Requirements for licensure as a nurse anesthetist shall consist of the following:

(1)  Current licensure as a professional registered nurse in the state; and

(2)  Graduation from an educational program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs or its predecessors or successors, and that has as its objective preparation of nurses to practice nurse anesthesia; and

(3)  Initial certification by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists and Recertification, as applicable by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists or their predecessors or successors.

(4)  [Deleted by P.L. 2013, ch. 83, § 4 and P.L. 2013, ch. 93, § 4].

(5)  The requirements stated in subsections (2) and (3) of this section do not apply to a professional registered nurse who practices nursing in accordance with the provisions of the Nurse Practice Act, chapter 34 of this title, and who is enrolled as a bona fide student in an accredited nurse anesthesia program providing nurse anesthesia under the supervision of a certified registered nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist.

(6)  Beginning July 21, 1992, all nurse anesthetists shall be afforded the same period of time to become licensed. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no person practicing as a nurse anesthetist in Rhode Island on July 1, 1991, shall be required to obtain proper certification under this chapter. However, as required by subsection (3) of this section, persons who become certified under this section shall become recertified as applicable.