Certification info

WA EMT & Paramedic Certification

WA EMT & Paramedic Certification:

Initial Certification

Recertification

Reciprocity

Challenge

Reissuance of Expired Certification

Reinstatement of Certification

Personal Status Change

Initial Certification

Must successfully complete a Washington State Course and have a course completion certificate the level you are applying for:

EMR – Emergency Medical Responder
EMT – Emergency Medical Technician
EMT/IV – Emergency Medical Technician with an IV endorsement
AEMT – Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
EMTP – Paramedic

Must take and successfully pass a National Registry examination. This done through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians website atwww.nremt.org

Additional Information on National Registry:

NREMT- WRITTEN EXAMINATION INFORMATION - All Registration Levels
There are several steps you need to complete to schedule a written examination with a Person Vue test site.

You will need to register with the NREMT online. Instructions on what you need to do to take the test are provided. The website is www.nremt.org. When you register, you will need to indicate what training program you attended.
You will need to contact your instructor/training program coordinator to verify your knowledge and skill competence on line at the same web site as above. If the training program has not registered online with the NREMT, they will need to do so and have the program approved online by our office. Directions for training programs are also available on the NREMT web site.
Once both 1 and 2 above are completed, you will be able to make an appointment for the computer adaptive test (CAT) with a Person Vue testing site. These sites are available through the NREMT web site above.

NREMT- BASIC LEVEL PRACTICAL SKILLS EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Individuals seeking practical skills examinations to become registered with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) should contact a Washington State EMS training program to arrange for a practical skills examination.

NREMT- INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED LEVEL PRACTICAL SKILLS EXAMINATION
NREMT-Intermediate and Advanced Level examinations routinely administered at Washington State Approved Paramedic Training Programs when scheduled with the Department. These examinations are normally closed to individuals not enrolled in the training program. Please contact the individual training programs for additional information.

In order to be eligible for Washington State certification, you must have a Washington State licensed EMS agency. The following link lists all of the Washington State EMS agencies: doh.wa.gov

The EMS office obtains the Medical Program Director signature. The initial certification forms may be downloaded at: doh.wa.gov

Initial EMS certification applicants must provide a copy of a course completion certificate/letter from a Department of Health approved EMS Training Program, the National Registry examination results for the certification level they are applying for and a copy of your picture ID.

The completed form and attachments must be brought or mailed to the EMS office (no faxed copies accepted):

Yakima County Department of Emergency Medical Services
5110 Tieton Drive, Suite 370
Yakima, WA 98908

Recertification

Where do I get continuing education classes to keep my certification current?

EMR and EMT

EMT-IV and AEMT

Paramedic

How do I know when I need to recertify?

What if I lose my certification card?

What if I recertify and I don’t receive my certification card?

How do I apply for recertification?

My certification has expired; how can I get it reissued?

Where do I get continuing education classes to keep my certification current?

Emergency Medical Responder and Emergency Medical Technician (EMR & EMT)

Where do I get continuing education classes to keep my Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification current?

See Monthly schedule

EMT/IV and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)

On-line OTEP is offered through the Yakima County Department of Emergency Medical Services. (See attached pages for Application and Student packet). You are also required to attend two skills workshops each year, one medical and one trauma. Link to monthly schedule

Paramedic

How do I know when I need to recertify?

Look on your certification card. You may also search your certification at the State: fortress.wa.gov

What if I lose my certification card?

Contact the Washington State Department of Health at:
Phone number 360.236.4700
Email Address hsqa.csc@doh.wa.gov

What if I recertify and I don’t receive my certification card?

Go to the following State link: doh.wa.gov

How do I apply for recertification?

Complete all of your Ongoing Training and Education Program requirements and provide proof to the Yakima County Department of Emergency Medical Services.WAC 246-976-171,
A. Complete the necessary skills for your level of certification (this only applies to those certified at the EMT w/IV level or above)

Complete the Recertification Application (you may also renew on-line)
A. Read the Recertification Application Instructions
B. Print and complete the Recertification Application, attach a copy of your picture ID and a copy of the proof of your completed training and skills (if required).

Fill out the form completely. You will need to sign it and then obtain your agency’s signature (chief, training officer, supervisor).

Either bring or mail the completed application to the Yakima County Department of Emergency Medical Service. We will obtain MPD signature for you and forward you application to the Washington State Department of Health.

Yakima County Department of Emergency Medical Services
5110 Tieton Drive, Suite 370
Yakima, WA 98908

Recertification Application:
On-line Renewal fortress.wa.gov

Your agency must be signed up with the State for this option to work. You are still required to provide proof of your training and skills to the Yakima County Department of Emergency Medical Services.

Hard Copy doh.wa.gov

Fill out the form completely, and obtain agency signature. Return form to the Yakima County Department of Emergency Medical Services, include a copy of your picture ID and proof of training and if required, skills.

Reciprocity

How do I transfer my certification from another state to Washington State?

See doh.wa.gov

The following are required with your application:

Proof of valid EMS certification from another state or national certifying agency approved by the department.
Paramedic applicants: proof of successful completion of a paramedic program. Submit a copy of a course completion certificate, letter, or transcripts from the paramedic training program. Applicants completing training after June 30, 1996, must have completed a paramedic program accredited by a national accrediting organization approved by the department.
Accredited programs may be found at www.caahep.org
Applicants must have passed a Department of Health approved certification examination for the level of certification. The score is valid for twelve months from the date of the examination. After twelve months, a passing score on a department-approved certification examination is required. Applicants will have three attempts within twelve months from the first examination date to pass the examination. After three unsuccessful attempts or twelve months, the applicant must complete an approved initial EMS course to reapply for certification.

Challenge

How do I challenge the educational requirements? doh.wa.gov

The following are required with your application:

Course completion documents showing education equivalent to the knowledge and skills at the EMR, EMT, or AEMT training level. Once your documents have been reviewed you will be notified of the appropriate examination needed.
Applicants seeking paramedic certification - successful completion of a paramedic course through a training program accredited by a department-approved national accrediting organization.
Provide proof of a valid health care provider credential.
Applicants must have passed a Department of Health approved certification examination for the level of certification. Applicants will have three attempts within twelve months from the first examination date to pass the examination. After three unsuccessful attempts or twelve months, the applicant must complete an approved initial EMS course to reapply for certification.

Reissuance of Expired Certification

You will need to meet the requirements set forth by the Washington State Department of Health www.doh.wa.gov

Provide the following to your County MPD or MPD delegate with your application:

If a certification is expired for one year or less:

Proof of completing the recertification education requirements listed below for the applicant’s certification period:

For EMS providers completing the CME method, complete the requirements identified in WAC 246-976-171 Table A; or
For EMS providers completing the OTEP method, complete the requirements indentified in WAC 246-976-171, Table B; and
Proof of one year of annual recertification education requirements.

If a certification is expired more than one year and less than two years:
Proof of completing the recertification education requirements listed below for the applicant’s certification period:

For EMS providers completing the CME method, complete the requirements identified in WAC 246-976-171, Table A; or
For EMS providers completing the OTEP method, complete the requirements indentified in WAC 246-976-171, Table B; and
One additional year of annual recertification education requirements; and
Twenty-four hours of educational topics and hours specified by the department and the MPD; and
For EMS providers completing the CME method, complete the requirements identified in Table A of WAC 246-976-171
For EMS providers completing OTEP, complete the requirements identified in Table B of WAC 246-976-171.

If a certification is expired for two years or longer:

For non-paramedic EMS personnel:

Complete a department-approved initial training program, and successfully complete department-approved knowledge and practical skill certification examinations;

For paramedics whose certification has been expired between two and six years:

Current status as a provider or instructor in the following, ACLS, PHTLS, or BTLS, PALS or PEPPS, or state approved equivalent;
Current status in health care provider CPR;
Completing a state approved forty-eight hour EMT-paramedic refresher training program or complete forty-eight hours of ALS training that consists of the following core content:
Airway, breathing and cardiology - sixteen hours.
Medical emergencies - eight hours.
Trauma - six hours.
Obstetrics and pediatrics - sixteen hours
EMS operations - two hours.
Successful completion of any additional required MPD and department-approved refresher training;
Successful completion of MPD required clinical and field evaluations;
Successful completion of department-approved knowledge and practical skill certification examinations.
A request for reissuance of a paramedic certification that has been expired greater than six years will be reviewed by the department to determine the disposition

Reinstatement of Certification

Reinstatement of a suspended, modified or revoked EMS certification

Provide proof of completion of all requirements identified by the departmental disciplinary authority; and
Meet the reissuance requirements.

For more information, see www.doh.wa.gov

Personal Status Change

For more information, see www.doh.wa.gov

WA EMT & Paramedic Certification

EMR – Emergency Medical Responder

EMT – Emergency Medical Technician

EMT/IV – Emergency Medical Technician with an IV endorsement

AEMT – Advanced Emergency Medical Technician

You will need to register with the NREMT online. Instructions on what you need to do to take the test are provided. The website is www.nremt.org. When you register, you will need to indicate what training program you attended.

Proof of valid EMS certification from another state or national certifying agency approved by the department.

Accredited programs may be found at www.caahep.org

Course completion documents showing education equivalent to the knowledge and skills at the EMR, EMT, or AEMT training level. Once your documents have been reviewed you will be notified of the appropriate examination needed.

Applicants seeking paramedic certification - successful completion of a paramedic course through a training program accredited by a department-approved national accrediting organization.

Provide proof of a valid health care provider credential.

For EMS providers completing the CME method, complete the requirements identified in WAC 246-976-171 Table A; or

For EMS providers completing the OTEP method, complete the requirements indentified in WAC 246-976-171, Table B; and

For EMS providers completing the CME method, complete the requirements identified in WAC 246-976-171, Table A; or

For EMS providers completing the OTEP method, complete the requirements indentified in WAC 246-976-171, Table B; and

One additional year of annual recertification education requirements; and

Twenty-four hours of educational topics and hours specified by the department and the MPD; and

For EMS providers completing the CME method, complete the requirements identified in Table A of WAC 246-976-171

Complete a department-approved initial training program, and successfully complete depart­ment-approved knowledge and practical skill certification examinations;

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Current status as a provider or instructor in the following, ACLS, PHTLS, or BTLS, PALS or PEPPS, or state approved equivalent;

Current status in health care provider CPR;

Completing a state approved forty-eight hour EMT-paramedic refresher training program or complete forty-eight hours of ALS training that consists of the following core content:

Airway, breathing and cardiology - sixteen hours.

Medical emergencies - eight hours.

Trauma - six hours.

Obstetrics and pediatrics - sixteen hours

EMS operations - two hours.

Successful completion of any additional required MPD and department-approved refresher training;

Successful completion of MPD required clinical and field evaluations;

Successful completion of department-approved knowledge and practical skill certification examinations.

Provide proof of completion of all requirements identified by the departmental disciplinary authority; and

Complete a department-approved initial training program, and successfully complete department-approved knowledge and practical skill certification examinations;