(a)Certification requirements. A candidate for emergency
medical services (EMS) certification shall:
(1)(No change.)
(2)have a high school diploma or GED certificate:
(A)the high school diploma must be from a school accredited
by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) or a corresponding agency from
another state. Candidates who received a high school education in
another country must have their transcript evaluated by a foreign
credentials evaluation service that attests to its equivalency. A
home school diploma is acceptable [if it is accompanied by a
letter of acceptance into a regionally accredited college];
(B)(No change.)
(3)(No change.)
(4)The candidate has completed a
state approved jurisprudence examination to determine the knowledge
on state EMS laws, rules, and policies.
(5)[(4)] submit an application,
meeting the requirements in §157.3 of this title (relating to
Processing EMS Provider Licenses and Applications for EMS Personnel
Certification and Licensing), and the following nonrefundable fees
as applicable:
(A)$60 for emergency care attendant (ECA) or emergency
medical technician (EMT);
(B)$90 for 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 nonrefundable fee for ECA or EMT certification
shall be $15 per each year remaining in the certification. The nonrefundable
fee for AEMT [EMT-I] 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; [and]
(6)[(5)] provide evidence of
current active or inactive National Registry certification at the
appropriate level. National Registry First Responder certification
is considered the appropriate corresponding certification level for
an ECA; and[.]
(7)submit fingerprints through the
state approved fingerprinting service to undergo an FBI fingerprint
criminal history check.
(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. 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].
(c)Scheduling authority for certification examinations.
[(1)The department has final authority
for scheduling all certification examination sessions.]
(1)[(2)] Examinations shall
be administered at regularly scheduled times in various locations
across the state.
(2)[(3)] The candidate shall
be responsible for making appropriate arrangements for the examination.
(3)[(4)] The department is not
required to set special examination schedules for a single candidate
or for a specific group of candidates.
(d) - (g)(No change.)
(h)Inactive certification. A certified EMT, AEMT [
EMT-I], or EMT-P may make application to the department for
inactive certification at any time during the certification period
or within one year after the certificate expiration date.
(1) - (4)(No change.)
(i)Reciprocity.
(1)A person who is currently certified by the National
Registry but did not complete a department-approved course may apply
for the equal or lower level Texas certification by submitting a reciprocity
application and a nonrefundable fee of $120.
(A)Applicants holding National Registry AEMT [
EMT-intermediate] certification may be required to [
must] submit written verification of proficiency of AEMT [
EMT-intermediate] skills from an approved education program.
(B) - (D)(No change.)
(E)The candidate has completed a
state approved jurisprudence examination to determine the knowledge
on state EMS laws, rules, and policies.
(2)A person currently certified by another state may
apply for equal or lower level Texas certification by submitting a
reciprocity application and a nonrefundable fee of $120.
(A)(No change.)
(B)Applicants holding AEMT [EMT-intermediate
] out-of-state certification must submit written proof of proficiency
on all of the AEMT [EMT-intermediate] skills
signed by a Texas certified EMS coordinator or instructor.
(C)All applicants shall submit fingerprints
through the state approved fingerprinting service to undergo an FBI
fingerprint criminal history check.
(D)The applicant has completed a
state approved jurisprudence examination to determine the knowledge
on state EMS laws, rules, and policies.
(E)[(C)] Reciprocity is not
allowed for the ECA level.
(F)[(D)] A candidate will not
be eligible for reciprocity if the out-of-state certification expires
prior to the completion of all requirements for certification as listed
in this section.
(G)[(E)] A candidate who meets
the requirements of this section shall be certified for four years
beginning on the date of issuance of a certificate and wallet-size
certificate.
(3)(No change.)
(j)Equivalency.
(1)(No change.)
(2)A candidate applying for certification by equivalency
shall:
(A)(No change.)
(B)obtain a course completion document that verifies
that the program is satisfied that all curriculum requirements have
been met. 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; [and]
(C)the candidate may then apply for initial certification
with the department as described in subsection (a) of this section;
and[.]
(D)The applicant has completed a
state approved jurisprudence examination to determine the knowledge
on state EMS laws, rules, and policies.
(k)(No change.)
(l)Responsibilities of the EMS personnel.
During the license period, the EMS Personnel responsibilities shall
include:
(1)making accurate, complete and/or clearly written
patient care reports documenting a patient's condition upon arrival
at the scene and patient's status during transport, including signs,
symptoms, and responses during duration of transport as per EMS provider's
approved policy;
(2)reporting to the employer, appropriate legal authority
or the department, of abuse or injury to a patient or the public within
24 hours or the next business day after the event;
(3)following the approved medical director's protocol
and policies;
(4)taking precautions to prevent the misappropriation
of medications, supplies, equipment, personal items, or money belonging
to the patient, employer or any person or entity;
(5)maintaining skill and knowledge to perform the
duties or meet the responsibilities required of current level of EMS
certification; and
(6)notifying the department of a current and/or valid
mailing address within 30 days of any changes.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed
the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority
to adopt.
Filed
with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 1, 2016
TRD-201603832 Lisa Hernandez
General Counsel
Department of State Health Services
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 11, 2016
For further information, please call: (512) 776-6972
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