Washington, D.C. Nurse Practice Act: Facility Guide

Legal Authorities

Code of the District of Columbia, Title III, Chapter 12:

• Sections 3-1201.01 to 3-1251.16

District of Columbia Administrative Code, Title 17, Chapter 54:

• Sections 17-5400 to 17-5499 (registered nursing)
• Sections 17-5500 to 17-5599 (practical nursing)
• Sections 17-5600 to 17-5699 (nursing schools and programs)

D.C. Board of Nursing License Requirements

Washington, D.C. RN licensure applicants must qualify by either passing the NCLEX examination or getting a license endorsed from another state.

The steps for NCLEX exam qualification are as follows:

1. Graduate from a Washington, D.C. approved or accredited nursing education program.
2. Submit an application with the appropriate fees.
3. Complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting.
4. Register for and pass the NCLEX examination.

The steps for endorsement qualification are outlined in Section 17-5405 of the District of Columbia Administrative Code as follows:

1. Graduate from a Washington, D.C., BON-approved nursing education program and submit verified transcripts.
2. Submit an application with the appropriate fees.
3. Complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting.
4. Present a valid license to practice nursing in another state and submit a request for licensure verification.

Note: The board may grant a temporary license for nurses who are new to nursing practice in D.C. and meet board specifications. This temporary permit allows supervised practice until the nurse is fully qualified. The permit is non-renewable and is valid for up to 90 days.

The Washington, D.C. Board of Nursing website also provides approximate timeframes for application processing and outlines the required steps to renew a nursing license.

Washington, D.C. Nurse Practice Act Delegation of Duties

According to the District of Administrative Code Section 17-5415, nursing professionals are allowed to delegate to unlicensed clinicians when:

• The nurse can maintain full responsibility for the performance and outcome of the delegated task.
• The unlicensed clinician has demonstrated the appropriate skills and ability to safely complete the task.
• The task is frequently delegated.
• The outcome of the task is predictable and poses minimal risk to the patient.
• The nurse’s place of employment has developed facility-specific policies and procedures for safe delegation.
• The nurse is able to supervise and evaluate the performance of the delegated task.
• Safe completion of the task doesn’t require any steps of the nursing process (assessment, interpretation, independent decision-making).

Nursing professionals are prohibited from delegating tasks that are outside of their scope of practice. Delegation of any of the following nursing tasks is also prohibited:

• Assessing a patient
• Establishing a nursing diagnosis
• Developing and evaluating the success of a nursing care plan
• Providing patients and family members with advice, counseling, or education
• Coordinating care efforts
• Carrying out any other task that requires nursing knowledge, skills, or professional judgment

D.C. NPA Violations and Penalties

Section 17-5416 of the District of Columbia Administrative Code outlines the standards of practice that all nurses must abide by. Among other things, these standards require nurses to:

• Work within their scope of practice.
• Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and sound nursing judgment.
• Accept responsibility for their nursing actions and decisions.
• Maintain clinical competence through continuing education.
• Respect patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Provide care for patients until the completion of their assignment or shift.
• Maintain professional boundaries with patients and family members.
• Report any instances of unsafe nursing practice that could pose a risk to patients.
• Care for patients equitably, without regard for race, ethnicity, diagnosis, disability, culture, or religion.

A breach of the above code of conduct, along with any violation outlined in Section 3–1205.14 of the Code of the District of Columbia, represents grounds for disciplinary action. These violations include but are not limited to:

• Practicing nursing under a fraudulent license.
• Being convicted of a misdemeanor or felony.
• Demonstrating mental or physical incompetence.
• Abusing drugs, alcohol, or other controlled substances.
• Falsifying medical reports or records.
• Engaging in an unprofessional nurse-patient relationship.
• Discriminating or harassing a patient or family member.
• Abandoning a patient assignment.
• Knowingly failing to report suspected child abuse.

Any of the above violations of the Washington, D.C. Nurse Practice Act could result in a suspended or revoked nursing license, along with fines, public reprimand, and the possibility of criminal charges.

Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) State?

Washington, D.C. is not currently involved in the NLC compact. Therefore:

1. D.C. nurses must obtain additional licensure to practice in another state; and
2. Out-of-state nurses can’t practice without first submitting a D.C. nursing license by endorsement application.

Legislation has been introduced that would establish the District of Columbia’s participation in the NLC if passed. Depending on the outcome of Council Bill 260069, D.C. may join the NLC.