The National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (National Council) was established in 1999. Its functions include monitoring the on-going development of nursing and midwifery specialities, taking into account changes in practice and service need and determining the appropriate level of qualification and competence for entry into specialist nursing and midwifery practice. The National Council has published three editions of the Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts which outline the roles, responsibilities, core concepts, competencies and minimum criteria for the establishment of clinical nurse/midwife specialist (CNS/CMS) posts. These frameworks have ensured the successful implementation of the clinical career pathway in Ireland. The level of education set for nurses and midwives to be recognised as CNS’s/CMS’s is at higher/ postgraduate diploma, which is equivalent to a major award at level 8 on the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland Qualification Framework (NQAI). Recognition has been given in the various National Council framework documents for the need to build capacity for relevant education programmes and provide appropriate timeframes for nurses and midwives to undertake these education programmes. The National Council is pleased to present this 4th edition which outlines the evolution of the CNS/CMS education criteria and progression of CNS/CMS posts over the past ten years. The various pathways from the ‘Immediate’, ‘Intermediate’ and now to the ‘Future’ pathway as recommended by the Report of the Commission on Nursing are outlined. This edition of the CNS/CMS framework gives notice of revised educational criteria which will commence from September 1st 2010. It should be noted that the educational criteria under the ‘Intermediate Pathway’ will no longer be valid after August 31st 2010. From September 1st 2010 all nurses and midwives who apply for CNS/CMS approval must have acquired a level 8 postregistration NQAI (major award) relevant to his/her area of specialist practice prior to their application.