# R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-8: Certified nurse-teacher

> Rhode Island · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-8

## Section

- **Citation:** R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-8
- **Heading:** Certified nurse-teacher
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-8

## Text

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, each school system shall employ certified nurse-teacher personnel certified by the state department of elementary and secondary education; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to those school districts that are currently allowed to share certified nurse-teacher personnel by the department of elementary and secondary education. The school health program as defined in § 16-21-7 shall only be staffed by certified nurse-teacher personnel.

(b) Any person who, as of August 1, 2021, is employed in a Rhode Island school district pursuant to an all grades registered school nurse certificate, but who does not meet the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, shall be deemed grandfathered into that school district and may continue to be employed pursuant to that all grades registered school nurse certificate within that same school district. If a person so employed seeks employment in another Rhode Island school district as a school nurse-teacher after August 1, 2021, that person shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Each elementary or secondary school with a school-based health center on site shall employ or have on staff certified nurse-teacher personnel certified by the state department of elementary and secondary education to be on site and/or available for consultation, at a minimum, during the school-based health center hours of operation.

## Nearby sections

- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-1 § 16-21-1. Transportation of public and private school pupils.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-1.1 § 16-21-1.1. Student registration for transportation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-1.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-3 § 16-21-3. Standards for school building.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-3.1 § 16-21-3.1. Approval.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-3.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-4 § 16-21-4. Fire, evacuation, and lockdown drills required  Failure to comply.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-4.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-5 § 16-21-5. Uniform fire code or drill tactics  Reports.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-5.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-5.1 § 16-21-5.1. Carbon monoxide detectors required in school buildings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-5.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-7 § 16-21-7. School health.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-7.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-7.1 § 16-21-7.1. Unhealthy food and beverage advertising prohibited in schools.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-7.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-8 § 16-21-8. Certified nurse-teacher.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-8.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-9 § 16-21-9. Health examinations and dental screenings  Reports  Records.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-9.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-10 § 16-21-10. Scoliosis screening.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-10.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-12 § 16-21-12. Dental treatment provided by town or city.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-12.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-14 § 16-21-14. Hearing, speech, and vision screenings  Records  Statewide hearing screening program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-8. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
