Official Board policy states that the BONENT Executive Office:

• Can only speak to exam applicants regarding application details.
• May not discuss any application with managers, supervisors educators, co-workers or family members.

One of the core principles of BONENT is that “better trained and educated practitioners leads to improved quality of care for dialysis patients.” Therefore, it is the position of BONENT to encourage the certification of all nephrology professionals.

The BONENT Legislative Committee works with various government organizations to require certification of those who provide dialysis care in all states by working:

• With the legislative branch of state governments to pass laws that make certification essential to the practice of nephrology care; and,
  
• To assist the executive branch of state governments in the implementation of the law through rule writing.

The Legislative Committee also mentors "grassroots" efforts to encourage elected officials to begin the process that leads to enacting new laws. The committee assists these groups in how to:

• Contact and approach their elected officials;
  
• Prepare to testify before appropriate committees; and,
  
• Continue to press for reform.

The membership of BONENT (currently certified individuals) and its Regional Representatives are critical components in keeping BONENT legislative efforts up-to-date, so that the BONENT position on pending laws is expressed in a timely manner.

Representatives of BONENT are available to present – or to advise others on – presentation before federal or state legislative committees currently involved in the development of laws or the rules that may eventually be put into practice.

If, as a member, you hear of a change – or even rumors of a change – in your state, we ask that you contact the BONENT Legislative Committee Chair (Lyle Smith, BSN, CNN, CPDN; E-Mail: Lyle_BONENT@msn.com). Please, do not assume that BONENT has heard of all new efforts in your state legislature. It is through you that BONENT can be its most effective in promoting certification and licensure.

Legislative Mandates for Certification
In several states, BONENT certification or state certification is required for technicians who perform certain patient care procedures. It is incumbent upon certification applicants to familiarize themselves with any state licensure requirements for the state in which they intend to be certified.