Bus. & Prof. Code, § 2826

As used in this article:

(a) “Nurse anesthetist” means a person who is a registered nurse licensed by the board who has met standards for certification from the board. In the certification and recertification process, the board shall consider the standards of the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, or a successor national professional organization approved by the board, and may develop new standards if there is a public safety need for standards more stringent than the councils’ standards. In determining the adequacy for public safety of the councils’ standards or in developing board standards, the board shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(b) “Accredited program” means a program for the education of nurse anesthetists that has received approval from the board. In the approval process, the board shall consider the standards of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs and Schools and may develop new standards if the councils’ standards are determined to be inadequate for public safety. In determining the adequacy for public safety of the councils’ standards or in developing board standards, the board shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(c) “Anesthesia services” include all of the following:

(1) Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care and pain management provided by a nurse anesthetist for patients receiving anesthesia pursuant to an order by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist for anesthesia services.

(2) Selecting and administering medication pursuant to an order for anesthesia services by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist.

(3) Providing emergency, critical care, and resuscitation services.

(d) “Appropriate committee” means the committee responsible for anesthesia practice that is responsible to the executive committee of the medical staff.

(e) “Trainee” means a registered nurse enrolled in an accredited program of nurse anesthesia.

(f) “Graduate” means a nurse anesthetist who is a graduate of an accredited program of nurse anesthesia awaiting initial certification results for not more than one year from the date of graduation.