(a) In order to obtain authorization from the board of nursing to practice as a registered nurse anesthetist an individual shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Be licensed to practice professional nursing under the Kansas nurse practice act;

(2) has successfully completed a course of study in nurse anesthesia in a school of nurse anesthesia approved by the board;

(3) has successfully completed an examination approved by the board or has been certified by a national organization whose certifying standards are approved by the board as equal to or greater than the corresponding standards established under this act for obtaining authorization to practice as a registered nurse anesthetist; and

(4) be required to successfully complete a refresher course as defined in rules and regulations of the board if the individual has not been in active anesthesia practice for five years preceding the application.

(b) Approval of schools of nurse anesthesia shall be based on approval standards specified in Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 65-1133 and amendments thereto.

(c) Schools of nurse anesthesia approved by the board under this section shall offer, a masters level degree program in nurse anesthesia.

(d) For the purposes of determining whether an individual meets the requirements of item (2) of subsection (a), the board by rules and regulations shall establish criteria for determining whether a particular school of nurse anesthesia maintains standards which are at least equal to schools of nurse anesthesia which are approved by the board.