Clinical Nurse Specialists

10.2.3.5 – Clinical Nurse Specialists (Rev. 13355; Issued: 08-13-25; Effective: 05-05-25; Implementation: 05-05-25) Federal regulations at 42 CFR § 410.76 state that a clinical nurse specialist must meet all of the following requirements: 1. Be a registered nurse who is currently licensed to practice in the state where the individual practices and be authorized to furnish the services of a clinical nurse specialist in accordance with state law. 2. Have a master’s degree in a defined clinical area of nursing from an accredited educational institution or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) doctoral degree; and 3. Be certified as a clinical nurse specialist by a recognized national certifying body that has established standards for clinical nurse specialists and that is approved by the Secretary. Pub. 100-02, chapter 15, section 210 states that CMS recognizes the following organizations as national certifying bodies for clinical nurse specialists at the advanced practice level: a. American Academy of Nurse Practitioners b. American Nurses Credentialing Center c. National Certification Corporation for Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties d. Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (previously named the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses) e. Oncology Nurses Certification Corporation f. AACN Certification Corporation g. National Board on Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses h. Nurses Portfolio Credentialing Commission (NPCC)