Delaware § 1920 - License requirements; use of abbreviations.

§ 1920. License requirements; use of abbreviations.

(a) No person shall engage in the practice of professional nursing in Delaware without being licensed by the Board, except those persons issued a temporary permit by the Board.

(b) No person shall engage in practice as an advanced practice registered nurse without a board-issued license as an advanced practice registered nurse. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the use of title and abbreviation for advanced practice registered nurses is authorized in accordance with the following:

(1) Only certified registered nurse anesthetists may use that title, the abbreviation “CRNA” or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

(2) Only certified nurse practitioners may use that title, the abbreviation “CNP” or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a certified nurse practitioner.

(3) Only certified nurse midwives may use that title, the abbreviation “CNM” or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a certified nurse midwife.

(4) Only clinical nurse specialists may use that title, the abbreviation “CNS” or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a clinical nurse specialist.

(5) The abbreviation for the “APRN” designation for a certified nurse practitioner, a certified registered nurse anesthetist, a certified nurse midwife, and for a clinical nurse specialist will be “APRN,” plus the role title, i.e., “CNP,” “CRNA,” “CNM,” or “CNS.” It shall be unlawful for any person to use the title “APRN” or “APRN” plus their respective role titles, authorized abbreviations or any other title that would lead a person to believe the individual is an APRN, unless permitted by this chapter.

(c) No person shall knowingly employ a graduate of a professional nursing program or a registered nurse to engage in the practice of professional nursing without a temporary permit or license from the Board.

(d) Only registered nurses shall use that title, the title “nurse”, the abbreviation of “R.N.” or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a registered nurse.

(e) No person shall practice practical nursing in Delaware without being licensed by the Board, except those persons issued a temporary permit by the Board.

(f) No person shall knowingly employ a graduate of a practical nursing program or a licensed practical nurse to engage in the practice of practical nursing without a temporary permit or license from the Board.

(g) Only licensed practical nurses shall use that title, the title “nurse”, the abbreviation “L.P.N.” or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a licensed practical nurse.

(h) A nonhuman entity, including an agent powered by artificial intelligence, may not be licensed in any of the following:

(1) The practice of professional nursing.

(2) Practice as an advanced practice registered nurse.

(3) The practice of practical nursing.

(i) A nonhuman entity, including an agent powered by artificial intelligence, may not use any of the following titles or abbreviations:

(1) Advanced practice registered nurse or the abbreviation “APRN.”

(2) Certified registered nurse anesthetist or the abbreviation “CRNA.”

(3) Clinical nurse specialist or the abbreviation “CNS.”

(4) Certified nurse practitioner or the abbreviation “CNP.”

(5) Certified nurse midwife or the abbreviation “CNM.”

(6) Nurse.

(7) Registered nurse or the abbreviation “RN.”

(8) Licensed practical nurse or the abbreviation “LPN.”

(9) Doctor or the abbreviation “Dr.”

24 Del. C. 1953, §  1919;  54 Del. Laws, c. 153;  64 Del. Laws, c. 26, §  1;  69 Del. Laws, c. 319, §  12;  77 Del. Laws, c. 234, §§  1, 2;  80 Del. Laws, c. 171;  85 Del. Laws, c. 250, § 1;