| (a) Certification requirements. A candidate for emergency medical
services (EMS) certification shall:
(1) be at least 18 years of age;
(2) have a high school diploma or GED certificate;
(3) have successfully completed a Texas Department of Health
(department)-approved course; and
(4) submit an application and the following nonrefundable fees
as applicable:
(A) $50 for emergency care attendant (ECA) or emergency medical
technician (EMT);
(B) $75 for EMT-intermediate (EMT-I) or EMT-paramedic (EMT-P);
and
(C) EMS volunteer - no fee. However, if such an individual
receives compensation during the certification period, the exemption ceases
and the individual shall pay a prorated fee to the department based on the
number of years remaining in the certification period when employment begins.
The nonrefundable fee for ECA or EMT certification shall be $12.50 per each
year remaining in the certification. The nonrefundable fee for EMT-I or EMT-P
shall be $18.75 per each year remaining in the certification. Any portion
of a year will count as a full year; and
(5) pass the department's written examination or the National
Registry examination.
(b) Length of certification. A candidate who meets the requirements
of subsection (a) of this section shall be certified for four years beginning
on the date of issuance of a certificate and wallet-size certificate.
(c) Scheduling authority for certification examinations.
(1) The department has final authority for scheduling all certification
examination sessions.
(2) Examinations shall be administered at regularly scheduled
times in regional test centers.
(3) The candidate shall be responsible for making appropriate
arrangements for the examination.
(4) The department is not required to set special examination
schedules for a single candidate or for a specific group of candidates.
(d) Time limits for completing requirements.
(1) A candidate shall complete all requirements for certification
no later than one year after the candidate's course completion date.
(2) A candidate who does not complete all requirements for
certification within one year of the candidate's initial course completion
date must meet the requirements of subsection (a) of this section including
the completion of another initial course to achieve certification.
(e) Retesting.
(1) A candidate who does not pass the department's written
examination may retest after:
(A) submitting an application to retest; and
(B) paying a nonrefundable fee of $25, if applicable.
(2) A candidate who does not pass a retest may request a second
retest after:
(A) submitting documentation that verifies completion of a
department-approved formal refresher course;
(B) submitting an application to retest; and
(C) paying a nonrefundable fee of $25, if applicable.
(3) A candidate who does not pass a second retest must meet
the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, which includes a refresher
course and passing of the retest examination, within one year after the initial
course was completed.
(f) Prolonged application process by the department. If the
application approval process is prolonged due to a felony/misdemeanor conviction
investigation or other administrative procedure within the department, the
time period for determination of certification eligibility will be extended
to reasonably accommodate the candidate and/or the department.
(g) Non-transferability of certificate. A certificate is not
transferable. A duplicate certificate may be issued if requested with a nonrefundable
fee of $5.
(h) Completion of higher level courses. Individuals who successfully
complete certification requirements for a higher level of certification are
considered certified only at the higher level. The completion of a course
at a higher level of certification shall satisfy the course completion requirements
for a lower level of certification, and the individual may apply for certification
at the lower level by following the procedure listed in subsections (a)-(c)
of this section.
(i) Voluntary downgrades. An individual who holds EMS certification
may be certified at a lower level voluntarily for the remainder of a current
certification by submitting an application for certification and the applicable
nonrefundable fee as required in subsection (a)(4) of this section;
(j) Inactive status. A certified EMT, EMT-I, or EMT-P may make
application to the department for inactive status at any time during or after
the certification period so long as the certification can be verified by department.
(1) The request for inactive status shall be accompanied by
a nonrefundable fee of $25 in addition to the regular nonrefundable application
fee.
(2) The initial inactive status period shall remain in effect
until the end of the current certification period for those candidates who
are currently certified and may be renewable every four years thereafter by
submitting an application and the appropriate nonrefundable fee as in subsection
(a)(4)(A) and (B) of this section.
(3) The initial inactive status period shall remain in effect
for four years from the date of issuance for those candidates not currently
certified.
(4) While on inactive status, a person shall not practice other
than to act as a bystander rendering first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) or the use of an Automated External Defibrillator in the capacity of
a lay person. Practicing in any other capacity for compensation or as a volunteer
shall be cause for denial of reentry and decertification.
(5) An individual shall not simultaneously hold inactive and
active EMS personnel certification.
(k) Reciprocity. A person currently certified by the National
Registry or in another state may be certified by submitting an application
and a nonrefundable fee of $100.
(1) After evaluation of the application and verification of
the certification by the department, the candidate will be certified for one
year.
(2) Prior to the expiration of the one-year certification,
the certificant shall:
(A) submit a completed personnel certification application
and a nonrefundable fee as in subsection (a)(4) of this section;
(B) pass the department's written examination or the National
Registry examination within one year after the initial reciprocity certification
has been granted.
(3) After verification by the department of the information
submitted, a candidate who meets the requirements of this section shall be
certified for four years beginning on the date of issuance of the certificate.
(l) Equivalency.
(1) A candidate for certification who completed EMS training
outside the United States or its possessions, or a candidate who is certified
or licensed in another healthcare discipline shall:
(A) be at least 18 years of age;
(B) submit a copy of the curriculum completed by the candidate
for review by a regionally accredited post secondary institution approved
by the department to sponsor an EMS education program;
(C) document correction of any deficiencies identified during
review of the curriculum by submitting evidence of remedial training from
a department approved EMS education program;
(D) submit an application and appropriate nonrefundable fee
listed in subsection (a) of this section to the department; and
(E) pass the department's initial written examination.
(2) Evaluations of curricula conducted by post secondary educational
institutions under this subsection shall be consistent with the institution's
established policies and procedures for awarding credit by transfer or advanced
placement.
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