The New Hampshire Board of Nursing is authorized in the New Hampshire Statutes Chapter 326-B Nurse Practice Act.
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/NHTOC/NHTOC-XXX-326-B.htm (accessed on 22.04.2009)
The Board of Nursing’s mission states: “In order to safeguard life, health, and the public welfare of the people of this state and in order to protect the people of the state of New Hampshire from the unauthorized, unqualified, and improper application of services by individuals in the practice of nursing, it is necessary that a regulatory authority be established and adequately funded. To further this policy the practice of nursing shall be regulated through the New Hampshire Board of nursing, and said Board shall have the power to enforce the provisions of this chapter. Any persons who practice or offer to practice nursing or who represent themselves as registered nurses or licensed practical nurses without qualifying under this chapter endanger the public health.”
http://www.nh.gov/nursing/about/mission.htm (accessed on 22.04.2009)