§ 6911. Certification as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS). 1. For issuance of a certificate to practice as a clinical nurse specialist under section six thousand nine hundred two of this article, the applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:

(a) file an application with the department;

(b) be licensed as a registered professional nurse in this state;

(c) (i) have satisfactorily completed an educational program registered by the department including a master's or doctoral degree, or a post-master's certificate from a program acceptable to the department which prepares graduates to practice as CNSs and which is accredited by a national nursing accredited body acceptable to the department, and (ii) meets all other requirements established by the department to practice as a clinical nurse specialist, or (iii) have received educational preparation determined by the department to be the substantial equivalent of subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph; and

(d) pay a fee to the department of fifty dollars for each initial certificate authorizing clinical nurse specialist practice and a triennial registration fee of thirty dollars. Registration under this section shall be coterminous with the clinical nurse specialist's registration as a professional nurse. 2. Only a person certified under this section shall use the title "clinical nurse specialist" or the designation "CNS".