House Bill 2416 – ARNP Title Change
Why are we changing the advanced practice title to APRN?
House Bill 2416 was passed during the 2023-2024 Legislative session. The bill’s purpose was to change the protected title of “Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner” (or “ARNP”) to “Advanced Practice Registered Nurse” (or “APRN”). This aligns the title in Washington state with national best practice and the title used in most states. The change becomes effective June 30, 2027.
What is title protection?
A protected title is one that may only be used by persons in that profession. For example, an individual cannot currently use the title “ARNP” unless they are licensed under Chapter 18.79.050 RCW in an advanced practice role. If a person uses this tile without being licensed as an ARNP, even if they do not actually practice nursing, the Secretary of Health is authorized to issue cease and desist orders, seek injunctions, or issue fines (see RCW 18.130.190).
Currently, there is no title protection for the title “APRN.” Theoretically, anyone could put the title on a business card or letterhead without being in violation of the new law until it takes effect in 2027, but it would still be unlicensed practice for a person to hold themselves out as an advanced nursing practitioner. Use of the title alone, without more, would not be illegal.
What does this mean for current ARNPs?
For official legal documents, prescriptions, and other instances where legally accurate reference to the actual license held is necessary, the term ARNP should be used until the bill takes effect.
For currently licensed ARNPs, it is fine to use either ARNP or APRN in ads, on business cards, signage, or stationary. Nationally, the titles are used interchangeably. The change in law is designed to align Washington state with most states in the nation, who use the APRN title. For additional questions, please consult with your own attorney.
WABON will not consider the use of the new title APRN to be misleading or inaccurate if a person is currently licensed in an advanced practice role under Chapter 18.79 RCW. This allows for a transitional period for everyone to gradually move to the new title. Effective June 30, 2027, all licensed ARNPs will then hold the APRN title and license.
Information for Employers and Insurers
While June 30, 2027, may seem like a long way out, it will arrive quickly. Now is the time to think about all the places where the ARNP title shows up in your business practices and begin preparing for the shift to APRN. You can start by inventorying and identifying your organization’s documents and platforms that will need changes. Meet with leadership, your IT department, and any other key players to scope efforts and establish timelines for completing changes.
Places within your document inventory and archives that may be impacted include, but certainly are not limited to:
- Business bylaws
- Job descriptions and recruitment postings
- Employment records
- Forms
- Electronic health records and patient documentation
- Contact information
- Billing documents
WABON will offer a title change support session via webinar in the coming months. Please contact the Advanced Practice Team if you have specific questions that you’d like addressed during the support session.
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