Article 2. Certification Process and Practice
12VAC5-31-1385. Certifcation periods.
Article 2
Certification Process and Practice
An EMS certification is valid for the prescribed period as defined in Article 1 of this part for each level of certification unless suspended or revoked by the commissioner.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-1387. Virginia EMS certification is required to practice.
In order to function as an EMS provider in the Commonwealth of Virginia, providers must hold a valid certification as issued by the commissioner and as defined in 12VAC5-31-1040.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-1389. Initial course certification.
A. Candidates must successfully complete an approved Virginia certification course to be eligible for the certification examination.
B. Candidates must then successfully complete the certification examination to receive Virginia certification at the level for which the course is approved.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-1390. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3, eff. January 15, 2003; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-1391. Certification through reciprocity.
A person holding valid EMS certification from another state or a recognized EMS certifying body with which Virginia has a formal written agreement of reciprocity or possessing a National Registry certification at the EMR, EMT, Advanced EMT, Intermediate 99 or Paramedic level shall apply to the commissioner for reciprocity upon demonstration of Virginia residency, Virginia EMS agency affiliation, or a recognized need for Virginia EMS certification and demonstrate as defined by the Office of EMS eligibility for certification at the level sought in Virginia from the state in which the same level training program was held.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-1393. Certification through legal recognition.
A person holding valid EMS certification from another state or a recognized EMS certifying body who does not meet the criteria in 12VAC5-31-1391 shall apply to the commissioner for legal recognition upon demonstration of Virginia residency, Virginia EMS agency affiliation, or a recognized need for Virginia EMS certification. Legal recognition may be issued for a period of one year or the duration of his current certification, whichever is shorter. Legal recognition is not available for any Virginia certification level if the Board of Health has determined that no equivalent exists at the level requested.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-1395. EMT certification challenge.
A practical nurse, registered nurse to include those recognized through the Nurse Licensure Compact (§ 54.1-3030 et seq. of the Code of Virginia), physician assistant, dentist, or chiropractor who holds a current license to practice in Virginia; military corpsman with current credentials; and third or fourth year medical students shall apply to the commissioner for authorization to challenge at the EMT level. Upon completing the requirements for the EMT recertification and receiving notification of testing eligibility the candidate must complete the written and practical examination. Examination waivers are not allowed.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-1400. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 3, eff. January 15, 2003; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-1401. General recertification requirements.
A. An EMS provider requesting recertification must complete the continuing education hour requirements, as identified in 12VAC5-31-1403, for the level at which the EMS provider is requesting to be recertified. The Office of EMS must receive documentation of the EMS provider's completion of continuing education within the issued certification period for the provider to maintain a current certification.
B. An EMS provider under legal recognition pursuant to 12VAC5-31-1393 must recertify by passing a Virginia written and practical EMS certification examination.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12, 32.1-111.4, and 32.1-111.5 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2014.
12VAC5-31-1403. EMS provider recertification required.
A. Recertification of EMS credentials requires each individual to complete continuing education requirements as approved by the Board of Health and fulfill the recertification process before the expiration date of an applicable certification or reentry period.
B. The Board of Health will determine the continuing education hour and topic category requirements for each certification level.
C. Evidence of completion of the continuing education requirements must be received by the Office of EMS prior to the certification expiration.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-1405. Documentation of continuing education (CE).
A. Continuing education credit is only awarded to courses announced to the Office of EMS in a format as approved by the Office of EMS prior to the course being conducted and other programs approved by the Office of EMS for award of CE.
B. Award of credit for attendance in a CE program shall be submitted in a format approved by the Office of EMS.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.
12VAC5-31-1407. Recertifcation through reentry.
A. Individuals whose certification has expired may regain certification through completion of the reentry program within two years of the specific certification's expiration date. To reenter the person must fulfill the requirements as applicable in this chapter including all required testing within the two-year reentry period.
B. Individuals failing to complete the reentry process by the end of the two-year period following certification expiration will be required to complete an initial training program for the level lost.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2012.