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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 2Ch. 6Art. 5§ 2800 Religious Nursing Exemptions

§ 2800 Religious Nursing Exemptions

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 2800 Religious Nursing Exemptions

Key Takeaways

  • •This law says some people don’t have to follow the usual nursing rules if they’re part of a well-known church or religion.
  • •These people can call themselves a 'nurse' if they’re helping the sick as part of their religious beliefs.
  • •They can’t use fancy titles like 'registered nurse' or 'R.N.' because that makes people think they’re licensed nurses.

Example

A person who is part of a church helps take care of sick people in their community as part of their religious duties.

This person can call themselves a 'nurse' because they’re helping the sick as part of their religion, but they can’t say they’re a 'registered nurse' or use 'R.N.' because they’re not licensed.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 2800 Religious Nursing Exemptions

None of the sections in this article, except Sections 2796 and 2797, shall be applicable to any person or persons specifically exempted from the general provisions of this act by Section 2731 hereof, or to schools conducted by any well-recognized church or denomination for the purpose of training the adherents of the church or denomination in the care of the sick in accordance with its religious tenets. An adherent of any well-recognized church or denomination who engages in nursing or the care of the sick in connection with the practice of the religious tenets of the well-recognized church or denomination may use the word “nurse” in connection with or following their name, provided they shall not use the title “registered nurse,” the letters “R.N.,” the words “graduate nurse,” “trained nurse,” “nurse anesthetist,” or any other name, word, or symbol in connection with or following their name so as to lead another or others to believe that they are a professional nurse licensed under the provisions of this chapter. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 510, Sec. 42. (SB 887) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

nurse,registered nurser.n.denominationschoolnursingnetlicense

Related Statutes

  • § 676 Exempt Training Programs
  • § 2736.6 Vocational Nurse Upgrade Requirements
  • § 2785 Approved Nursing Schools List
  • § 2786.1 Military Nursing Credit Requirements
  • § 2787 Nursing Faculty Approval Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 2800.
View Official Source