Applying certain college courses for continuing education can be possible.  Many college courses, including, but not limited to, biology, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry and psychology, will not be accepted. They do not meet the recertification requirements and are unrelated to direct EMS patient care.

Education from other healthcare professions, such as nursing and medical school, may be used for recertification if the education directly applies to EMS topics or EMS patient care. An exception is the use of this education in the Operations section of the national component.

Beginning April 1, 2023, the only college courses allowed in the national component are EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic initial education program. Initial education programs used in the national component must be at or above your current level. Other college courses that directly apply to direct EMS patient care can apply to the local and individual components. 

   

Below you can find more helpful Information:    

   

1.     One hour of college credit is equal to eight hours of continuing education. So, as an example, a three-hour Anatomy course would be worth thirty hours of continuing education.    

2.     Not all course materials from a college course may be applied to your recertification    

3.     College courses will not cover all the needed topics and subtopics so other continuing education is needed to complete your recertification    

4.     College courses can only be used in the local and/or individual components    

5.     You will need to review your course materials, (syllabus, handouts, textbook) to see what is applicable to EMS, patient care related and within your scope of practice to be used towards your recertification.