Amidst rising COVID-19 infections, social distancing, and EMS agencies / hospitals operating under disaster protocols, a number of EMS certification and licensing agencies have made some modifications to expiration dates to ease the burden for responders. We’ve organized many of the changes for you to follow easily.
National Registry of EMTs (NREMT)
NREMT certifications for EMR, EMT, AEMT, and Paramedics expire on March 31 every other year. NREMT Providers who are expiring March 31, 2020 have been granted extra time to get their recertification completed and now have until June 30, 2020.
Further, the National Continued Competency Program (NCCP) used to direct continuing education hours required for NREMT recertification has been modified to allow EMS providers to use all distributive hours (pre-recorded courses) for their renewal this time around. While NREMT has lifted the distributive requirement, state EMS offices may still have limits in place.
Update: As of April 1, 2021 the limits on distributive education have been reinstated. Live training hours may still be completed by virtual instructor-led courses through Code One’s EMS Recertification program.
Code One’s NREMT Recertification courses (EMR | EMT | AEMT | Paramedic) through Prodigy consists of distributive courses which may be completed anywhere and anytime. EMS Providers are also free to attend live virtual courses through this program if their state has not lifted these requirements.
The NREMT has also approved a provisional certification for EMS providers who complete their training and cognitive examination but are unable to complete psychomotor testing due to state limits on group gatherings.
Connecticut Office of Emergency Medical Services
CT EMS Professionals have historically received a 90 day grace period from when their EMS certification expires to get this renewed. This provision remains in effect and may be extended if CT OEMS deems it necessary.
Connecticut OEMS has also accepted the NREMT’s lifting of distributive education limits so that providers can complete recertification training at any time. Code One’s NREMT Recertification courses (EMR | EMT | AEMT | Paramedic) meet the state’s requirements for certification renewal. Paramedics are licensed in CT and are not required to maintain NREMT certification, however their local medical control or agency may have this requirement.
Connecticut has not adopted the provisional NREMT certification level at this moment but is considering it with more information forthcoming.
American Heart Association
This section has been updated with new guidance from the American Heart Association via this link.
The American Heart Association (AHA) released a memo recommending that all employers extend AHA expiration dates on BLS, ACLS, and PALS provider certificates by 60 days. While it is up to the employer to adopt these recommendations, this is a helpful way to ensure that EMS and hospital personnel are able to continue work while there are no recertification courses or skills tests available due to the numerous shelter-in-place orders in our communities.
Update: AHA expiration dates have been reinstated to match the recommended renewal date listed on certification cards. Code One’s BEACON program offers a flexible and convenient way to renew your AHA certification.