Pennsylvania EMS Recertification Process

Pennsylvania EMS Recertification Process

Pennsylvania’s Department of Health is the lead agency for emergency medical services (EMS) in the commonwealth. The Department’s Bureau of Medical Services is responsible for the state’s development and coordination of comprehensive systematic approaches to prevent and reduce death and disability. We’ve outlined the recertification process for Pennsylvania, provided some helpful links, and answered frequently asked questions.

Information on this page was accurate at time of publishing (January 2022) and is regularly reviewed and updated. Always confirm the rules, regulations, and processes with your local EMS authorities. If you notice any inaccurate or out-of-date information, please let us know so we can make corrections.

PENNSYLVANIA EMS RECERTIFICATION GUIDE

Does Pennsylvania follow the NREMT’S NCCP Model?

Pennsylvania certification is required and the National Registry is optional. The following continuing education (CE) requirements are required for PA certification/recertification. 

EMR – 16 CE hours

EMT– 24 CE hours

AEMT– 36 CE hours

Paramedics – 36 CE hours. 

Many EMT providers will choose to renew their NREMT although it is not a requirement for Pennsylvania, those thinking of transferring out of state choose to renew their NREMT. 

Does Code One’s online NREMT recertification course cover the CE’s required by Pennsylvania?

Yes! Pennsylvania accepts all CE courses which are approved by Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education (CAPCE). Code one has partnered with Pro EMS Center for Medics to deliver Prodigy – a world class virtual training platform for all levels of EMS providers which is approved by CAPCE. 

Get started now with Code One’s Online EMT Recertification Program

How does the online recertification course With Code One work?

Code One offers Online NREMT Recertification courses for each level of EMS Provider (these courses are also approved for recertification use in Pennsylvania):

  • Online EMT Recertification Course – Consists of 40 hours of online content which satisfies all continuing education requirements. Participants attend 16 hours (or more if desired) of training as live (F5) virtual instructor-led courses in an online webinar. Live courses are scheduled weekdays between 10am and 6pm with 5 courses offered per day (additional evening and weekend sessions are scheduled during February and March). The remaining 24 hours are pre-recorded distributive education (F3) which may be completed anytime. Register Here
  • Online AEMT Recertification Course – Consists of 50 hours of online content which satisfies all continuing education requirements. Participants attend 21.5 hours (or more if desired) of training as live (F5) virtual instructor-led courses in an online webinar. Live courses are scheduled weekdays between 10am and 6pm with 5 courses offered per day (additional evening and weekend sessions are scheduled during February and March). The remaining 28.5 hours are pre-recorded distributive education (F3) which may be completed anytime. Register Here
  • Online Paramedic Recertification Course – Consists of 60 hours of online content which satisfies all continuing education requirements. Participants attend 25 hours (or more if desired) of training as live (F5) virtual instructor-led courses in an online webinar. Live courses are scheduled weekdays between 10am and 6pm with 5 courses offered per day (additional evening and weekend sessions are scheduled during February and March). The remaining 35 hours are pre-recorded distributive education (F3) which may be completed anytime. Register Here

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. Participants complete a combination of scheduled live courses in a virtual conference room and distributive pre-recorded courses which may be completed at any time.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE LIMITS ON DISTRIBUTIVE EDUCATION?

EMT Recertification limits distributive education (pre-recorded) course hours. Virtual instructor-led training (VILT) courses are conducted in real-time via webinar and are approved in the F5 category by the NREMT. There is no limit for hours that can be obtained through VILT.

WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR LIVE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING THROUGH THE ONLINE EMT RECERTIFICATION COURSE?

Live courses are scheduled on weekdays from 10am to 6pm with five courses offered per day. There are additional evening and Saturday sessions scheduled during February and March. Most classes are one hour in length.

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 state licensing portal to obtain updated state EMT certification which can be found here

Helpful Resources: NREMT Recertification Information for EMR | EMT | AEMT | Paramedic

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