Rep. Gillespie files bill in North Carolina House to expand school nurse qualifications

A new bill filed by State Rep. Karl E. Gillespie in the North Carolina House seeks to broaden eligibility for school nurses by permitting registered nurses with relevant experience to serve in schools, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 433 on March 18 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Registered Nurses in Schools.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill allows licensed registered nurses with at least two years of experience in a hospital or health clinic to serve as school nurses without needing a four-year degree or additional certification. The registered nurses will be compensated under the certified school nurse pay scale determined by the State Board of Education. Additionally, the State Board of Education is authorized to adopt temporary rules to implement the act until permanent rules are established. The bill becomes effective upon becoming law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Donna McDowell White proposed the most bills (21) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Gillespie, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 120th House district, replacing previous state representative Kevin Corbin.