(a) Except as otherwise provided in this title, to qualify for advanced practice certification, an applicant shall:

(1) Be of good moral character;

(2) Submit to a criminal history records check in accordance with § 8-303 of this subtitle; and

(3) Meet the requirements of this section.

(b) An applicant for certification as an advanced practice registered nurse shall:

(1) (i) Be a registered nurse; or

(ii) Have a multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing under the Nurse Licensure Compact;

(2) Complete an education program approved by the Board;

(3) Submit to the Board:

(i) A completed application for certification as an advanced practice registered nurse for each area in which certification is sought;

(ii) Documentation of:

1. An active license in good standing as a registered nurse in the State; or

2. A multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing under the Nurse Licensure Compact;

(iii) Documentation that the applicant has graduated from a graduate level accredited program for advanced practice registered nursing; and

(iv) Documentation of certification as an advanced practice registered nurse by a national certifying body recognized by the Board;

(4) Meet the English language competency requirements under § 8-302(e) of this subtitle; and

(5) Meet any other requirements set by the Board.

(c) An individual certified as a clinical nurse specialist who was certified by a national certifying body recognized by the Board before October 1, 2012, shall be deemed to meet the requirements for certification under subsection (b) of this section while the individual remains certified and in good standing.

(d) (1) An applicant for initial certification as a registered nurse practitioner who has not been certified by the Board or any other board of nursing shall identify on the application for certification a mentor who will consult and collaborate with the applicant for 18 months beginning on the date the application for certification is received by the Board.

(2) A certified registered nurse practitioner shall practice in accordance with the standards of practice of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners or any other national certifying body recognized by the Board.

(e) An advanced practice registered nurse who qualifies for certification by the Board by having a multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing under the Nurse Licensure Compact shall ensure, at all times, that the Board has current documentation of certification as an advanced practice registered nurse by a national certifying body as required under subsection (b)(3)(iv) of this section for the area of specialty for which the advanced practice registered nurse is certified by the Board.

(f) (1) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, an advanced practice registered nurse’s certification expires on the same date as the advanced practice registered nurse’s license to practice registered nursing.

(ii) The term of certification for an advanced practice registered nurse who qualifies for certification by the Board by having a multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing under the Nurse Licensure Compact:

1. Is 2 years; and

2. Expires on the 28th day of the birth month of the advanced practice registered nurse in an odd-numbered year for a birth date ending in an odd-numbered year or in an even-numbered year for a birth date ending in an even-numbered year.

(2) Before an advanced practice registered nurse’s certification expires, the advanced practice registered nurse may renew the certification for an additional 2-year term if the advanced practice registered nurse is otherwise entitled to be licensed.

(3) The Board may not renew the certification of an advanced practice registered nurse if the Board does not have documentation of the licensee’s current certification as an advanced practice registered nurse by a national certifying body recognized by the Board as required under subsection (b)(3)(iv) of this section for the area of specialty for which the advanced practice registered nurse is certified by the Board.