EMT Transition Course
EMT-B to Emergency Medical Technician
Additional Content That May Be Included
YOUR Steps to Transition (EMT-Basic to EMT)
History
Excerpts from the Fall 2011 NREMT Newletter
During the next four years everyone in EMS will be going through a “transition” from levels of certification designated in the 1990’s to new titles with new interventions and responsibilities. These changes have been planned since 2000 and are being accomplished in conjunction with the EMS Education Agenda for the Future: A Systems Approach. Hundreds of national EMS leaders participated in discussions with states and stakeholders to help everyone arrive at this decision over the past 11 years.
First a little history regarding the EMS title of Emergency Medical Technician-Basic and the new Emergency Medical Technician. In 1969, via a federal contract, Dunlap and Associates produced the first Emergency MedicalTechnician Ambulance course. Many aspiring providers took this course and became EMT-As. When the NREMT started a certification at that level in 1971, in order for a provider to obtain certification he or she had to have six months of experience working in the pre-hospital setting in order to be a NREMT-A. Later, some EMT-As began towork in health care settings and soon an NREMT-Non- Ambulance was designated. In 1989, the NREMT Board of Directors desired to reduce the confusion between EMT-Ambulance and Non-Ambulance and designated the title EMT-Basic, following the title used by some states. In 1994 the Department of Transportation (DOT), released a national standard curriculum titled, Emergency Medical Technician-Basic. Between 2004 and 2006, the National Association of State EMS Officials, in conjunction with other national stakeholder groups, developed and released the National EMS Scope of Practice Model; one of the components of the EMS Education Agenda for theFuture. Part of those discussions concluded with changing the name of Emergency Medical Technician-Basic to Emergency MedicalTechnician and expanded their knowledge and patient care abilities. Added to the national EMS scope of practicemodel and education standards was a change from assessment based patient care towards diagnostic based patient care, more extensive knowledge to assess and understand patient conditions and use of pulse oximeters for assessment purposes. Although many providers believe “skills” determine the value of a provider the focus of these changes were to increase the “knowledge” of future EMS providers when compared to those educated under the 1994 National Standard Curriculum. These changes in responsibilities and knowledge nationally require each state to review their scopes of practice and assure providers meet, at least, the minimum national standards. The National Registry, in concert with the EMS Education Agenda for the Future, is likewise making this “transition.” However, each of the 50 states in the U.S. may adopt a variety of policies and educational interpretations regarding what you will need to do to complete the “transition.” Because of the state variations, the NREMT has implemented a standardized reporting process. You will need to follow to maintain your National EMS Certification and become an Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT). Please note, the education you must complete, the course length, format and locations are under the direction of your State EMS Office. If you telephone the NREMT with questions on where to attend these courses, or on what you are to do to obtain the education, the NREMT will be referring you to your respective State EMS Office.
The NREMT is requiring the education as part of our continued certification process but we do not provide education. Providing EMS education is a state or local EMS system responsibility. We will recognize your state approved education and we are requesting that your education course completion certificate indicates you have completed a “transition/refresher” course.
NREMT Transition Policy
Adopted June 8, 2011 The NREMT Board of Directors is committed to implementation of the EMS Education Agenda for the Future:A Systems Approach. Included within this agenda is the National EMS Scope of Practice Model. Therefore, in order for NREMTs to maintain National EMS Certification, as outlined in the EMS Education Agenda for the Future, all NREMTs must meet the minimum requirements of knowledge and skills outlined in the National EMS Scope of Practice Model.
EMT-B to Emergency Medical Technician
All NREMT-Basics who have expiration dates of March 31, 2011 or March 31, 2012 have two registration cycles (four years) to complete a state approved Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) to Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) transition course in order to be eligible for National EMS Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT).
To transition to the EMT level, the NREMT-Basic is not required to complete a National EMS Certification Examination.
NREMT-Basics who submit an acceptable recertification application but do notinclude successful completion of a state-approved transition course from EMTBasicto EMT will be issued National EMS Certification as an Emergency MedicalResponder (NREMR) upon reaching their expiration date of March 31, 2015 or 2016.
Additional Content That May Be Included
IMPORTANT TO NOTE! You may already be performing some of these interventions under the authority of your State EMS office rules and regulations or by your local treatment protocols.
YOUR Steps to Transition (EMT-Basic to EMT)
- Complete the transition course during one of your next two recertification cycles
- Obtain a completion certificate for the course
- Provide the certificate along with your other recertification materials to the NREMT by your recertification deadline (March 31)
Failure to provide the required documentation within two recertification cycles will result in your being issued National EMS Certification as an Emergency Medical Responder (NREMR) upon reaching their expiration date of March 31, 2015 or 2016.
EMT-Basic, Intermediate/85 and Paramedic to EMT, AEMT and Paramedic
| Current Certification Expires | Complete Transition By: | |
| March 31, 2011 | March 31, 2015 | |
| March 31, 2012 | March 31, 2016 |
Certificates must have this information on them:
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