Provides for the certification by the education department of certified registered nurse anesthetists

1 Co-sponsor

• Rich Funke

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to certification of certified registered nurse anesthetists

Purpose

The bill provides for the certification by the education department of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA).

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends the education law by establishing criteria for certification as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, including application filing, license requirements, education and certification fees.

This provision prohibits any individual other than certified persons from using the title "certified registered nurse anesthetist." Those currently practicing as certified registered nurse anesthetists would be "grandfathered" in order to include them under this act. This act does not apply to existing laws, rules, regulations or certification standards. The Commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the CRNA certification.

This section also provides that nothing in this section shall be construed to define a scope of practice or permit independent practice for certified registered nurse anesthetists or to alter the scope of practice of any certified or licensed practitioner or professional.

Section 2 sets forth the effective date.

Justification

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) play an essential role in providing high-quality, cost-effective care. They provide anesthesia services to all categories of patients, all types of surgical procedures and in all practice settings.

Protecting the title of CRNA is necessary to maintain safe patient care and to ensure that only those who are properly educated and qualified are performing CRNA services. Competencies for CRNA practice have been nationally validated and recognized. Numerous studies have demonstrated that CRNA Practice represents the highest level of safe quality care at the lowest cost to the patient and the system. Furthermore, with the health care environment growing increasingly complex due to new technologies and treatment modalities, title, recognition for CRNAs is essential for the public's protection.

This bill would protect the title "certified registered nurse anesthetist" and the designation "CRNA" to ensure that only those properly educated and prepared to be certified registered nurse anesthetists hold themselves out as such. The state would be able to identify those nurses who have been properly educated to provide specialized care and prohibit health care facilities from inappropriately utilizing unqualified persons in the CRNA role. Specifically, enacting this legislation will better enable the State Education Department to investigate claims of unlicensed practice and thus help the Department to fully protect the public from professional misconduct in this specialty area.

Legislative history

A.4228 of 2013 and 2014, referred to Higher Education. A.8392 of 2011 and 2012, referred to higher education in 2011 and passed the both houses in 2012. Same as S.5356 of 2013 and 2014, referred to Higher Education. S.5356 of 2011 and 2012, referred to higher education in 2011 and passed the both houses in 2012. Vetoed in 2012, Veto Message Number 165.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect 180 days after it shall have become law, except that subdivision 2 of section 6912 of the Education Law, as added by section one of this act shall take effect three years after this act shall have become a law.