6 Colo. Code Regs. § 1015-3-1-5

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, June 10, 2024

Section 6 CCR 1015-3-1-5 - Emergency Medical Services Provider Certification or Licensure

5.1 General Requirements

5.1.1 The Department may issue the following EMS provider certifications or licenses:

A) EMT

B) AEMT

C) EMT-I

D) Paramedic

E) Provisional ninety (90)-day certification or license at the EMT, AEMT, EMT-I or Paramedic level.

5.1.2 An EMS provider may apply for certification or licensure. Application for dual certification and licensure shall not be permitted.

5.1.3 No person shall hold himself or herself out as a certificate holder or licensee or offer, whether or not for compensation, any services included in these rules, or authorized acts permitted by the Rules Pertaining to EMS Practice and Medical Director Oversight, unless that person holds a valid certificate or license.

5.1.4 Certificates or licenses shall be effective for a period of three (3) years after the date of issuance. The date of issuance shall be determined by the date the Department approves the application.

5.1.5 Multiple certificates or licenses within the levels of EMS provider shall not be permitted. Certification or licensure at a higher level indicates that the certificate holder or licensee may also provide medical care allowed at all lower levels of certification or licensure.

5.1.6 If a certificate holder or licensee seeks a higher or lower level of certification or licensure, he or she shall satisfy the requirements for initial certification or licensure at the new level, except as described below.

A) If the higher level certificate or license is valid and in good standing or within six months of the expiration date, the applicant for a lower level certificate or license shall not be required to submit current and valid certification from the NREMT at the lower level.

5.2 Initial Certification or licensure

5.2.1 Applicants for initial certification or licensure shall be no less than eighteen (18) years of age at the time of application.

5.2.2 Applicants for initial certification or licensure shall submit to the Department a completed application provided by the Department, including the applicant's signature in a form and manner as determined by the Department, that contains the following:

A) Evidence of compliance with criminal history record check requirements:

1) The applicant must submit to a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint-based national criminal history record check from the Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI).

2) If the results of an applicant's fingerprint-based national criminal history record check reveal a record of arrest without a disposition, the applicant must submit to a name-based criminal history record check as defined in Section 22-2-119.3(6)(d), C.R.S.

3) If an applicant has twice submitted to a fingerprint-based criminal history record check and the FBI or CBI has been unable to classify the fingerprints, then the Department may accept a CBI and/or FBI name-based criminal history report generated through the CBI.

B) Evidence of current and valid certification from the NREMT at or above the EMS Provider level being applied for.

C) Evidence of current and valid professional level Basic Cardiac Life Support (CPR) course completion from a national or local organization approved by the Department, except as provided for in Paragraph H) below.

D) In addition to Paragraph C), above, Paramedic applicants shall submit evidence of current and valid Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) course completion from a national or local organization approved by the Department, except as provided in Paragraph H) below.

E) In addition to Paragraphs C) and D) above, a P-CC applicant shall submit evidence of current and valid Critical Care Paramedic or Flight Paramedic certification issued by the BCCTPC.

F) In additional to Paragraphs C) and D) above, a P-CP applicant shall submit the following additional information:

1) Current and valid Community Paramedic certification issued by the IBSC.

2) Proof of completion of a course in community paramedicine from one of the following institutions:

a) An accredited paramedic training program,

b) A college accredited by an educational accrediting body, or

c) A university accredited by an educational accrediting body.

G) While stationed or residing within Colorado, all veterans, active military service members, and members of the National Guard and reserves that are separating from an active duty tour, or the spouse of a veteran or a member, may apply for certification or licensure to practice in Colorado. The veteran, member, or spouse is exempt from the requirements of Paragraphs C) and D).

1) The Department may require evidence of military status and appropriate orders in order to determine eligibility for this exemption.

5.3 Renewal of Certification or Licensure

5.3.1 General Requirements

A) Upon the expiration date of a Department-issued certificate or license, the certificate or license is no longer valid and the individual shall not hold himself or herself out as a certificate or license holder, except under the circumstances specified below in Paragraph F).

B) Persons who have permitted their certification or license to expire:

1) Shall not, until such time as the Department has issued a new or renewed certification or license:

a) Hold themselves out as a certificate holder or licensee after the certification or licensure has expired, except as provided in Section 5.3 .1.F,

b) Offer or perform, whether or not for compensation, any services included in these rules, or

c) Offer or perform, whether or not for compensation, any authorized acts permitted by the Rules Pertaining to EMS Practice and Medical Director Oversight; and

2) May renew their certification or license by complying with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these rules (Renewal of Certification or License) for a period not to exceed six (6) months from the expiration date; or

3) Must, if certification or licensure has expired for a period of greater than six (6) months from the expiration date, comply with the provisions of Section 5.2 of these rules (Initial Certification or Licensure), unless exempted pursuant to Section 5.3.1.F below.

C) All certificates or licenses renewed by the Department shall be valid for three (3) years from the date of issuance.

D) Date of issuance is the date of application approval by the Department, except, for applicants successfully completing the renewal of certification or licensure requirements during the last six (6) months prior to their certificate or license expiration date, the date of issuance shall be the expiration date of the current valid certificate or license being renewed.

E) If a certificate holder or licensee has made timely and sufficient application for certification or license renewal and the Department fails to take action on the application prior to the certificate's or license's expiration date, the existing certification or license shall not expire until the Department acts upon the application. The Department, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether the application was timely and sufficient.

F) Certificate holders or licensees who have been called to federally funded active duty for more than 120 days to serve in a war, emergency or contingency, shall be exempt from the requirements of Sections 5.3.2.B.2 and 5.3.2.B.3 and 5.3.2.C below, provided the holder's certificate or license expired:

1) During the service, or

2) During the six months after the completion of service.

The Department may require appropriate documentation of service to determine eligibility for this exemption.

5.3.2 Application for Renewal of Certification or Licensure

An applicant for renewal of a certification or license shall:

A) Submit to the Department a completed application form provided by the Department, including the applicant's signature in a form and manner as determined by the Department;

B) Submit to the Department with a completed application form all of the following:

1) Evidence of compliance with criminal history record check requirements:

a) The applicant is not required to submit to a subsequent fingerprint-based criminal history record check if the applicant has lived in Colorado for more than three (3) years at the time of renewal application and the applicant has submitted to a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint-based national criminal history record check at the time of initial certification or licensure or at the time of a previous renewal of certification or licensure.

b) If the applicant has lived in Colorado for three (3) years or less at the time of renewal application and submitted to an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check at the time of initial certification or licensure or a previous renewal of certification or licensure, the applicant shall submit to another FBI fingerprint-based national criminal history record check from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

c) If, in accordance with Subparagraph b) above, an applicant has twice submitted to a fingerprint-based criminal history record check and the FBI or CBI has been unable to classify the fingerprints, then the Department may accept a CBI and/or FBI name-based criminal history report generated through the CBI.

d) If the results of the applicant's fingerprint-based national criminal history record check reveal a record of arrest without a disposition, the applicant must submit to a name-based criminal history record check as defined in Section 22-2-119.3(6)(d), C.R.S.

2) Evidence of current and valid professional level Basic Cardiac Life Support (CPR) course completion from a national or local organization approved by the Department.

3) In addition to Paragraph 2) above, EMT-I and Paramedic applicants shall submit evidence of current and valid Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) course completion from a national or local organization approved by the Department.

4) In addition to Paragraphs 2) and 3) above, an applicant for P-CC shall submit evidence of current and valid Critical Care Paramedic or Flight Paramedic Certification issued by the BCCTPC.

5) In addition to Paragraphs 2) and 3) above, applicants for P-CP shall submit evidence of current and valid Community Paramedic Certification issued by the IBSC.

C) Complete one of the following:

1) Except for an EMT-I, current and valid NREMT certification at or above the EMS provider level being renewed. The Department will continue to accept education hours consistent with Section 5.3.3 for renewal of EMT-I providers in the State of Colorado notwithstanding the discontinuance of the EMT-I exam by the NREMT.

2) Appropriate level refresher course as described in Section 5.3.3 conducted or approved through signature of a Department-recognized EMS education program representative and skill competency as attested to by signature of medical director or Department-recognized EMS education program representative.

3) The minimum number of education hours as described in Section 5.3.3 completed or approved through signature of a Department-recognized EMS education program representative and skill competency as attested to by signature of medical director or Department-recognized EMS education program representative.

5.3.3 Education Requirements to Renew a Certificate or License Without the Use of a Current and Valid NREMT Certification

A) For renewal of a certificate or license without the use of a current and valid NREMT certification, the following education is required:

1) Education required for the renewal of an EMT or AEMT certificate or license shall be no less than thirty-six (36) hours and shall be completed through one of the following:

a) A refresher course at the EMT or AEMT level conducted or approved by a Department-recognized EMS education program plus additional continuing education topics such that the total education hours is no less than thirty-six (36) hours; or

b) Continuing education topics consisting of no less than thirty-six (36) hours of education that is conducted or approved through a Department-recognized EMS education program consisting of the following minimum content requirements on the EMT or AEMT level:

i) One (1) hour of preparatory content that may include scene safety, quality improvement, health and safety of EMS providers, or medical legal concepts.

ii) Two (2) hours of obstetric patient assessment and treatment.

iii) Two (2) hours of pediatric patient assessment and treatment.

iv) Six (6) hours of trauma patient assessment and treatment.

v) Five (5) hours of patient assessment.

vi) Three (3) hours of airway assessment and management.

vii) Six (6) hours of medical/behavioral emergency patient assessment and management.

viii) Eleven (11) hours of elective content that is relevant to the practice of emergency medicine.

2) Education required for the renewal of an EMT-I or Paramedic certificate or license shall be no less than fifty (50) hours and shall be completed through one of the following methods:

a) A refresher course at the EMT-I or Paramedic level conducted or approved by a Department-recognized EMS education program plus additional continuing education topics such that the total education hours is no less than fifty (50) hours.

b) Continuing education topics consisting of no less than fifty (50) hours of education that is conducted or approved through a Department-recognized EMS education program consisting of the following minimum content requirements at the EMT-I or Paramedic level:

No less than twenty-five (25) hours as described below:

i) Eight (8) hours of airway, breathing, and cardiology assessment and treatment.

ii) Four (4) hours of medical patient assessment and treatment.

iii) Three (3) hours of trauma patient assessment and treatment.

iv) Four (4) hours of obstetric patient assessment and treatment.

v) Four (4) hours of pediatric patient assessment and treatment.

vi) Two (2) hours of operational tasks and no less than twenty-five (25) hours of elective content that is relevant to the practice of emergency medicine.

3) Education cannot be used in lieu of a valid and current BCCTPC Critical Care or Flight Paramedic Certification to maintain the Critical Care endorsement.

4) Education cannot be used in lieu of current and valid Community Paramedic certification issued by the IBSC.

5.3.4 In satisfaction of the requirements of Section 5.3.3 above, the Department may accept continuing medical education, training, or service completed by a member of the armed forces or reserves of the United States or the National Guard, military reserves or naval militia of any state, upon presentation of satisfactory evidence by the applicant for renewal of certification or licensure.

A) Satisfactory evidence may include but is not limited to the content of the education, method of delivery, length of program, qualifications of the instructor and method(s) used to evaluate the education provided.

5.4 Licensure

5.4.1 On or after January 1, 2021, an individual applying for an initial license or an individual who currently holds a valid Colorado Emergency Medical Service provider certificate who wishes to convert the certificate to a license shall:

A) Submit one transcript establishing that the applicant has:

1) Completed a four-year bachelor's degree program from an accredited college or university in a field related to the health sciences; or

2) Completed a four-year bachelor's degree program from an accredited college or university in an equivalent field as set forth in Section 5.4.2.

B) An applicant seeking initial licensure from the department as an EMS provider must also satisfy all requirements set forth in Section 5.2 of these rules.

C) An applicant seeking to convert certification to licensure, or who subsequently seeks renewal of licensure from the Department as an EMS provider, shall satisfy all requirements set forth in Section 5.3 of these rules.

5.4.2 A licensure applicant who seeks to establish that a four-year bachelor's degree program is in a field equivalent to the health sciences, as defined in Section 2.23, shall demonstrate the following:

A) The successful completion of a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and

B) Successful completion of a minimum of forty (40) semester credit hours from one or more of the following content areas, as contained in a single transcript:

1) Chemistry;

2) Biology;

3) Physics;

4) Mathematics;

5) Sociology;

6) Psychology;

7) Public health;

8) Anthropology;

9) Exercise science;

10) Philosophy;

11) Education;

12) Emergency medical services;

13) Fire science;

14) Public safety;

15) Business/finance; or

16) Communications.

5.5 Provisional Certification or Licensure

5.5.1 General Requirements

A) The Department may issue a provisional certification or license to an applicant whose fingerprint-based criminal history record check has not been received by the Department at the time of application for certification or licensure.

B) To be eligible for a provisional certification or license, the applicant shall, at the time of application, have satisfied all requirements in these rules for initial or renewal certification or licensure.

C) A provisional certification or license shall be valid for not more than ninety (90) days.

D) The Department may impose disciplinary sanctions pursuant to these rules if the Department finds that a certificate or license holder who has received a provisional certification or license has violated any of the certification or license requirements or any of these rules.

E) Once a provisional certification or license becomes invalid, an applicant may not practice or act as a certificate or license holder unless an initial or renewal certification or license has been issued by the Department to the applicant.

5.5.2 Application for Provisional Certification or Licensure

An applicant for a provisional certification or license shall:

A) Submit to the Department a completed provisional certification or licensure application.

B) Submit to a fingerprint-based criminal history record check as provided in Sections 5.2.2 and 5.3.2 of these rules. At the time of application, the applicant shall have already submitted the required materials to the CBI to initiate the fingerprint-based criminal history record check.

C) Submit to the Department with a completed application form all of the following:

1) A fee in the amount of $23.00.

2) A name-based criminal history record check.

a) If the applicant has lived in Colorado for more than three (3) years at the time of application, a name-based criminal history report conducted by the CBI, including any internet-based system on CBI's website, or other name-based report as determined by the Department.

b) If the applicant has lived in Colorado for three (3) years or less at the time of application, a name-based criminal history report for each state in which the applicant has lived for the past three (3) years, conducted by the respective states' bureaus of investigation or equivalent state-level law enforcement agency, or other name-based report as determined by the Department.

c) Any name-based criminal history report provided to the Department for purposes of this Paragraph c) shall have been obtained by the applicant not more than ninety (90) days prior to the Department's receipt of a completed application.

6 CCR 1015-3-1-5

37 CR 12, June 25, 2014, effective 5/21/2014

37 CR 12, June 25, 2014, effective 7/15/2014

37 CR 22, November 25, 2014, effective 12/15/2014

38 CR 24, December 25, 2015, effective 1/14/2016

40 CR 10, May 25, 2017, effective 7/1/2017

40 CR 20, October 25, 2017, effective 1/1/2018

40 CR 21, November 10, 2017, effective 1/1/2018

41 CR 23, December 10, 2018, effective 1/14/2019

43 CR 22, November 25, 2020, effective 1/1/2021

44 CR 23, December 10, 2021, effective 12/30/2021

45 CR 10, May 25, 2022, effective 6/14/2022

47 CR 10, May 25, 2024, effective 6/14/2024