Concerning the use of nursing titles.
SB 5904 restricts the use of specific nursing titles in Washington State. Only licensed registered nurses (R.N.), advanced practice nurse practitioners (A.P.R.N.), and licensed practical nurses (L.P.N.) may use those titles or their abbreviations. The bill prohibits all others - including unlicensed individuals and nonhuman entities - from using these titles or similar designations to imply licensed status. It includes an exception for Christian Science nurses listed in the Christian Science Journal, provided they do not claim to be licensed nurses. The law takes effect June 30, 2027.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Dec 16, 2025
Last action Mar 12, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Feb 4, 2026
How they voted
51–0
Passed
Total votes 51
Feb 4, 2026
D
Democratic31
100% Yea
R
Republican20
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
13
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Feb 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 8:00 AM.
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (51-0)
senate
Jan 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
HLTC - Majority; do pass.
upper
Jan 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 10:30 AM.
upper
Jan 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 8:00 AM.
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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