Virginia Law

The enrolled student, certification candidate, or EMS provider must comply with the following:

1. Be proficient in reading, writing and speaking the English language in order to clearly communicate with a patient, family, or bystander to determine a chief complaint, nature of illness or, mechanism of injury; assess signs and symptoms; and interpret protocols.

2. Be a minimum of 16 years of age at the beginning date of the certification program. If less than 18 years of age, the student must provide the EMT instructor or the EMS educational coordinator with a completed parental permission form as approved by the Office of EMS with the signature of a parent or guardian supporting enrollment in the course.

3. Have no physical or mental impairment that would render the student or provider unable to perform all practical skills required for that level of certification including the ability to function and communicate independently and perform patient care, physical assessments, and treatments.

4. Hold current certification in an approved course in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the beginning date of the certification program. This certification must also be current at the time of state testing.

5. If in a bridge certification program, the student must hold current Virginia certification at the EMS First Responder level through completion of the certification examination process.