# Idaho Code § 54-1401: 54-1401 PURPOSE — LICENSE REQUIRED — REPRESENTATION TO THE PUBLIC

> Idaho · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1401

## Section

- **Citation:** Idaho Code § 54-1401
- **Heading:** 54-1401 PURPOSE — LICENSE REQUIRED — REPRESENTATION TO THE PUBLIC
- **Jurisdiction:** Idaho
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Idaho Code / Title 54 / Chapter 14 / Section 54-1401

## Text

54-1401. Purpose — License required — Representation to the public. In order to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare, it is in the public interest to regulate and control nursing in the state of Idaho, to promote quality health care services, to prohibit unqualified and dishonest persons from practicing nursing, and to protect against acts or conduct that may endanger the health and safety of the public.

(1) License required. It shall be unlawful for any person to practice nursing or offer to practice nursing unless that person is duly licensed pursuant to this chapter.

(2) Representation to the public. Only a person who holds a valid and current license to practice registered nursing in this state or a party state pursuant to sections 54-1408 and 54-1418, Idaho Code, may use the title "nurse," "registered nurse," "graduate nurse" or "professional nurse" or the abbreviation "RN" or any other designations, titles or abbreviations to indicate that the person is practicing nursing in this state. Only a person who holds a valid and current license to practice practical nursing in this state or a party state pursuant to sections 54-1407 and 54-1418, Idaho Code, may use the title "nurse," "licensed practical nurse," or the abbreviation "LPN" or any other designations, titles or abbreviations to indicate that the person is practicing nursing in this state.

(3) All applicants for original licensure and for license reinstatement shall submit to a fingerprint-based criminal history check in accordance with section 67-9411A, Idaho Code.

History:

[54-1401, added 1977, ch. 132, sec. 2, p. 280; am. 2003, ch. 188, sec. 1, p. 510; am. 2004, ch. 268, sec. 1, p. 751; am. 2008, ch. 67, sec. 1, p. 172; am. 2012, ch. 142, sec. 1, p. 371; am. 2014, ch. 44, sec. 1, p. 116; am. 2024, ch. 101, sec. 1, p. 447.]

## Nearby sections

- [Idaho Code § 54-1401 54-1401 PURPOSE — LICENSE REQUIRED — REPRESENTATION TO THE PUBLIC.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1401.md)
- [Idaho Code § 54-1402 54-1402 DEFINITIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1402.md)
- [Idaho Code § 54-1403 54-1403 BOARD OF NURSING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1403.md)
- [Idaho Code § 54-1404 54-1404 BOARD OF NURSING — POWERS AND DUTIES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1404.md)
- [Idaho Code § 54-1405 54-1405 OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES FUND — RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1405.md)
- [Idaho Code § 54-1406 54-1406 NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAMS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1406.md)
- [Idaho Code § 54-1406A 54-1406A CERTIFIED MEDICATION ASSISTANT.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1406A.md)
- [Idaho Code § 54-1407 54-1407 LICENSE FOR PRACTICAL NURSING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1407.md)
- [Idaho Code § 54-1408 54-1408 LICENSE FOR REGISTERED NURSING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1408.md)
- [Idaho Code § 54-1409 54-1409 LICENSE FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1409.md)
- [Idaho Code § 54-1410 54-1410 NURSE EMERITUS LICENSE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1410.md)
- [Idaho Code § 54-1410A 54-1410A TEMPORARY LICENSE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1410A.md)
- [Idaho Code § 54-1411 54-1411 RENEWAL AND REINSTATEMENT OF LICENSE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1411.md)
- [Idaho Code § 54-1411A 54-1411A PRECEPTORS — CONTINUING EDUCATION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1411A.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T54_C14_S54-1401. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
