N:\ AZBN POLICIES- PROCEDURES\ SUBSTANTIVE POLICIES & POSITION PAPERS\ Christian Science Nurse\ Christian Science Nurse. doc
Arizona State Board of Nursing
Substantive Policy Statement
Arizona Revised Statue 32- 1631 Provides Exemption
Christian Science Nurse
March 2009
This Substantive Policy Statement is advisory only. A Substantive Policy Statement does not include
internal procedural documents that only affect the internal procedures of the agency and does not impose
additional requirements or penalties on the regulated parties or include confidential information or rules
made in accordance with the Arizona Administrative Procedures Act. If you believe that this Substantive
Policy Statement does impose additional requirements or penalties on regulated parties you may petition the
agency under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 41- 1033 for a review of the statement. ( ARS § 41- 1091)
Arizona Revised Statutes currently provides that “ Christian Science Nurses” who perform religious
services are exempt from the Nurse Practice Act. This substantive policy clarifies their exemption.
A “ Christian Science Nurse” who performs religious services is exempt from the nurse practice act as it
relates to title protection. A person working as a “ Christian Science Nurse” would not be subject to
enforcement action for using the full title “ Christian Science Nurse” and could lawfully use that full title
while providing services that fall within the exemption in ARS 32- 1631. A “ Christian Science Nurse”
could not use the abbreviated title, “ Nurse” unless also currently licensed to practice in Arizona or
another Compact state as an RN or LPN.
Arizona State Government Publications
