The Oregon State Board of Nursing safeguards the public's health and wellbeing by providing guidance for, and regulation of, entry into the profession, nursing education and continuing safe practice.

The Board of Nursing, with the help of its staff, determines licensure and certification requirements; interprets the Oregon Nurse Practice Act; evaluates and approves nursing education programs and nursing assistant training programs; issues licenses and renewals; investigates complaints and takes disciplinary action against nurses and nursing assistants who violate the Oregon Nurse Practice Act; maintains the nursing assistant registry; and, administers nursing assistant competency evaluations.