Oklahoma Nurse Practice Act: Facility Guide
Nurses currently make up the largest workforce in the healthcare industry. Since there is such a wide range of roles that make up the profession, each state must enact laws that ensure nursing staff of all levels are practicing within the confines of their education and training. In Oklahoma, Nurse Practice Act (NPA) provisions serve as the legal guidelines that every nursing professional in the state must follow to meet standards of care and keep patients safe.
At the institutional level, facility leaders are responsible for implementing protocols that help staff adhere to these provisions. To help you enforce accurate policies, we’ll summarize key parts of the Oklahoma NPA and share tips on how to promote compliance within your team.
Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act at a Glance
The NPA is overseen, revised, and enforced by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. Practice act provisions outline the state’s credentialing requirements and scope of practice guidelines for different nursing roles, including:
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
- Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)
It’s important for facility leaders to familiarize themselves with the NPA and understand how each type of nursing professional functions in their respective role. Below is a summary of key provisions and links to related resources.
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| Oklahoma Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations | Oklahoma Statutes:
Oklahoma Administrative Code: |
| Nursing Licensure Requirements | To obtain an RN license in Oklahoma, applicants must get licensed either by examination or endorsement.
Steps to receive licensure by examination:
Steps to receive licensure by endorsement:
More information about license renewal processes can be found on the Oklahoma BON website. |
| Oklahoma Nurse Practice Act Scope of Practice Guidelines | Scope of practice guidelines for each type of nursing professional is broadly defined in Section 59-567.3a of the NPA.
The Oklahoma RN scope of practice includes:
The Oklahoma LPN scope of practice includes, but is not limited to:
APRNs are further categorized into Certified Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Specialists, and Nurse Midwives in the Nurse Practice Act. Oklahoma facility leaders can refer to the board’s decision-making model for more details on the scope of practice for these roles and RNs/LPNs. |
| Oklahoma Nurse Practice Act Delegation Rules | Delegation guidelines for all licensed nurses can be found in a position statement published by the board. In general, licensed nursing professionals (LPNs, RNs, and APRNs) can delegate tasks if:
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| Violations and Penalties | According to Section 59-567.8a, the board of nursing has the authority to impose disciplinary actions on anyone who has violated provisions of the NPA.
Under Section 59-567.9, violations are generally considered misdemeanors and can result in a fine of at least $100, along with any other corrective actions imposed by the board. |
| Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) State? | Oklahoma is part of the NLC, meaning that nurses within the state can practice according to the rules and guidelines established by the NLC. |
Improving NPA Compliance: 3 Tips for Facilities
With this overview of the Oklahoma Nurse Practice Act, you may be wondering how to best comply with these provisions at your facility. Here are three tips for applying the NPA to build a better culture of safety.
1. Stay Informed Through the Board’s Newsletters
The Oklahoma Board of Nursing regularly publishes newsletters to inform the public on regulatory changes, board reorganizations, and other pertinent updates to the nursing profession. Since nursing regulations change quite frequently, referencing these newsletters is a great way to ensure that you’re retiring outdated practices and amending protocols to reflect the most recent standards of care.
2. Thoroughly Screen and Vet Your Job Candidates
Practicing nursing without a valid license is a violation of the NPA. During the hiring process, take measures to verify and double check the credentials of your job candidates. All nurses should have an active Oklahoma nursing license by the time of hire, and you should verify licenses through the board’s verification portal.
You should also watch out for other resume red flags, such as non-accredited nursing schools, to protect your facility from fake nurses. If you do come across an individual who is forging their credentials, file a complaint to the board of nursing in a timely manner.
3. Get Involved in the Board of Nursing’s Action Areas
The Oklahoma board actively publishes new guidelines based on state public health initiatives related to nursing practice. For example, the board enforces state guidelines that aim to reduce prescription drug abuse. It’s important to maintain ongoing training for your APRNs on relevant prescribing guidelines so that they’re following best practices to help prevent opioid-related deaths.
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Legal Disclaimer: This article contains general legal information, but it is not intended to constitute professional legal advice for any particular situation and should not be relied on as professional legal advice. Any references to the law may not be current, as laws regularly change through updates in legislation, regulation, and case law at the federal and state level. Nothing in this article should be interpreted as creating an attorney-client relationship. If you have legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.