2025 Legislative Session:
VICTORY - HB2298 Passed!
We did it!
It wasn't easy and it took many years of perseverance to pass this important NP practice legislation. As you know, the bill passed the House and Senate only to be vetoed by Governor Stitt. But, we didn't give up. On the last day, in the 11th hour, the veto override passed the House and the Senate -- and the AONP team was there fighting every minute. Our deepest gratitude for the tireless work of the AONP legislative team, the APRN coalition members, and to all of the NPs who never gave up - thank you! The team's ability to tackle challenges and their persistence were key in getting this important legislation pushed over the finish line.
The law takes effect November, 2025. The Oklahoma Board of Nursing is responsible for administering the rules and implementation. We will email members information as it becomes available and what steps NPs need to take moving forward. Ensure your membership is current so you don't miss any emails from us.
- Questions about membership? Contact Susie Brown at susie@npofoklahoma.com
- Questions about legislative issues? Contact AONP's Executive Director, Benny Vanatta at benny@npofoklahoma.com
Note: AONP members receive regular email updates regarding the status of legislation and other important information. If you're not a member - join AONP, support this important work at npofoklahoma.com and stay informed!
JOIN US! We are STRONGER TOGETHER!
Oklahoma faces a health care crisis. Our state ranks 49th in physician-to-patient ratio, a fact that wouldn't surprise anyone who has waited two weeks for a doctor's appointment or who drives an hour or more for primary care. In 2023, Oklahoma's average ratio of people to primary care physicians was 1,650:1
Oklahomans deserve better access to affordable heath care. The Oklahoma legislature can join 27 other states, who have made this simple, common-sense change and increased health care access for their citizens. Oklahoma needs to remove these barriers and allow NPs and APRNs to utilize their full education and skills to care for Oklahomans.
Every state surrounding Oklahoma (aside from Texas), has removed practice barriers - which means Oklahoma loses health care providers to these bordering states. With better practice environments, Oklahoma APRNs are enticed to leave to these neighboring states where they can fully utilize their education and skills.
In Oklahoma, outdated regulations require nurse practitioners and other APRNs to have a letter from a physician on file, even though little or no collaboration occurs. Many NPs and other APRNs pay thousands of dollars a month just to have this letter on file, and that's money that could be used to hire staff or expand services.
Nurse practitioners, as well as other APRNs, have a master's degree or doctorate and can provide physical examinations, diagnose and treat acute and chronic problems, interpret laboratory results, prescribe and manage medications and more.
27 other states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have already done away with these antiquated requirements. It's time Oklahoma did as well! Oklahomans deserve better access to quality health care.
