NREMT Allows Psychomotor Exams During COVID-19 Pandemic

PRESS RELEASE

The National Registry supports the administration of psychomotor examinations in locations that they can be safely administered following local and state guidelines. The decision to hold a psychomotor examination is the responsibility of the Examination Coordinator and the National Registry Representative in coordination with their state EMS authority. Psychomotor examinations need to be administered following the health and safety guidelines provided by local and state health authorities. 

Below are guidelines for how examinations may be modified from the standard requirements to ensure state and local guidelines are followed. These modifications will be in place for the duration of the national emergency or until otherwise notified by the National Registry. 

The psychomotor examination should be administered in a manner as close to the standard format as possible. The following modifications may be used to ensure all local and state guidelines are met. Additional modifications must be approved in advance by the National Registry. 

Candidates may be scheduled for individual testing windows rather than congregating as a large group. 

1. Standard manikins may portray simulated patients. 

The National Registry Representative should emphasize that any attempt to breach the security of the examination, including communication with other candidates about examination content, is strictly prohibited and will immediately be addressed.

2. Standard manikins may portray simulated patients. 

• Appropriate moulage should be applied. 
• CPR manikins can be adapted to appear as a standard manikin by stuffing pants to add legs, etc. 
• The skill examiner will supply the necessary information to the candidate that would have been provided by a live patient. 

3. Professional paramedic partners and EMT assistants are not needed.  

The responses of paramedic partners and EMT assistants may be verbalized by the skill examiner.

4. The requirement for high-fidelity simulators is waived for the Integrated Out-of-Hospital Scenario, Patient Assessment – Trauma, Patient Assessment – Medical skills for the duration of the national emergency. 

A rhythm generator is needed for the Dynamic Cardiology skill. 
 

The National Registry is preparing materials to help support psychomotor administration. National Registry Representatives will receive more information next week. 

Please contact the Exams Department at the National Registry for questions regarding the adjusted guidelines at exams@nremt.org. 

National Registry COVID19 Update Site

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