2022 emt recertification in Connecticut

2024 EMT Recertification in Connecticut

Updated September 8, 2022

Update: NREMT EMS Providers may complete all training via distributive (pre-recorded content) learning for recertification – there is no longer a limit on distributive hours. Code One’s Continuing Education program meets both NREMT and Connecticut renewal requirements for all EMS levels.

Connecticut’s Office of Emergency Medical Services made several changes to the recertification process for state certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). These substantive changes took effect January 1, 2020. We’ve outlined the new recertification process, provided some helpful links, and answered frequently asked questions.

Connecticut certified EMTs now follow the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) National Continued Competency Program (NCCP) for recertification.

Before: Prior to 2020, CT EMTs would complete a 30 hour EMT Refresher course within a year of their expiration date. The EMT Refresher course included a practical skills test and written exam proctored by an OEMS assigned examiner. Successful completion of the course and exams resulted in an extension of 3 years to the EMT certificate.

Now: EMTs need to complete 40 hours of continuing education plus a skills verification for EMT recertification. Successful completion results in a 2 year extension of the EMT certificate.

The key advantages to using NCCP for recertification include:

  • NREMT and State certification requirements match: EMTs only need to complete this process once to maintain both certifications. Previously education requirements and expiration dates mismatched which resulted in extra work to maintain both.
  • Continuing Education is completed over the entire two year certification cycle: Previously EMTs could only do education during the final year of their certification. EMTs now get credit for hours completed during the entire life of their certification.
  • Ongoing education encourages EMS providers to stay up-to-date on current trends throughout the certification cycle.
  • All education can be completed online: EMTs were required to attend instructor-led components and testing during the EMT Refresher program. Under the new process, all hours may be completed online which provides flexibility for EMS providers.

Step by Step Connecticut EMT Recertification Process:

Recertification: EMTs with an unexpired Connecticut EMT certification.

  1. Complete 40 hours of CAPCE or state approved Continuing Education
  2. Complete a Skills Verification
    • For Active NREMT certified EMTs: Skills verification may be verified by your agency’s Training Officer
    • For Inactive NREMT certified or CT Only certified EMTs: Complete a T-6 form for Skills Verification with an EMS-Instructor
  3. Complete a Connecticut eLicense renewal application.
  4. Maintain a record of your completed CME hours and skills validation (transcript of Continuing Education courses / T-6 Skills Validation) – OEMS will conduct random audits to confirm EMS providers have met renewal requirements.

Reinstatement: EMTs with a Connecticut EMT certification that has been expired for over 90 days and less than 2 years.

  1. Complete 40 hours of CAPCE or state approved Continuing Education
  2. Complete a Skills Verification:
    • For Active NREMT certified EMTs: Skills verification may be verified by your agency’s Training Officer
    • For Inactive NREMT certified or CT Only certified EMTs: Complete a T-6 form for Skills Verification with an EMS-Instructor
  3. Complete a Mental Health First Aid certification course – This requirement is currently suspended by statute.
  4. Complete a Connecticut eLicense renewal application.
  5. Maintain a record of your completed CME hours and skills validation (transcript of Continuing Education courses / T-6 Skills Validation) – OEMS will conduct random audits to confirm EMS providers have met renewal requirements.

More information on EMT Reinstatement from the CT OEMS website

Accepted EMT Continuing Education

Continuing Education for EMT Recertification is split into three categories – National Component, State / Local Component, and Individual Component. Each category has its own required education hours and limits for how many hours can be completed using Distributive Education (pre-recorded content).

National Component: 20 hours. The National Component has an outline of topics and time that must be spent on each topic to satisfy this requirement.

State / Local Component: 10 hours. Connecticut has a “SCREENING FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, RISK OF SUICIDE, DEPRESSION AND GRIEF, AND SUICIDE PREVENTION” training requirement which went into effect January 1, 2022. Many local health departments offer this training at no cost (see resources in above linked memo). This curriculum is being built into the Prodigy EMS recertification program through Code One. Your local medical control or EMS agency may specify educational requirements to be completed in this component. If there is no state or local requirement, these hours are for elective courses.

Individual Component: 10 hours. These hours are for elective courses.

Total: 40 hours

Distributive vs. Live Education

As of September 2022, both Connecticut and the NREMT no longer limit distributive education. Therefore the below categories don’t really matter, but we left the information here in case you’re interested.

The NREMT categorizes education as F1, F2, F3, and F5 (yup, F4 doesn’t exist!)

  • F1: Live In-Person Continuing Education – In-person elective courses such as seminars, conference sessions, and hospital grand rounds.
  • F2: Live In-Person Continuing Education (Continuous / Cyclical) – In-person courses that are required for certification renewal such as CPR.
  • F3: Online Distributive Continuing Education – Pre-recorded courses that can be completed at any time. These can be written, audio, or video programs. NREMT limits the number of hours allowed for distributive content.
  • F5: Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) Continuing Education – Courses that are conducted live in a virtual classroom like a webinar.

Online EMT Recertification:

Code One’s Online EMT Recertification Course consists of 40 hours of online content which satisfies continuing education requirements. Register for the Online EMT Recertification course is here.

Skills Verification

Skills verification can be completed through two methods:

  • For those with active NREMT certification: Your EMS agency Training Officer can verify your skills through the NREMT website. You’ll select your EMS organization during your NREMT renewal. Submission of your updated NREMT certification satisfies Connecticut’s EMT recertification requirements.
  • For those with inactive NREMT certification or Connecticut EMT certification only: You will need to have your skills verified on a T-6 form by an Emergency Medical Services Instructor. This can be done locally with your EMS agency or with a Code One instructor.

Mental Health First Aid Certification

EMTs obtaining recertification within 90 days of their expiration date are exempt from the Mental Health First Aid certification requirement which took effect January 1, 2020. Mental Health First Aid certification requirements for EMR, EMT, and AEMT levels was removed by legislative action in March 2020. Paramedics seeking initial licensure or reinstatement are required to have Mental Health First Aid certification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I complete all of my continuing education online?

Yes. Code One’s Online EMT Recertification course provides all required continuing education hours in a flexible virtual format. More information is here.

Does Connecticut limit distributive education?

In September 2022, Connecticut OEMS permanently lifted the limits on distributive (pre-recorded) continuing education. This change was in response to the NREMT permanently lifting their limits on distributive education earlier in the year.

If I renew my NREMT certification, do I still need to get a state certification?

EMTs need a state certification to practice. The EMT can easily submit their updated NREMT certification through the Connecticut eLicense website to obtain updated state EMT certification.

Am I required to get Mental Health First Aid certification?

The Mental Health First Aid requirement established by PA 19-191 is now only currently required for initial Paramedic licensure. This may change in the future to include EMTs seeking reinstatement of an expired certification.

What is the Mark King Initiative and when does it take effect?

The Mark King Initiative (MKI) provides EMTs who previously held NREMT certification with a one-time reinstatement of their NREMT certification without having to complete the usual reinstatement testing requirements. Connecticut OEMS plans to offer the Mark King Initiative after the COVID-19 pandemic is declared under control. There is a small fee for reinstatement through the MKI.

Summary

Connecticut made some significant changes to the certification process for EMTs which took effect January 1, 2020. These changes have streamlined the process for those who have dual certification with NREMT and the state. While these updates may be confusing at first glance, there are many resources available to guide EMTs through the new process. Code One is here to help with any questions or challenges you may have.

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