This study described the nurse staffing standards in nursing homes in all states and the District of Columbia in 2000 to 2001. An Internet survey of state statutes and regulations and a structured telephone survey of state officials were used to collect data for this descriptive study. Almost half of the states had higher licensed nurse (registered nurse and licensed vocational nurse) requirements than the federal government and 33 states had established minimum state requirements for direct care workers (including nursing assistants). Thirteen states had increased their state standards in the 1999 to 2001 period. Federal standards for nursing homes lag behind those in many states.