California Code, Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2838.1

(a) On and after July 1, 1998, any registered nurse who holds themselves out as a clinical nurse specialist or who desires to hold themselves out as a clinical nurse specialist shall, within the time prescribed by the board and before their next license renewal or the issuance of an initial license, submit their education, experience, and other credentials, and any other information required by the board to determine that the person qualifies to use the title “clinical nurse specialist.”

(b) Upon finding that a person is qualified to hold themselves out as a clinical nurse specialist, the board shall appropriately indicate on the license issued or renewed that the person is qualified to use the title “clinical nurse specialist.”  The board shall also issue to each qualified person a certificate indicating that the person is qualified to use the title “clinical nurse specialist.”