Section 54-1401 - PURPOSE - LICENSE REQUIRED - REPRESENTATION TO THE PUBLICIn order to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare, it is in the public interest to regulate and control nursing in the state of Idaho, to promote quality health care services, to prohibit unqualified and dishonest persons from practicing nursing, and to protect against acts or conduct that may endanger the health and safety of the public.
(1) License required. It shall be unlawful for any person to practice nursing or offer to practice nursing unless that person is duly licensed pursuant to this chapter.(2) Representation to the public. Only a person who holds a valid and current license to practice registered nursing in this state or a party state pursuant to sections 54-1408 and 54-1418, Idaho Code, may use the title "nurse," "registered nurse," "graduate nurse" or "professional nurse" or the abbreviation "RN" or any other designations, titles or abbreviations to indicate that the person is practicing nursing in this state. Only a person who holds a valid and current license to practice practical nursing in this state or a party state pursuant to sections 54-1407 and 54-1418, Idaho Code, may use the title "nurse," "licensed practical nurse," or the abbreviation "LPN" or any other designations, titles or abbreviations to indicate that the person is practicing nursing in this state.(3) All applicants for original licensure and for license reinstatement shall submit to a fingerprint-based criminal history check in accordance with section 67-9411A, Idaho Code.[54-1401, added 1977, ch. 132, sec. 2, p. 280; am. 2003, ch. 188, sec. 1, p. 510; am. 2004 , ch. 268, sec. 1 , p. 751; am. 2008 , ch. 67, sec. 1 , p. 172; am. 2012 , ch. 142, sec. 1 , p. 371; am. 2014 , ch. 44, sec. 1 , p. 116.]Amended by 2024 Session Laws, ch. 101,sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2024.Amended by 2014 Session Laws, ch. 44, sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2014.Amended by 2012 Session Laws, ch. 142, sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2013.