(a) The board may certify a licensed registered nurse as a clinical nurse specialist if the nurse satisfies the requirements established by this act. Certification of a clinical nurse specialist by the board shall expire on the same date as the license of that nurse expires. Beginning on the effective date of this section, a nurse shall not qualify for initial certification by the board unless the nurse holds a master's degree, doctoral degree or post-master's certificate from an educational program in nursing that has been approved by the board and that prepares graduates to practice as a clinical nurse specialist and:

(b) Individuals who completed an educational program in a related discipline previously recognized for national certification as a clinical nurse specialist from a board-recognized national certification organization shall be issued certification by the board upon:

(c) As a condition of biennial certificate renewal by the board, a clinical nurse specialist shall:

(d) For certification under this act, a licensed registered nurse shall file a board-prepared application with the board and pay a fee as established by the board by regulation.

(e) A clinical nurse specialist practicing in this Commonwealth shall maintain a level of professional liability coverage as required for a nonparticipating health care provider under the act of March 20, 2002 (P.L. 154, No. 13),² known as the “Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act,” and shall not be eligible to participate in the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Fund.