House Bill 399 would increase the maximum fees the North Carolina Board of Nursing may charge for a range of licensing-related services. The bill raises the caps for registered nurse and licensed practical nurse applications, endorsement applications, re-examinations, two-year renewals, reinstatement of lapsed licenses, and retired-status applications and reinstatements. It also preserves the Board’s authority to charge reasonable duplication fees and to assess disciplinary costs against nurses found in violation of the Nursing Practice Act.
The bill further directs that the Board may adopt temporary rules to implement the changes and makes the new fee limits effective October 1, 2025. The revised fee schedule applies to applications, renewals, and reinstatements submitted on or after that date. The bill does not change licensure standards or scope of practice; it focuses on the Board’s funding structure and fee authority.
Impact
H399 amends G.S. 90-171.27, the statute governing how the North Carolina Board of Nursing funds its operations and the maximum fees it may charge. It doubles or substantially increases several fee caps, which would affect nurses, applicants, and licensees seeking initial licensure, endorsement, renewal, reinstatement, or retired status. Because the Board is funded from fees rather than the State treasury, the bill would likely increase Board revenue and shift more of the cost of regulation onto regulated professionals.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears procedural and administrative rather than politically contentious. The measure is framed as a fee update for the Board of Nursing, suggesting a practical effort to align revenues with regulatory costs. No formal opposition, amendments, or recorded floor votes are included in the available context.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the higher cost to nurses and applicants, especially for renewals, reinstatements, endorsement, and retired-status processing. Supporters would likely view the increases as necessary to fund the Board’s operations and maintain regulatory services without using state tax dollars, while opponents could argue that the increases place a heavier financial burden on individual nurses and may be especially difficult for those returning to practice or maintaining inactive/retired status. No specific stakeholder positions or committee objections are provided in the available record.
State Board of Nursing - Advanced Practice Nursing Licensure and Specialty Certification - Reciprocity Discussions (Maryland Border States Advanced Practice Nursing Act)
State Board of Nursing - Advanced Practice Nursing Licensure and Specialty Certification - Reciprocity Discussions (Maryland Border States Advanced Practice Nursing Act)