1. (a) A person who holds a valid current license issued by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners may use the title registered nurse or RN.
2. (b) Candidates for the State Board Test Pool Examination holding a valid permit may use the initials GN or the title graduate nurse.
3. (c) A person who is eligible for licensure by endorsement in Texas, holding a valid Texas permit, may use the title registered nurse or RN.
4. (d) No other person, other than designated in subsections (a)-(c) of this section, may use, where applicable, titles or abbreviations such as staff nurse, head nurse, charge nurse, supervisor of nursing or nurses, or any other title tending to imply to the public that the person holds a license to practice professional nursing in Texas.
5. (e) Any person other than as permitted by law or rule who uses any of the titles or abbreviations mentioned in this section deemed by the board as misleading or implying that the individual is a licensed professional nurse may be subject to potential violation or prosecution under the applicable law.
6. (f) If a registered nurse holds herself or himself out to the public as being engaged in the practice of professional nursing, or uses the term registered nurse or RN or any combination or variation of those terms and abbreviations, alone or in combination with any other terms, then they must practice in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act and the rules and regulations relating to professional nurse education, licensure, and practice.

Source Note:The provisions of this §217.12 adopted to be effective April 11, 1978, 3 TexReg 1115; amended to be effective April 23, 1992, 17 TexReg 2605.