Sec.19a-179-16a. Minimum personnel qualifications - certification and licensure

(a) Medical Response Technician.

(1) In order to qualify for initial medical response technician certification, or for current certification of a lapsed certificate, an applicant shall meet one of the following requirements: (A) successfully complete, within twelve months of the date of application for certification, a training program, which if offered outside Connecticut, adheres to a United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, First Responder National Standard Curriculum and includes an examination. A training program offered in Connecticut shall be approved by the Department pursuant to section 19a-179-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and shall include an examination approved by the Department; (B) hold current certification as a person entitled to perform similar services under a different designation by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians or its successor organization as approved by the Department, or by a state which maintains certification requirements equal to or higher than those in this state; or (C) have held emergency medical technician certification pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies or emergency medical technician-intermediate pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(c) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies or paramedic licensure pursuant to chapter 384d of the Connecticut General Statutes and completed the examination required in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision.

(2) In order to qualify for recertification an applicant shall meet the following requirement:

(A) complete a minimum of fifteen hours of refresher training, approved by the Department pursuant to section 19a-179-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, at intervals not to exceed twenty-four months for the period starting with the date of the initial certification and extending through the end of the sixth consecutive year of certification. Starting in the seventh year of certification and thereafter, an applicant shall complete fifteen (15) hours of refresher training, approved by the Department pursuant to section 19a-179-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, at intervals not to exceed thirty-six months. Refresher training programs shall include both written and practical testing; (B) individuals may complete one out-of-state refresher training program throughout the lifetime of the certificate which may be accepted in lieu of a refresher training program required pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(a)(2)(A) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies provided: (i) the individual is currently certified as a medical response technician or as a person entitled to perform similar services under a different designation in another state; (ii) the refresher training program is equal to the refresher training program required pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(a)(2)(A) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; and (iii) the refresher training program is approved by the appropriate regulatory body of such other state.

(3) No certificate shall be issued to a person applying for certification pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(a)(1) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies against whom a complaint is pending adjudication in another state or with the Department of Public Health.

(b) Emergency Medical Technician

(1) In order to qualify for initial emergency medical technician certification, or for current certification of a lapsed certificate, an applicant shall successfully complete a written and practical examination prescribed by the Department and meet one of the following requirements: (A) successfully complete a training program which, if offered outside Connecticut, adheres to the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Emergency Medical Technician National Standard Curriculum. A training program offered in Connecticut shall be approved by the Department pursuant to section 19a-179-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; (B) hold current certification to perform similar services under a different designation by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians or its successor organization as approved by the Department, or by a state which maintains certification requirements equal to or higher than those in this state; or (C) hold a current unrestricted Connecticut registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, physician/surgeon, or physician assistant license and complete a minimum of twenty-five (25) hours of refresher training, approved by the Department pursuant to section 19a-179-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(2) In order to qualify for recertification, an applicant shall meet one of the following requirements: (A) complete a minimum of twenty-five (25) hours of refresher training, approved by the Department pursuant to section 19a-179-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, at intervals not to exceed twenty-four months for the period starting with the date of the initial certification and extending through the end of the sixth consecutive year of certification. Starting in the seventh year of certification and thereafter, an applicant shall complete twenty-five (25) hours of refresher training, approved by the Department pursuant to section 19a-179-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, at intervals not to exceed thirty-six months. Such refresher training programs shall include both written and practical testing; (B) successfully complete the examination required pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(b)(1) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies at intervals not to exceed twenty-four months for the period starting with the date of the initial certification and extending through the end of the sixth consecutive year of certification. Starting in the seventh year of certification and thereafter, an applicant shall complete the examination required pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(b)(1) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, at intervals not to exceed thirty-six months; (C) individuals may complete one out-of-state refresher training program throughout the lifetime of the certificate which may be accepted in lieu of a refresher training program required pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(b)(2)(A) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies provided: (i) the individual is currently certified as an emergency medical technician or as a person entitled to perform similar services under a different designation in another state; (ii) the refresher training program is equal to the refresher training program required pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(b)(2)(A) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; and (iii) the refresher training program is approved by the appropriate regulatory body of such other state; or (D) an applicant who is certified as an emergency medical services-instructor issued pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(d) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies may qualify for recertification as an emergency medical technician provided such emergency medical services-instructor served as an emergency medical services-instructor within two years of application for recertification, for the required modules of a training program required pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(b)(1)(A) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies or section 19a-179-16a(b)(2)(A) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies or equivalent modules in any Department-approved initial or refresher course.

(3) No certificate shall be issued to a person applying for certification pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(b)(1) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies against whom a complaint is pending adjudication in another state or with the Department of Public Health.

(c) Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate

(1) In order to qualify for initial emergency medical technician-intermediate certification, or for current certification of a lapsed certificate, an applicant shall successfully complete, within one year of date of application, an examination prescribed by the Department, and meet the following requirements: (A) hold current emergency medical technician certification issued pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and successfully complete a training program which, if offered outside Connecticut, includes those modules of a United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate National Standard Curriculum required by the Department or if offered in Connecticut, shall be approved by the Department. A training program offered in Connecticut must be approved by the Department pursuant to section 19a-179-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; or (B) hold current certification to perform similar services under a different designation by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians or its successor organization as approved by the Department, or by a state which maintains certification requirements equal to or higher than those in this state.

(2) In order to qualify for recertification, an applicant shall meet the following requirements: (A) complete a minimum of twenty-five (25) hours of refresher training required pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(b)(2)(A) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and approved by the Department pursuant to section 19a-179-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, at intervals not to exceed twenty-four months. Such refresher training programs shall include both written and practical testing; and (B) complete a minimum of twenty-three (23) credit hours of continuing education at intervals not to exceed twenty-four (24) months. Such twenty-three (23) hours shall include, but not be limited to, coursework in intravenous techniques and advanced airway management. One credit hour shall mean a minimum of sixty (60) minutes of live instruction which a participant physically attends, either individually or as part of a group. (C) Each certified emergency medical technician-intermediate shall maintain written documentation of completion of continuing education activity for a period of four years. Said documentation may be maintained by the sponsor hospital or emergency medical services provider with which such certificate holder is affiliated or employed. The Department may inspect such certificate holder records as it deems necessary. Such documentation shall be submitted to the Department only upon the Department's request to the certificate holder. The certificate holder shall submit such records to the Department within forty-five days of the Department's request.

(3) No certificate shall be issued to a person applying for certification pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(c)(1) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies against whom a complaint is pending adjudication in another state or with the Department of Public Health.

(d) Emergency Medical Services-Instructor

(1) In order to qualify for initial emergency medical services-instructor certification, or for current certification of a lapsed certificate, an applicant shall apply on forms prescribed by the Department and shall meet the following requirements: (A) hold current emergency medical technician certification issued pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies or Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate certification issued pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(c) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies or Paramedic licensure issued pursuant to section 20-206ll of the Connecticut General Statutes;(B) be recommended by a Connecticut Emergency Medical Services Regional Council or Connecticut State Agency. In order to obtain such Regional Council or Connecticut State Agency recommendation, the applicant shall submit to the regional council or Connecticut State Agency:(i) a letter of endorsement, signed by two currently certified emergency medical services-instructors documenting that the applicant has completed, under the supervision of such instructors, at least twenty-five (25) hours of student teaching in courses approved pursuant to section 19a-179-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; (ii) documentation that the applicant has a minimum of twenty-four (24) months of emergency medical service, within thirty-six (36) months of the date of application, with an ambulance or rescue organization or in the emergency medical care field as approved by the Department; (iii) evidence that the applicant satisfactorily completed, within the previous twelve (12) months, the written examination required pursuant to subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (b) of this section. The pass point for EMS-I applicants shall be prescribed by the Department; and (C) shall comply with one of the following: (i) successfully complete a Department approved emergency medical services instructor course, or its equivalent as approved by the Department. Application for emergency medical services instructor certification must be made to the Department within two years of completing an approved instructor course or its equivalent; or (ii) individuals who have successfully completed an approved emergency medical services instructor course or its equivalent as approved by the Department, more than two years prior to the date of application for emergency medical services instructor certification, shall provide evidence of at least fifty (50) hours of teaching experience every two years since completion of the course, on forms provided by the Department.

(2) In order to qualify for recertification, an applicant shall meet the following requirements: (A) satisfactorily accrue a minimum of fifty (50) contact hours consisting of attendance at approved continuing education courses and instruction of approved EMS courses within the prior twenty-four (24) month period. The fifty (50) contact hours shall include a minimum of thirty-five hours of teaching in at least five different topics of a training program approved pursuant to section 19a-179-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, and a minimum of five hours attained by attending continuing education approved by the Department. (B) Each certified emergency medical services-instructor shall maintain written documentation of completion of the requirements prescribed pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(d)(2)(A) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies for a period of four years. The Department may inspect such certificate holder records as it deems necessary. Such documentation shall be submitted to the Department only upon the Department's request. The certificate holder shall submit such records to the Department within forty-five (45) days of the Department's request. (C) Maintain current certification as an emergency medical technician pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(b)(2) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies or as an emergency medical technician-intermediate pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(c)(2) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies or maintain licensure as a Paramedic pursuant to section 20-20611 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(3) No certificate shall be issued to a person applying for certification pursuant to section 19a-179-16a(d)(1) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies against whom a complaint is pending adjudication in another state or with the Department of Public Health.

(e) Paramedic.

(1) In order to qualify for paramedic licensure an applicant shall meet the requirements of Chapter 384d of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(2) The training program, as used in section 20-206mm(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, means a program that, if offered outside Connecticut, is equal to or exceeds a training program adhering to the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Paramedic National Standard Curriculum. Training programs offered in Connecticut shall be approved in advance by the Department pursuant to section 19a-179-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(3) Reinstatement. A person previously licensed as a paramedic whose license has become void pursuant to section 19a-88 of the Connecticut General Statutes, may apply for licensure pursuant to the provisions of section 19a-14-1 to 19a-14-5, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(Adopted effective December 29, 2000)