202 KAR 7:330E. Requirements for examination, certification and recertification of the advanced emergency medical technician.

202 KAR 7:330. Requirements for examination, certification, and recertification of the advanced emergency medical technician.

RELATES TO: KRS 311A.010, 311A.025, 311A.027, 311A.050, 311A.055, 311A.060, 311A.065, 311A.075, 311A.090, 311A.095, 311A.100, 311A.110, 311A.145

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 311A.020, 311A.025, 311A.030

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 311A.025 requires the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services to promulgate administrative regulations relating to Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians. This administrative regulation establishes requirements for examination, certification, and recertification of advanced emergency medical technicians.

Section 1. Definition. "Advanced emergency medical technician" or "AEMT" means the intermediate level of emergency medical technicians.

Section 2. Student Eligibility. Individuals shall be eligible to enroll as a student in an AEMT training program if the applicant:

(1) Is at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(2) Holds a current unrestricted certification as a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician-Basic or unrestricted certification as a Kentucky Emergency Medical Technician - Basic;

(3) Holds a college degree, high school diploma, GED, or equivalent;

(4) Understands, reads, speaks, and writes the English language with a comprehension and performance level equal to at least the ninth grade of education, otherwise known as Level 4, verified by testing as necessary;

(5) Is not subject to disciplinary action pursuant to KRS Chapter 311A that would prevent certification;

(6) Meets any additional requirements established by the EMS-TEI; and

(7) Holds a valid motor vehicle operators’ license from a state or territory in the United States.

Section 3. Certification Requirements. (1) Individuals desiring initial certification as an AEMT shall:

(a) Meet all of the requirements of Section 1 of this administrative regulation;

(b) Successfully complete a training program which utilized the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Administration, 1985 or 1999 National Standard Curriculum for Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate or the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Administration Scope of Practice Model based curriculum for Advanced Emergency Medical Technician as the curriculum for education;

(c) Obtain National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians registration as a Registered EMT Intermediate/85, Registered EMT Intermediate/99, or Registered Advanced Emergency Medical Technician;

(d) Submit a signed "Application for Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Initial Certification";

(e) Present written evidence of completion of current HIV/AIDS training required by KRS 311A.110;

(f) Pay the fee required by 202 KAR 7:030; and

(g) Present written evidence of completion of current training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation that shall:

1. Be taught by an individual who holds one (1) of the following instructor certification approved by the board at an appropriate level from:

a. The American Red Cross;

b. The American Heart Association;

c. The National Safety Council;

d. The American Health and Safety Institute; or

e. Another board approved organization; and

2. Provide instruction and testing in:

a. One (1) rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

b. Two (2) rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

c. Techniques of changing from one (1) to two (2) rescuers during the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

d. Techniques of changing rescuers during the performance of two (2) rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

e. Techniques for relief of obstruction of the airway;

f. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation of infants and small children;

g. Barrier-to-mouth, barrier-to-nose, barrier-to-stomach resuscitation for adults, small children, and infants;

h. Use of oral and nasal airways;

i. Use of bag-valve-mask or other ventilation device;

j. Use of supplemental oxygen; and

k. Use and operation of an AED.

(2) An applicant for certification as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician shall successfully complete all National Registry testing and become Kentucky-certified within two (2) years after the completion date of the applicant's AEMT course.

Section 4. Expiration of Certification. (1) Initial certification periods shall be for a minimum of twelve (12) but shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months.

(2) Subsequent recertification shall be for twenty-four (24) months and shall expire on December 31 of subsequent recertification cycles.

(3) Upon expiration of certification, an AEMT shall not practice as an AEMT or perform a procedure authorized for a certified AEMT, or hold himself or herself out to be an AEMT, in accordance with KRS 311A.050.

Section 5. Recertification and Continuing Education Requirements. (1) A Kentucky-certified AEMT shall be eligible for recertification if the applicant submits to the Board:

(a) A signed "Universal Application for Renewal";

(b) Written evidence of completion of current training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation meeting the requirements as outlined in Section 2 of this administrative regulation;

(d) The fee established in 202 KAR 7:030.

(2) The applicant shall maintain evidence of either:

(a) Current registration by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians as an AEMT, EMT-Intermediate/85 or EMT Intermediate/99; or

(b) Successful completion of the AEMT continuing education requirement that includes forty-eight (48) total contact hours of which twelve (12) hours may be in subject areas chosen by the AEMT and the remaining thirty-six (36) hours shall include the following minimum contact hours and topics:

1. Five (5) hours in preparatory;

2. Five (5) hours in airway management and ventilation;

3. Twelve (12) hours in medical, including cardiology;

4. Eight (8) hours in trauma;

5. Four (4) hours in special considerations; and

6. Two (2) hours in operations.

(3) The training shall be validated by:

(a) The instructor, medical director, training officer, course coordinator, or provider of the continuing education offering; or

(b) A medical director, service director, or training officer of the AEMT’s ambulance service, first response agency, fire department, rescue squad or other medical employer.

(4) An application for renewal of certification shall be denied if:

(a) Prior to the certification expiration date, the AEMT applicant has not met the applicable requirements of this section; or

(b) The applicant has been subjected to disciplinary action that prevents recertification at the time of application.

(5) A certified AEMT, in good standing, who is a member of any branch of the United States military or a National Guard or a military reserve unit and is called to active duty by presidential order pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 121 and 673b may be given an extension for a period up to one (1) year after release from active duty to meet the applicable requirements for recertification listed in this administrative regulation. The AEMT shall submit a written request for this extension within sixty (60) days of release of active duty.

(6) The KBEMS office may audit an AEMT’s continuing education and continuing education records.

(7) The AEMT shall maintain documentation of all continuing education for four (4) years from the date of completion.

Section 6. AEMT Reciprocity. (1) A person certified in another state or territory of the United States or member of the United States military who is registered by the NREMT as an Advanced EMT shall be eligible for direct reciprocity for initial Kentucky certification as an AEMT if the individual:

(a) Is at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(b) Holds current unrestricted registration as a NREMT-B;

(c) Has successfully completed a training program which utilized the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Administration, 1985 or 1999 National Standard Curriculum for Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate or the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Administration Scope of Practice Model based curriculum for Advanced Emergency Medical Technician as the curriculum for education, which shall not be satisfied by the completion of refresher or transition courses alone;

(d) Holds a college degree, high school diploma, GED or equivalent; and

(e) Holds a valid motor vehicle operators license from a state or territory in the United States.

(2) The individual shall:

(a) Understand, read, speak, and write the English language with a comprehension and performance level equal to at least the ninth grade of education, otherwise known as Level 4, verified by testing as necessary;

(b) Submit a completed and signed "Application for Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Initial Certification";

(d) Present written evidence of completion of current training in CPR that meets the requirements of Section 2 of this administrative regulation;

(e) Pay the fee required by 202 KAR 7:030;

(f) Not have been convicted of, or entered a guilty plea or Alford plea to a felony offense, or have completed a diversion program for a felony offense; and

(g) Not have been subjected to discipline that would prevent reciprocity at the time of application.

Section 7. Exemptions from AEMT Administrative Regulations. Certification requirements for an AEMT shall not apply to:

(1) United States military personnel or state National Guard or employees of the United States government while providing services on a United States government owned or operated facility, while engaged in the performance of their official duties under federal law or while providing assistance in a mass casualty or disaster type situation; or

(2) An AEMT certified in another state or territory of the United States who:

(a) Comes into Kentucky to transport a patient from another state into Kentucky; or

(b) Is transporting a patient from an out-of-state location through the state of Kentucky to an out-of-Kentucky location.

Section 8. Reinstatement of Certification. (1) An AEMT whose certification has lapsed for a period not exceeding five (5) years, may reinstate his or her certificate by submitting:

(a) A completed and signed "Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Certification Reinstatement Application";

(b) Written evidence of completion of current training in CPR meeting the requirements as outlined in Section 2 of this administrative regulation;

(d) Payment of the fee established in 202 KAR 7:030;

(e) Evidence of previous certification as an AEMT in Kentucky;

(f) Evidence of successful completion within twelve (12) months preceding the application for reinstatement of the AEMT continuing education requirement as outlined in Section 5(2)(b) of this administrative regulation; and

1. Five (5) hours in preparatory;

2. Five (5) hours in airway management and ventilation;

3. Twelve (12) hours in medical, including cardiology;

4. Eight (8) hours in trauma;

5. Four (4) hours in special considerations; and

6. Two (2) hours in operations; and

(g) Evidence of validation of skills maintenance by completing the "Advanced EMT Recertification Report".

(2) An AEMT, whose certification has lapsed for a period that exceeds five (5) years, may reinstate his or her certificate by complying with Sections 1 and 2 of this administrative regulation.

(3) An application for reinstatement of certification shall not be considered if:

(a) The applicant is subject to disciplinary action pursuant to KRS Chapter 311A;

(b) The applicant is an individual who has been convicted of, or entered a guilty plea or Alford plea to a felony offense, or has completed a diversion program for a felony offense; or

Section 9. Public Notice of Negative Action. The KBEMS office shall cause to be published, in the KBEMS News or similar publication of the board, or otherwise disseminate the name of an AEMT that is fined, is placed on probationary status, is placed on a restricted status, is suspended, or has had his or her certification revoked.

Section 10. Temporary Certificate. (1) KBEMS staff may issue a temporary certificate to an individual who:

(a) Submits a completed "Application for Temporary Certificate";

(b) Is at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(c) Understands, reads, speaks, and writes the English language with a comprehension and performance level equal to at least the ninth grade of education, otherwise known as Level 4, verified by testing as necessary;

(d) Provides proof of being currently certified or licensed in another state or territory of the United States or is currently registered by the NREMT as an AEMT, EMT-Intermediate/85, or EMT-Intermediate/99;

(e) Presents written evidence of completion of current HIV/AIDS training required by KRS 311A.110;

(f) Presents written evidence of completion of current training in CPR that meets the requirements of Section 2 of this administrative regulation;

(g) Pays the fee required by 202 KAR 7:030;

(h) Provides the board with a copy of a statewide criminal background check from the individual's state of residence;

(i) Is not an individual who has been convicted of, or entered a guilty plea or Alford plea to a felony offense, or has completed a diversion program for a felony offense; and

(j) Has not been disciplined by or has action pending against or had a certificate or license in the field of health care denied, limited, suspended, or probated by a certifying or licensing entity in Kentucky or other state or territory under the jurisdiction of the United States.

(2) A temporary certificate may be issued for a period which shall not exceed six (6) months and shall not be reissued or renewed.

Section 11. Except for individuals that have completed a board-approved Advanced EMT pilot program and who meet the requirements of Section 2 of this administrative regulation, the requirements of this administrative regulation shall apply on January 31, 2009.

Section 12. Incorporation by Reference. (1) The following material is incorporated by reference:

(a) United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Administration, "1985 or 1999 National Standard Curriculum for Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate", 1985 or 1999 Edition;

(b) United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Administration, "Scope of Practice Model based curriculum for Advanced Emergency Medical Technician", February 2007;

(d) "Universal Application for Renewal", July 2008;

(e) "Advanced EMT Recertification Report", October 2008;

(f) "Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Certification Reinstatement Application", July 2008; and

(g) "Application for Temporary Certificate", July 2008.

(2) This material may be inspected, copied, or subject to applicable copyright law, at the Office of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services, KCTCS, 300 N. Main Street, Versailles, Kentucky 40383, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (35 Ky.R. 467, 1153, eff. 12-5-2008.)