WA SB5051

Transfers regulatory authority for nursing assistants from the Secretary of Health to the Washington State Board of Nursing, giving the board power to issue registrations, certifications, and medication assistant endorsements, as well as exercise disciplinary authority

Expands the Board of Nursing from 15 to 17 members by adding two certified nursing assistant members and one registered nurse or licensed practical nurse member who works as a nursing assistant training program director or educator, while reducing licensed practical nurse seats from three to two

Grants the Board of Nursing authority to establish forms, procedures, competency evaluations, approve training programs, set education requirements, and adopt rules for nursing assistants under chapter 18.88A RCW

Repeals RCW 18.88A.100 (waiver of examination for initial applications) and removes obsolete transitional language from the 1990s regarding initial implementation

Takes effect July 1, 2026, with section 2 (incorporating 2024 amendments to board terminology) taking effect June 30, 2027