Rhode Island State Policy Fact Sheet
Nurse Practice Act: RI ST § 5-34-1.1
Regulatory Structure: Full Practice
State practice and licensure laws authorize nurse practitioners (NPs) to evaluate patients, diagnose and prescribe medications and therapeutic measures.
RI ST § 5-34-44
Regulatory Agency
NP practice is regulated by the Board of Nursing (BON).
RI ST § 5-34-4
Licensure Requirements
Requirements include an RN license, a graduate degree in an NP role and national certification.
RI ST § 5-34-45
Continuing Education (CE)*
Ten CE hours are required every two years. See the BON for details.
RI ADC 31-5-28:8.0
Malpractice Insurance
Rhode Island NPs are required to maintain malpractice insurance in the amount of $100,000 per claim and $300,000 in the aggregate.
RI ST § 42-14.1-2
Medical Staff Membership**
Medical staff is composed in accordance with hospital bylaws.
RI ADC 31-4-18:8.0
Primary Care Providers
NPs are defined in law as Primary Care Providers.
RI ST § 5-34-3
Signature Recognition on Items of Patient Care
- Signature Authority: Rhode Island grants NPs Signature Authority.
RI ST § 5-34-42 - Physical Therapy: NPs are authorized to refer to physical therapy.
RI ST § 5-34-49 - Parking Permits: NPs are authorized to provide proof of disability for disabled parking permits.
RI ST § 5-34-42 - DNR: NPs are authorized to sign Do Not Resuscitate orders.
RI ST § 23-4.11-3 - Death Certificates: NPs are authorized to sign death certificates.
RI ST § 5-34-42 - Provider Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)/Medical Orders for Life-sustaining Treatment (MOLST): Rhode Island's MOLST form may be signed by an NP.
RI ST § 23-4.11-2
*Contact hours in specific topics may be required. Please contact your state Board of Nursing for current information.
**Medical Staff Membership refers to governing and voting privileges and is not reflective of clinical or admitting privileges within institutions.
DISCLAIMER: The material contained in this fact sheet is offered as information only and not as practice, financial, accounting, legal or other professional advice. Correspondents must contact their own professional advisors for such advice.
Updated November 25, 2019