The Honorable **Margaref** Rowland Opinion No. B-896

Executive Secretary Board ofNurse Examiners Re: Authority of the 7600 Chevy Chase, Suite 502 Board ofNurse Examiners Austin, Texas 78752 to accredit specialty programs innursing offered by colleges and universities.
Dear Mrs. Rowland:
You have requested our opinion regarding the authority of the Board ofNurse Examiners to accredit programs in nursing offered by colleges and universities. Section 1of article 4518,V.T.C.S., provides, in pertinent part:

It shall be theduty of the Board of Nurse Examiners toprescribe and publish theminimum requirements and standards for a course of study inprograms which prepare professional nurse practitioners. All other regulations necessary to conduct accredited schools of nursing and educational programs for the preparation ofprofessional nurses shall be asprescribed by the Board, provided, however, that theminimum period of time that the Board may require shall be at least two (2)calendar years and the maximum period of time shall not exceed four (4)calendar years. The Board shall accredit such schools of nursing and educational programs asmeet its requirements and shall deny orwithdraw accreditation from schools of nursing and educational programs which fail tomeet theprescribed course of study or other standards.

p. 3767The Honorable Margaret Rowland -page 2 (H-896)

The statute requires the Board ofNurse Examiners toprescribe "regulations necessary to conduct accredited schools of nursing and educational programs for thepreparation of professional nurses." It is the Board's further duty to accredit those schools and educational programs which conform to its regulations.
We believe that theBoard ofNurse Examiners is clearly empowered under article 4518 to accredit specialty programs innursing offered by colleges and universities. Such authority isnot in conflict with anypowers granted to the institutions themselves. The Coordinating Board of the Texas College and University System is, for example, empowered to initiate, consolidate or eliminate degree or certificate programs whenever itdeems such action tobe in the best interest of the institution and the State of Texas. Education Code, 5 61.051(e). The Board of Regents of theUniversity of Texas System "is authorized toprescribe courses leading to such customary degrees as are offered in other leading American nursing schools." Education Code, 8 74.402.
In our opinion, article 4518does not impinge upon the authority of an educational institution tooffer any course or program to nursing students or to require any course or program for the granting of adegree without regard to accreditation. Article 4518merely permits the Board ofNurse Examiners to establish "minimum requirements and standards" for accreditation of nursing programs and to accredit those programs which meet its standards. Thus, it is'our opinion that the Board ofNurse Examiners isauthorized toaccredit specialty programs innursing offered by colleges and universities.
SUMMARY

The Board ofNurse Examiners is authorized to accredit specialty programs innursing offered by colleges and universities. Very truly yours,

Attorney General of Texas

p. 3768The Honorable **Margaret** Rowland -page 3 (H-896)

DAVID M. KENDALL, First Asskstant

C. ROBERT HEATH, Chainan Opinion Committee jwb

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