About Us

The California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (Board) protects the consumer from unprofessional and unsafe licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) and psychiatric technicians (PTs). Public protection is the highest priority of the Board in exercising its licensing, regulatory and disciplinary functions.

To protect the public, the Board:

• Establishes the minimum requirements for examination and licensure.
• Establishes educational standards for the approval of Vocational Nursing (VN) and Psychiatric Technicians (PT) schools in California.
• Adopts regulations to clarify the performance, practice and disciplinary standards for its licensees.
• Enforces the regulations governing the continued approval of VN & PT schools in California.
• Enforces the regulations governing LVNs and PTs by taking appropriate disciplinary action against incompetent or unsafe licensees efficiently and effectively.

The Board is composed of eleven members with a public member majority (i.e., 6 public members and 5 professional members). Nine members are appointed by the Governor, one by the Speaker of the Assembly and one by the Senate Pro Tempore.

History

Established in 1951 (Vocational Nurse Program) and 1959 (Psychiatric Technician Program); the Board is responsible for administering the laws related to the practice of licensed vocational nurses and psychiatric technicians. In 1970, the Psychiatric Technician certification was changed to a licensure program based upon passage of Senate Bill 298.

Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) provide basic bedside nursing care to clients under the direction of a physician or registered nurse. The LVN utilizes scientific and technical expertise and manual skills. Duties within the scope of practice of an LVN typically include, but are not limited to, provision of basic hygienic and nursing care; measurement of vital signs; basic client assessment; documentation; performance of prescribed medical treatments; administration of prescribed medications; and, performance of non-medicated intravenous therapy and blood withdrawal (requires separate Board certification.)

Psychiatric Technicians (PTs) provide care for mentally disordered or developmentally disabled clients under the director of the services. The director may be a physician, psychologist, rehabilitation therapist, social worker, registered nurse or other professional personnel. The PT utilizes scientific and technical expertise and manual skills to provide care and training for clients with mental disorders and developmental disabilities. Duties within the scope of practice of a PT typically include, but are not limited to, basic hygiene and nursing care; measurement of vital signs; performance of prescribed medical treatments; administration of prescribed medications; implementation of behavioral management techniques; crisis intervention; sensory and perceptual development assessment; social and vocational training; and, the facilitation of individual and group therapeutic activities.