| (a) Recertification requirements.
(1) Not later than the 30th day before the date a person's
certificate is scheduled to expire, the Department of State Health
Services (department) may send to the person a notice of expiration
at the address shown in the current records of the department.
(2) If a certificant has not received a notice of expiration
from the department 30 days prior to the expiration, it is the duty
of the certificant to notify the department and to request an application
for recertification or download an application from the Internet.
(3) To maintain certification status without a lapse,
an applicant shall submit a completed application for recertification
and shall meet all requirements for renewal of the current certification
prior to the expiration date of the current certificate, but no earlier
than one year prior to the expiration date.
(4) The certificant shall submit the following non-refundable
fees as applicable:
(A) $60 for Emergency Care Attendant (ECA) or Emergency
Medical Technician (EMT);
(B) $90 for Advanced EMT (AEMT), 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 non-refundable fee for ECA or EMT certification
shall be $15 per each year remaining in the certification. The non-refundable
fee for AEMT or EMT-P shall be $22.50 per each year remaining in the
certification. Any portion of a year will count as a full year.
(5) Recertification by voluntary downgrade. An individual
who holds a Texas EMS certification or paramedic license may renew
at a lower level by meeting the requirements of this subsection. The
applicant must meet the requirements for the lower level of certification
requested as described in subsection (b) or (f) or (g) of this section.
On the date the downgrade is final, the previous higher level of certification
becomes invalid. To regain the original higher level of certification,
the candidate shall meet the late recertification requirements outlined
in subsection (g) of this section, within one year after the expiration
date.
(6) A certificate is not transferable.
(7) Military personnel. A person certified by the department
who is deployed in support of military, security, or other action
by the United Nations Security Council, a national emergency declared
by the President of the United States, or a declaration of war by
the United States Congress is eligible for recertification under timely
recertification requirements from the person's date of demobilization
until one calendar year after the date of demobilization but will
not be certified during that period.
(A) In addition to requirements described in this subsection,
the candidate shall submit a copy of deployment and demobilization
orders.
(B) The four-year certification will commence on issue
date of the certificate.
(b) Recertification options. Upon submission of a completed
application for recertification, the applicant shall commit to, and
recertify through one of the options described in paragraphs (1) -
(5) of this subsection.
(1) Option 1--Written Examination Recertification Process.
(A) The applicant shall pass the National Registry
assessment exam. An overall score of 70 is considered to be passing.
(B) If the applicant fails the examination for recertification,
the applicant may attempt two retests of the examination after:
(i) submitting a retest application for each attempt
at any eligible level; and
(ii) submitting a non-refundable retest fee of $30
for each attempt.
(C) For each subsequent retest attempt, an applicant
may apply for and retest at a lower level by complying with paragraph
(1)(B) of this subsection, if applicable.
(D) An applicant who selects option 1 and attempts
the exam but does not pass the National Registry assessment examination
may not gain recertification by any other option and shall not qualify
for inactive certification addressed in §157.33(h) of this title
(relating to Certification) or subsection (f) or (g) of this section.
(E) An applicant who does not pass the third attempt
at the National Registry assessment examination:
(i) shall successfully complete a Formal Recertification
Course as described in paragraph (4) of this subsection; and
(ii) shall submit a course completion certificate of
the Formal recertification course, reflecting that the course was
completed after the 2nd retest failure; and
(iii) shall pass the National Registry assessment examination
in accordance with the provisions in subparagraphs (A) - (D) of this
paragraph.
(iv) shall not qualify for more than a total of six
attempts at the exam, in any combination of levels attempted.
(F) The certification status of an applicant who does
not successfully complete the examination recertification process
as described in paragraph (1)(A) - (E) of this subsection shall expire
on the date of the current certificate.
(G) The applicant has completed a state approved jurisprudence
examination to determine the knowledge on state EMS laws, rules, and
policies.
(2) Option 2--Continuing Education Recertification
Process.
(A) The certificant shall attest to accrual of department
approved EMS continuing education as specified in §157.38 of
this title (relating to Continuing Education); and
(B) the applicant has completed a state approved jurisprudence
examination to determine the knowledge on state EMS laws, rules, and
policies.
(3) Option 3--National Registry Recertification Process.
(A) The applicant shall attest to and hold current
National Registry certification at the time of applying for recertification;
and
(B) the applicant has completed a state approved jurisprudence
examination to determine the knowledge on state EMS laws, rules, and
policies.
(4) Option 4--Formal Course Recertification Process.
The applicant shall attest to successful completion of a department
approved recertification course.
(A) The recertification course shall be a formal structured
interactive training course as approved by the department and conducted
within the four-year certification period.
(B) The minimum contact hours required for recertification
courses are:
Attached Graphic
(C) The applicant has completed a state approved jurisprudence
examination to determine the knowledge on state EMS laws, rules, and
policies.
(5) Option 5--CCMP Recertification Process. An applicant
affiliated with an EMS provider that has a department-approved Comprehensive
Clinical Management Program (CCMP) may be recertified if:
(A) the applicant is currently credentialed in the
provider's CCMP;
(B) the applicant has been enrolled in the provider's
CCMP for at least six continuous months;
(C) the applicant submits to the department a signed
written statement by the CCMP's medical director, attesting to the
applicant's successful participation in and completion of the provider's
CCMP; and
(D) The applicant has completed a state approved jurisprudence
examination to determine the knowledge that the applicant has on state
EMS laws, rules, and policies.
(6) If a candidate wishes to change options (other
than option 1), another application form must be submitted. An additional
fee is not required if the candidate completes all requirements within
the same time period of the original submission.
(c) After verification by the department of the information
submitted by the applicant, that the information is true, correct
and complete with regard to the applicant meeting recertification
requirements by the certification expiration date, the department
shall recertify the applicant for four years, commencing on the day
following the expiration date of the most recent certificate. A candidate
must verify current certification before staffing an EMS vehicle.
Certification may be verified by the applicant's receipt of the official
department identification card, by using the department's certification
website, or by contacting the department directly.
(d) Applicant immunization history.
(1) If the applicant's immunization history is included
in the immunization registry as defined by Health and Safety Code, §161.007,
the department shall provide notice of the applicant's immunization
history using information from the immunization registry.
Cont'd... |
