Date: January 14th, 2010

EMS Instructors and Providers

It is the time of the year that numerous EMS providers are assuring that they have enough continuing education hours in order to recertify. Along with this there are numerous internet companies out there that are offering so called "online refresher courses" that proclaim that all of your refresher requirements can be completed online. The problem with this is that many individuals fall for this and expect that they may complete all of their education requirments through the internet and pay a healthy fee to do this. Then when the material is submitted to the National Registry it is either rejected or audited and the provider is left with no certification or requirements to complete more. In contacting the National Registry they have stated there are a lot of "fly-by-night" organizations that are offering this training with sad results.

North Dakota along with numerous other states follow National Registry guidelines. These guidelines at the EMT level state that a person may claim no more than 12 hours per year of continuing education per year no more than 10 hours of the EMT refresher course may be through distributive methods (internet/online/videos). So this means that you are only able to complete one half of the refresher requirements online and the rest must be classroom based. Education through the internet may not more than 34 hours for a recertification period. Educational programs in North Dakota have not used online refresher means at this time and most do not allow this activity due to inconsistant information and training.

If you need extra hours and your schedule is limited the Division of Emergency Medical Services encourages you to check out online education. There are companies that offer legitamate education for a reasonable price. There are also regional conferences being conducted by the EMS Association that you may receive reimbursement for a portion of the costs. If you so choose to purchase online education here are some points to look for to assure it is legitamate:

1. Make sure the education is approved for North Dakota. DEMST has approved a few out-of-state companies for delivering education within North Dakota and it should be stated on their website. If it is not stated, don't do it

2. If the website states that it is approved through CECBEMS (Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services) North Dakota accepts this level of education along with the National Registry.

3. Regional Conferences put on by the North Dakota EMS Association and other entities will give you the exact amount of education that has been approved through DEMST. This method also gives you the opportunity to ask questions and network with other providers.

4. You can always receive continuing education from your local service. Instructors are advised what can and cannot be used for education and are constantly in communication with the Department.

5. If you are unsure you can always contact us here at DEMST. If you contact us please have a website available or as much information as possible so that we may answer your concerns correctly. Remember even though you are volunteering or actively working for a service it is your responsibility to make sure that all requirements are met.

Just a reminder; DEMST no longer provides online education through our website.

Sincerely


Ed Gregoire, NREMT-P
State EMS Training Coordinator
ND Department of Health
Division of EMS and Trauma