 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care: Do pass (February 19, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 11, 2026): 87 yea, 8 nay, passed
- House Committee on Health Care & Wellness: Do pass (January 30, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: HEALTH CARE PRACTIONERS AND PROVIDERS
Common questions
- What is HB2155?
- HB2155 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Use of nursing titles.
- What does HB2155 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to the use of nursing titles; amending RCW 18.79.030 and 18.79.030; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.
- What is the status of HB2155?
- Signed into law as of March 9, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026*. (March 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2155?
- Edwin Obras (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2155?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2155&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.