Legis Daily

Nursing is a Professional Degree Act

USA119th CongressHR-8659| House 
| Updated: 5/4/2026
Jennifer A. Kiggans

Jennifer A. Kiggans

Republican Representative

Virginia

Cosponsors (2)
Joyce Beatty (Democratic)Jack Bergman (Republican)

Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise the definition of a professional degree, impacting how certain students are classified. It removes a specific reference to a Code of Federal Regulations section that previously defined professional students. The legislation establishes a new, comprehensive definition for a professional degree . This definition encompasses degrees that signify completion of academic requirements for beginning practice in a profession, typically requiring licensure, and demonstrate a level of professional skill beyond a bachelor's degree. Significantly, the bill explicitly adds various master's and doctoral degrees in nursing (MSN, DNP, DNAP, or Ph.D) to the list of recognized professional degrees, alongside other fields like Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Law, while also allowing the Secretary to include other qualifying degrees.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 4, 2026
Introduced in House
May 4, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • May 4, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • May 4, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Health

Related Bills

  • HR 119-8691: Nursing is a Professional Degree Act

Nursing is a Professional Degree Act

USA119th CongressHR-8659| House 
| Updated: 5/4/2026
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise the definition of a professional degree, impacting how certain students are classified. It removes a specific reference to a Code of Federal Regulations section that previously defined professional students. The legislation establishes a new, comprehensive definition for a professional degree . This definition encompasses degrees that signify completion of academic requirements for beginning practice in a profession, typically requiring licensure, and demonstrate a level of professional skill beyond a bachelor's degree. Significantly, the bill explicitly adds various master's and doctoral degrees in nursing (MSN, DNP, DNAP, or Ph.D) to the list of recognized professional degrees, alongside other fields like Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Law, while also allowing the Secretary to include other qualifying degrees.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 4, 2026
Introduced in House
May 4, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • May 4, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • May 4, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Jennifer A. Kiggans

Jennifer A. Kiggans

Republican Representative

Virginia

Cosponsors (2)
Joyce Beatty (Democratic)Jack Bergman (Republican)

Education and Workforce Committee

Health

Related Bills

  • HR 119-8691: Nursing is a Professional Degree Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted