{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-occupations-code-301.251","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Occupations Code § 301.251","heading":"LICENSE REQUIRED.","body":"(a) A person may not practice or offer to practice professional nursing or vocational nursing in this state unless the person is licensed as provided by this chapter.\n(b) Unless the person holds a license under this chapter, a person may not use, in connection with the person's name:\n(1) the title \"Registered Nurse,\" \"Professional Nurse,\" \"Licensed Vocational Nurse,\" \"Vocational Nurse,\" \"Licensed Practical Nurse,\" \"Practical Nurse,\" or \"Graduate Nurse\";\n(2) the abbreviation \"R.N.,\" \"L.V.N.,\" \"V.N.,\" \"L.P.N.,\" or \"P.N.\"; or\n(3) any other designation tending to imply that the person is a licensed registered nurse or vocational nurse.\n(c) This section does not apply to a person entitled to practice nursing in this state under Chapter 304.\n(d) Unless the person holds a license under this chapter, a person may not use, in connection with the person's name:\n(1) the title \"nurse\"; or\n(2) any other designation tending to imply that the person is licensed to provide nursing care.\nActs 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.122(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 553, Sec. 1.014, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 876, Sec. 2, eff. June 20, 2003.\nAmended by:\nActs 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 113 (S.B. 1000), Sec. 5, eff. May 20, 2005.","path":["OCCUPATIONS CODE","TITLE 3. HEALTH PROFESSIONS","SUBTITLE E. REGULATION OF NURSING","CHAPTER 301. NURSES","SUBCHAPTER F. LICENSE REQUIREMENTS"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/OC/htm/OC.301.htm#301.251","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:31Z","sha256":"049cdc9d8ae07e751c453c21146bc782286224733b1f0e3a9937e9e86f2ffe27","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-occupations-code-301.207","next":"us-tx/tex.-occupations-code-301.2511"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}