Compact with Texans

The Compact with Texans was originally enacted during the 76th Texas Legislative Session through Senate Bill 1563, later re-numbered as Texas Government Code 2114.006, by Acts 2001, 77th Legislature, ch. 1420, sec. 21.001(70), (1999). The Compact provides information to the public, consumers, and customers regarding an agency’s mission, programs, principles and standards of customer service, helpful contact information, and procedures for receiving and responding to public complaints. Each agency is required to create a Compact with Texans and publish it on its website.

About the Agency

The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is a state regulatory agency. The mission of the BON is to protect and promote the welfare of the people of Texas by ensuring that each person holding a license as a nurse in the State of Texas is competent to practice safely. The BON fulfills its mission through the regulation of the practice of nursing and the approval of nursing education programs. This mission, derived from the Nursing Practice Act (NPA), supersedes the interest of any individual, the nursing profession, or any special interest group.

The BON strives to meet its mission by processing licensure applications for qualified applicants in a cost effective and timely manner; ensuring that nursing education programs are in compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements; and investigating and resolving all written complaints regarding sub-standard nursing practice and non-compliance. The BON also refers complaints to other regulatory agencies, as appropriate, for investigation and resolution.

Licensing

The BON licenses nurses (licensed vocational nurses and registered nurses) as new graduates through examination and endorsement from other states. All nurses are required to renew their license on a biennial basis with evidence of required continuing nursing education. The BON also licenses qualified registered nurses to enter practice as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse midwives.

The processing time required for most licensing services is 10 working days from receipt of all required documents, but is often accomplished more quickly. Eligibility issues that may affect licensure, however, may lengthen this time line substantially because they must be referred to the Enforcement Department for further investigation and resolution.

More information regarding the BON’s licensure process may be found here:  https://www.bon.texas.gov/licensure_eligibility.asp

Enforcement

The BON enforces the NPA by setting minimum standards for nursing practice and nursing education, conducting investigations of complaints against nurses, and resolving complaints. This is most often accomplished through informal settlement or alternative dispute resolution. However, if a case is unable to be settled informally, the case will proceed to a formal, contested resolution through the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

An investigation typically takes five (5) to twelve (12) months to complete, depending on the circumstances. While numerous factors beyond the control of BON staff and the nurse under investigation affect complaint resolution time, case resolution time is diligently monitored and internal processes are routinely reviewed and often improved to ensure complaints are resolved as quickly as possible. Both the complainant and the nurse being investigated are notified periodically of the status of each investigation, and all complainants are notified of the final outcomes of investigations, unless a special exception applies. 

More information regarding the BON’s enforcement process may be found here: https://www.bon.texas.gov/discipline_and_complaints_what_happens_when_a_complaint_gets_filed.asp

Nursing Education Program

The BON approves schools of nursing that prepare nurses for initial entry into nursing practice. The BON also approves new APRN programs not accredited by a national nursing accreditation agency. At the present time, 107 professional schools of nursing are approved by the BON and 97 vocational schools of nursing are approved by the BON.
More information regarding the BON’s services related to nursing education programs may be found here: https://www.bon.texas.gov/education_programs.asp.

Customer Service

The BON is committed to providing quality customer service. In pursuit of that commitment, the BON will:

• Provide excellent and timely service to customers;
• Provide customers with accurate and timely information;
• Treat customers with courtesy and respect; and
• Strive for continuous improvement in all of the services delivered.

The BON provides information to its customers in a variety of ways.

How to Contact the BON

Customer Service representatives are available by phone from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.  You may always speak to a customer service representative if you do not wish to use the BON’s automated phone system services.

Complaint Handling Process

The BON is committed to listen to your requests, understand your concerns, to serve you well, and to be receptive to suggestions. If you have a compliment or complaint about the services provided by the BON, please review the BON’s policy, Registering A Complaint Against the BON.

Complaints regarding services provided by the BON may be submitted by mail, fax, or e-mail, to:

Patricia Vianes-Cabrera, Executive Assistant
Texas Board of Nursing
333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-460
Austin, TX 78701
Fax: 512-305-8101
E-mail: Patricia.Vianes-Cabrera@bon.texas.gov

E-Prescribing Waiver Form Available Neighbor Scam Alert DEA Phone Scam Address Changes to be submitted through Nurse Portal COVID-19 Information Beware of Scam Tactics Utilized During the COVID-19 Outbreak Telephone Scam Alert Notice of Proposed NLC Rulemaking Notice to Licensees Who Bill for Services: Texas Department of Insurance has Adopted Emergency Rules related to Balance Billing Opioid prescribing CE opportunity for APRNs Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Updates Implementation of Required Prescription Monitoring Program Checks Delayed Until March Board Meetings Calendar of Events Board of Nursing Complaint Process: Investigation to Resolution