Beginning on July 1, 2019, in addition to all other powers and duties now vested by law in the State Department of Education, it is hereby empowered and required, acting in this behalf by and through its Division of Vocational Education, to:
1. Contract with the Mississippi Board of Nursing to establish by rules and regulations and promulgate uniform standards for the accreditation of schools of practical nursing in this state insofar as concerns the eligibility of graduates of such schools to take the examination to become licensed practical nurses;
2. Contract with the Mississippi Board of Nursing to issue to such schools certificates of accreditation as may be proper under such standards.