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Nursing is a Professional Degree Act

USA119th CongressS-4568| Senate 
| Updated: 5/19/2026
Jeff Merkley

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (5)
Cynthia M. Lummis (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Nursing is a Professional Degree Act" proposes to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 by introducing a formal definition for the term "professional degree." This amendment aims to clarify which academic programs qualify as professional for the purposes of the Act, potentially impacting student loan eligibility or other federal aid considerations. The bill defines a professional degree as one that signifies both the completion of academic requirements for beginning practice in a profession, often requiring licensure, and a level of professional skill beyond that typically required for a bachelor's degree. Significantly, it explicitly lists a range of degrees, including Pharmacy, Dentistry, Law, Medicine, and various nursing degrees such as MSN, DNP, DNAP, and Ph.D. This comprehensive list also allows the Secretary to determine other degrees that meet the established criteria.
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Timeline
May 4, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-8659
Introduced in House
May 19, 2026
Introduced in Senate
May 19, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • May 4, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-8659
    Introduced in House


  • May 19, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 19, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Nursing is a Professional Degree Act

USA119th CongressS-4568| Senate 
| Updated: 5/19/2026
The "Nursing is a Professional Degree Act" proposes to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 by introducing a formal definition for the term "professional degree." This amendment aims to clarify which academic programs qualify as professional for the purposes of the Act, potentially impacting student loan eligibility or other federal aid considerations. The bill defines a professional degree as one that signifies both the completion of academic requirements for beginning practice in a profession, often requiring licensure, and a level of professional skill beyond that typically required for a bachelor's degree. Significantly, it explicitly lists a range of degrees, including Pharmacy, Dentistry, Law, Medicine, and various nursing degrees such as MSN, DNP, DNAP, and Ph.D. This comprehensive list also allows the Secretary to determine other degrees that meet the established criteria.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
May 4, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-8659
Introduced in House
May 19, 2026
Introduced in Senate
May 19, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • May 4, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-8659
    Introduced in House


  • May 19, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 19, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Jeff Merkley

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (5)
Cynthia M. Lummis (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted