When I stepped into the role of Executive Director on July 23, 2023, I made a commitment to the agency, the Board members, and the state to ensure the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) continues to fulfill its mission of protecting the public.
Over the past two years the Board has emphasized the importance of prioritizing nurse wellness as a cornerstone of public protection. We embraced a new mission statement that not only reflects OSBN’s commitment to regulatory excellence but also underscores the importance of supporting the well-being of our nursing workforce: “The Oregon State Board of Nursing protects the public through regulatory excellence and promoting the wellness of nursing professionals.”
To support this updated mission of nurse wellness, the Board advocated for ongoing access for licensees to the Oregon Wellness Program and to re-engage in the Health Professional Services Program, which provides an alternative to disciplinary actions related to substance use.
The Board has not increased nurse licensing fees since 2009, despite our costs increasing by 119% ($15.8 million). For the past 16 years, OSBN has worked diligently to manage these growing costs without burdening our licensees with higher fees. The increasing costs of services and staffing have finally outpaced our financial capacity.
To provide some perspective, the number of licensed professionals in Oregon has nearly doubled since 2009. This increase is reflected in the rising number of applications processed by our Licensing department and in the number of complaints received and cases opened in our Investigations department. At my request, the Department of Administrative Services thoroughly reviewed our agency’s structure; this review revealed the OSBN Investigations department required additional staffing and a restructured management approach to enhance the quality and speed of its investigations, which are critical for maintaining public trust and protection.
These two themes, public safety and customer service, were at the heart of our 2025-27 budget and the request that we increase licensing fees to support the needs of the agency and the people we serve. Raising fees isn’t something we take lightly; one of our core values is Stewardship, meaning we strive to use our financial, physical, and staff resources effectively. As we move forward with these necessary fee adjustments, I want to reassure you that the Board remains dedicated to fairness and equity.
Oregon's nursing licensing fees have historically been lower than those of neighboring states, such as Washington and California. For instance, Oregon's license renewal fee has remained at $145 every two years, in contrast to Washington’s $138 per year and California’s $190 every two years. Similarly, Oregon's exam fees are $160, whereas California charges $300 and Washington $203. By implementing a $100 increase in application fees for RNs and APRNs, we aim to balance Oregon’s rates with those of neighboring states, ensuring fairness in our fee structure. In addition, the Board recognized LPNs traditionally earn less than RNs and adjusted LPN fees by $35 rather than $100 to better align fees with their economic realities.
After public hearings and scrutiny, our budget passed both legislative chambers and has been signed by the Governor. The budget and fee increases go into effect July 1, 2025.
Our mission at OSBN to protect the public is best realized when we ensure that our nursing workforce has full access to the Oregon Wellness Program and can participate in the Health Professional Services Program. Moreover, by updating the Investigations Department structure, we can better serve the public and our licensees alike. Therefore, the increase in licensing fees is not merely an adjustment; it is an essential investment in the safety and well-being of all Oregonians. Together, we can reinforce our dedication to protecting the public through regulatory excellence while promoting the wellness of our dedicated nursing professionals.
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