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The Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) has released regulations enabling nurse practitioners (NPs) in specified settings to practice without standardized procedures, expanding access to critically needed health care across California.
The regulations stem from the passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 890 (Wood, Ch. 2020), which took effect Jan. 1 and created two new categories of NPs,commonly referred to as 103 NPs and 104 NPs. A 103 NP will work under the provisions outlined in Business and Professions Code Section 2837.103. This new category of NP can work without standardized procedures, in specific group settings identified in the statute with at least one physician and surgeon, within the population focus of their national certification.
A 104 NP will work under the provisions outlined in Business and Professions Code Section 2837.104. This category of NP can work without standardized procedures, outside of a group setting, within the population focus of their national certification.
The law requires an NP to first work as a 103 NP in good standing for at least three years prior to becoming a 104 NP. Therefore, the application to become a 104 NP will not be available until 2026.
The new authority under AB 890 is not automatically granted to NPs in California. NPs who wish to practice without standardized procedures must submit an application to the BRN for a special certification. Licensees interested in obtaining certification are encouraged to visit the board’s website for more information.