HB 2155 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning the use of nursing titles.

This bill restricts the use of specific nursing titles in Washington State to only licensed professionals. It prohibits anyone without a valid license from using titles like "registered nurse" (R.N.), "nurse practitioner" (N.P.), or "licensed practical nurse" (L.P.N.), including nonhuman entities like businesses. Christian Science nurses listed in their official journal may still use "Christian Science nurse" if they don’t claim other nursing credentials. The law expires June 30, 2027, after taking effect on the same date.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Dec 16, 2025 Signed Mar 9, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill → Passed Legislature · 3 edits

MINOR

The document added a formal certification of enrollment confirming that House Bill 2155 was passed by both the House and Senate in the 2026 Regular Session. This change transforms the text from a draft bill into an official legislative record signed by the Chief Clerk and Secretary of State.

TECHNICAL

Added a certification block confirming the bill passed the House on February 11, 2026, and the Senate on February 26, 2026, with specific vote counts.

Included signatures and titles for the Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, Chief Clerk, and Secretary of State to validate the bill's passage.

Changed the header from a draft identifier (H-2551.1) to the official title 'CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT' and updated the footer to reflect the bill has 'Passed Legislature'.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 26, 2026 · House Feb 11, 2026

How they voted

48–2

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 51

Feb 26, 2026

D Democratic31

30 Yea 1

96% Yea

R Republican20

18 Yea 2 Nay

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 9, 2026

Signed into law

Governor signed.

executive

Feb 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Feb 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (48-2-1)

senate

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

HLTC - Majority; do pass.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 8:00 AM.

upper

Feb 11, 2026

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (89-8-3)

house

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

HCW - Majority; do pass.

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 8:00 AM.

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 1:30 PM.

lower

1 primary · 11 co-sponsors