A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Nursing is a Professional Degree Act," aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. It seeks to change the definition of a "professional student" by updating the definition of a "professional degree." The amendment clarifies that a professional degree signifies the completion of academic requirements to begin practice in a profession that often requires licensure and involves skills beyond a bachelor's degree. The bill specifically includes several types of degrees such as Pharmacy, Law, and Medicine. Notably, it explicitly includes Nursing degrees in this definition.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +3
Would students be better off under this?
The bill provides legal clarity for students pursuing advanced degrees in nursing and other specified professions.
- Scored +3
Does this make college cost less?
The bill updates the definition of a professional degree to include nursing, which clarifies the status of these students under the Higher Education Act.
- Scored +2
Would women be better off under this?
The inclusion of nursing degrees in the professional degree definition supports a field with a high proportion of female professionals.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Clarification of Professional Degrees: The bill defines a professional degree as one that signifies completion of requirements for beginning practice in a profession where licensure is commonly required and involves skills beyond a bachelor's degree (Section 2).
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Inclusion of Nursing: The bill specifically includes Nursing degrees, such as MSN, DNP, DNAP, or Ph.D., within the list of professional degrees (Section 2, clause (ii)(II)(ll)).
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Broad Scope for Other Professions: The definition allows for other degrees to be included if they meet the requirements of signifying academic completion for practice and professional skill levels, as determined by the Secretary (Section 2, clause (ii)(II)(mm)).
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List of Recognized Professional Degrees: The bill provides a specific list of degrees that qualify, including Pharmacy, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Chiropractic, Law, Medicine, Optometry, Osteopathic Medicine, Podiatric Medicine, Theology, and Clinical Psychology (Section 2, clause (ii)(II)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — The bill provides legal clarity for students pursuing advanced degrees in nursing and other specified professions. Would women be better off under this? — The inclusion of nursing degrees in the professional degree definition supports a field with a high proportion of female professionals.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill updates the definition of a professional degree to include nursing, which clarifies the status of these students under the Higher Education Act.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — By clarifying the professional status of nursing degrees, the bill supports the academic pathway for nursing professionals which is essential for healthcare delivery.
- 5/4/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Joyce BeattyDemocrat · Ohio
Jack BergmanRepublican · Michigan