National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
In the United States the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. is a national body concerned with the regulation of nursing. The NCSBN composed of Member Board, provides leadership to advance regulatory excellence for public protection. https://www.ncsbn.org/index.htm (accessed on 22.04.2009).

The (NCSBN) is not established and empowered under nursing legislation, it is a not-for-profit organization whose membership comprises the boards of nursing in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and four United States territories-American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands.

The purpose of NCSBN is to provide an organization through which boards of nursing act and counsel together on matters of common interest and concern affecting the public health, safety and welfare, including the development of licensing examinations in nursing. https://www.ncsbn.org/about.htm (accessed on 22.04.2009)

Boards of Nursing are state governmental agencies that are responsible for the regulation of nursing practice in each respective state. Boards of Nursing are authorized to enforce the Nurse Practice Act, develop administrative rules/regulations and other responsibilities per the Nurse Practice Act.

Any state board of nursing that agrees to use one or more NCSBN Licensing Examinations under the terms and conditions specified by NCSBN and pays the required fees may be a member of NCSBN ("Member Board"). https://www.ncsbn.org/boards.htm (accessed on 22.04.2009)