As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians announced March 13, 2020 two important modifications to the current recertification cycle for nationally registered EMS personnel.
NREMT's board of directors approved a motion extending the current recertification deadline from March 31, 2020 to June 30, 2020, according to a statement on the NREMT website. Additionally, for registrants due to recertify March 31, 2020, distributive education (DE) limitations will be removed. This allows all continuing education to be accomplished outside of classrooms.
“Given the dynamic nature of this global pandemic, the focus of our nation's EMS personnel should remain on personal well-being, patient safety and supporting their communities in need,” said Bill Seifarth, executive director of NREMT.
Here is a summary of modifications:
- All certifications with an expiration date of March 31, 2020 will remain valid until June 30, 2020;
- The current recertification deadline of March 31, 2020 has been extended to June 30, 2020;
- There will be no late fees for submissions after March 31, 2020;
- The DE limits will be waived for the remainder of this recertification cycle.
“We know that there are still many unanswered questions as to how these changes will be implemented and how the closures of schools and universities will impact the pipeline of EMS personnel seeking to test,” said Seifarth. “The registry will take the necessary time to work with the state EMS offices, program directors, and other stakeholders to properly address these issues and will share updates as information becomes available.”
On March 16, 2020 the NREMT released the following statement:
National Registry’s Response To Pearson VUE Suspending Operations
In response to the rapidly developing COVID-19 situation, Pearson VUE unexpectedly announced the temporary closure of testing centers in the United States and Canada. This directly impacts all National Registry examinations delivered by Pearson VUE. The National Registry was already preparing alternative pathways, in conjunction with partners, to ensure the continuity of certification and support the national EMS system during this crisis.
These are unprecedented times. As the Nation’s EMS Certification organization, we recognize the thousands of providers on the path to EMS service. We are finalizing potential solutions and will be sharing additional details in the coming days. We remain committed to supporting the vital work that you do.
For candidates and registrants with pending applications, no immediate action is required at this time. We will provide details as solutions are implemented.
To monitor updates, visit our COVID-19 response page at https://www.nremt.org/rwd/public/document/covid-19
