EMT-B Re-certification Period

[PFDRes47cue 653]

I was under the impression that if an EMT certification lapses you have a year to take a refresher. Is this still the case? I heard today that NYS changed the policy and there is now no limit on when you can refresh if your certification lapses...

[EMT111 149]

I was under the impression that if an EMT certification lapses you have a year to take a refresher. Is this still the case? I heard today that NYS changed the policy and there is now no limit on when you can refresh if your certification lapses...

Under the current NYS protocol, you can refresh at what ever the highest certification you had was no matter how long you've been expired.

[PFDRes47cue 653]

Under the current NYS protocol, you can refresh at what ever the highest certification you had was no matter how long you've been expired.

That makes sense. Thanks

Madison

[xfirefighter484x 234]

The above is true. However, if you are enrolled in, and taking a refresher/challenge course, and during that time your EMT-B lapses, NYS DoH will still recognize your EMT-B as valid, as you have made a "timely application for re-certification":

http://www.health.ny.gov/nysdoh/ems/certification/certification.htm

EMS Certification and Reciprocity Frequently Asked Questions

CFR/EMT/AEMT Recertification

Q: I was certified many years ago as an EMT in the State of New York but my certification has long since expired. Do I have to enroll in an EMT-Basic original course in order to recertify or am I eligible for an EMT-Basic challenge refresher course?

A: You are eligible for an EMT-Basic challenge refresher course. Once certified in New York State as a CFR/EMT/AEMT, you are always eligible for a challenge refresher course at or below the highest level of EMS provider certification you once held. Please note that your certification number that was issued to you when you were first certified as an EMS provider in the State of New York remains your EMS identification/certification number for life.

Q: I completed an EMT-Basic refresher course this month and sat for my State EMT-Basic Written Certification Exam 01/15/2009. I have not yet received the results of my State exam and my EMT-Basic certification expires 01/31/2009. What happens if I don't receive my results on or before 01/31/2009?

A: In this case, under the provisions of State Administrative Procedures Act, you have made timely application for recertification and remain certified as an EMT-Basic until you receive the results of your State exam (failure letter or EMT-Basic certification card) in writing from the NYS DOH BEMS.

http://www.health.ny.gov/nysdoh/ems/emtbr.htm

http://www.health.ny.gov/nysdoh/ems/pdf/refmod1.pdf

[Ga-Lin 86]

The above is true. However, if you are enrolled in, and taking a refresher/challenge course, and during that time your EMT-B lapses, NYS DoH will still recognize your EMT-B as valid, as you have made a "timely application for re-certification":

http://www.health.ny.gov/nysdoh/ems/certification/certification.htm

http://www.health.ny.gov/nysdoh/ems/emtbr.htm

http://www.health.ny.gov/nysdoh/ems/pdf/refmod1.pdf

This is only true if you have taken your State exam & you expire before getting the results. your cert remains valid until the results come in. Just being in a course doesn't do this. If you expire while in a course you may not function as an EMT & will not be able to until you pass your State exam.