NASEMSO Adopts Landmark EMS Education Resolutions

October 19, 2010--Falls Church, VA: The National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) has adopted landmark resolutions supporting implementation of the EMS Education Agenda for the Future: A Systems Approach. Results from the 2009-2010 NASEMSO Annual Education Agenda Statewide Implementation Surveys were used to estimate a timeframe when the majority of states projected readiness for implementation of the scope of practice levels described as part of the Education Agenda.

Resolution 2010-03 "Transition Plan for EMS Testing and Certification" supports a proposed calendar to be used by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) to sunset existing exams and implement examinations based on the National EMS Education Standards. The resolution also calls for the NREMT to provide access to the EMT Intermediate-99 exam to states that are using the exam for state licensure after the national certification exam retires in 2013. If adopted by the NREMT, Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) exams could launch January 1, 2012, Advanced EMT (AEMT) exams could launch June 1, 2011, and revised paramedic exams would become available on January 1, 2013.

In related action, following a two-year period of study and evaluation, Resolution 2010-04 "National EMS Certification and Program Accreditation" recognizes the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP) for significant progress in assisting paramedic education programs to achieve accreditation and supports January 1, 2013, as the beginning date for the NREMT to require graduation from a nationally accredited paramedic education program for personnel to gain access to national EMS certification.

"It is a great day in EMS history," said NASEMSO President Randy Kuykendall. "A decade ago, EMS stakeholders described a visionary plan to enable a closer alignment with other allied health professions and we are finally on the threshold of making this dream a reality. NASEMSO remains committed to assisting states implement the Education Agenda, a plan that we believe will not only strengthen EMS as a profession but improve emergency care across the Nation."

For more information, see the Advocacy section at www.nasemso.org.