Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

What type of law governs the continuing education requirements for nursing license renewal?

1. Constitutional law

2. Legislation and regulation

3. Judicial and common law

4. Police power

The correct answer is: Legislation and regulation

The correct response stems from the structure of how nursing practices and requirements are governed within the healthcare system. Continuing education for nursing license renewal is primarily governed by legislation and regulation. This means that specific statutes and regulations, often enacted by state legislatures and governed by nursing boards, dictate the educational requirements nurses must meet to maintain their licensure. Legislative bodies pass laws that define the standards for nursing practice, including requirements for continuing education. Following the establishment of these laws, regulatory agencies then create detailed rules and procedures for implementation. This ensures that nurses remain competent and up-to-date with the latest developments in healthcare, thereby protecting public health and safety. Other forms of law, like constitutional law or judicial and common law, pertain to broader legal principles and case law rather than the specific regulatory needs of professional licensing. Police power refers to the state's inherent authority to regulate behavior and enforce order for the welfare of the public, which underpins the need for licensure but does not specifically dictate continuing education alone. Hence, legislation and regulation are the most relevant to the requirements for nursing license renewal.