A registered nurse shall not qualify for initial certification by the Board unless the registered nurse holds a master’s degree, doctoral degree or post-masters certificate from an accredited educational program in nurse anesthesia that has been approved by the Board and that prepares graduates to practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist and: (1) holds current national certification as a certified registered nurse anesthetist from a Board-recognized national certification organization which required passing of a national certifying examination in nurse anesthesia; (2) submits an application and the required fee as established by the Board, and (3) complies with all other Board requirements to practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist.” [Pennsylvania Professional Nursing Law, sec. 8.8(b)]
Out-of-State Applicants: “A registered nurse who does not have a graduate degree as required under subsection (b) shall be qualified for certification as a certified registered nurse anesthetist if that registered nurse: (1) meets the educational requirements for certified registered nurse anesthetists that were in effect in this Commonwealth at the time the registered nurse completed a nurse anesthesia educational program; (2) submits evidence of recertification as a certified registered nurse anesthetist from a Board-recognized national certification organization which required passing of a national certifying examination in nurse anesthesia;…
(d) The Board may issue a certification as a certified registered nurse anesthetist to a licensed registered nurse who has completed a course of study considered by the Board to be equivalent to a course of study required in this Commonwealth under section 6.2 of this act and this section at the time the course was completed, or who is licensed or certified by another state, territory or possession of the United States or a foreign country as deemed equivalent to Pennsylvania’s certification requirements, and who has met all the requirements, including character, under this act.” [[Pennsylvania Professional Nursing Law, sec. 8.8(c) and (d)]
Until the announcement of the results of the first examination given for certification for which the noncertified registered nurse is eligible. Should a person fail to take or fail to pass the examination, the person shall immediately cease practicing as a nurse anesthetist. If the applicant, due to extenuating circumstances, cannot take the first scheduled examination following completion of the program, the applicant shall appeal to the Board for authority to continue practicing. [Rules and Regulations for Registered Nurses, sec. 21.17(5)]
New DEA MATE Act Requirements
Congress has passed the MATE Act requiring all CRNAs who need to renew or are applying for a DEA license to complete a one-time training (totaling 8 hours) on managing patients with substance use disorders. View our FAQs below to learn more about this requirement and for information about our new DEA Bundle to help you meet this requirement.
FAQs
‘Certified registered nurse anesthetist’ means a registered nurse licensed in this Commonwealth who is certified by the State Board of Nursing as a certified registered nurse anesthetist.” [Pennsylvania Professional Nursing Law, sec. 2(16)]