202 Ky. Admin. Regs. 7:410

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 202 KAR 7:410 - Advanced practice paramedics

RELATES TO: KRS 12.355, 72.020, 311A.025, 311A.050-311A.100, 311A.120-311A.135, 311A.142, 311A.170, 311A.185, 311A.190, 446.400

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 311A.025(2) requires the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services to promulgate administrative regulations establishing the educational requirements, testing requirements, credentialing, and licensure requirements of advanced practice paramedics. This administrative regulation establishes those requirements.

Section 1. Licensure of Advanced Practice Paramedics. In accordance with this administrative regulation, the board office shall issue an advanced practice paramedic license to an individual certified as a community paramedic or wilderness paramedic.

Section 2. Certification of Community Paramedics.

(1) An individual shall be eligible to enroll as a student in a community paramedic education and training program if the applicant:

(a) Holds a current unrestricted license as a paramedic in Kentucky or holds a current unrestricted certification with the NREMT as a Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP);

(b) Is not currently subject to disciplinary action pursuant to KRS Chapter 311A that would prevent certification; and

(c) Meets all additional requirements established by the EMS-TEI.

(2) Individuals desiring initial board certification as a community paramedic shall:

(a) Hold a current unrestricted license as a paramedic in Kentucky;

(b) Successfully complete all EMS-TEI requirements for the community paramedic education and training program, which shall include all requirements of the International Board of Special Certification (IBSC) to test for IBSC certification as a community paramedic (CP-C);

(c) Obtain certification as a community paramedic (CP-C) by the International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC);

(d) If operating under a board-approved community paramedic pilot program, obtain IBSC certification as a community paramedic by no later than January 1, 2026; and

(e) Submit a completed Advanced Practice Paramedic-Community Paramedic Certification Application in KEMSIS.

(3) To be eligible for renewal of a community paramedic certification, a community paramedic shall:

(a) Meet the requirements for paramedic licensure renewal in accordance with 202 KAR 7:401;

(b) Submit a completed Advanced Practice Paramedic-Community Paramedic Certification Renewal Application in KEMSIS;

(c) Pay the renewal fee pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030; and

(d) Submit to the board written evidence of:

1. Current certification by the International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC) as a community paramedic (CP-C); or

2. At least fifteen (15) hours of continuing education on the following subject areas unique to community paramedicine:

a. Community based needs;

b. Interdisciplinary collaboration;

c. Patient centric care;

d. Wellness and safety;

e. Preventative care and education for patient or client and caregiver; or

f. Ethical and legal consideration preventative care and patient education.

(4) An application for renewal of community paramedic certification shall be denied if:

(a) Prior to the certification expiration date, the applicant has not met the requirements of this section; or

(b) The applicant has been subjected to disciplinary action that prevents certification renewal at the time of application.

(5) An individual seeking reciprocity as a community paramedic shall:

(a) Meet the requirements for paramedic reciprocity in accordance with 202 KAR 7:401;

(b) Have a current certification from the International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC) as a community paramedic (CP-C); and

(c) Submit to the board a completed Advanced Practice Paramedic-Community Paramedic Certification Application in KEMSIS.

Section 3. Certification of Wilderness Paramedics.

(1) An individual shall be eligible to enroll as a student in a wilderness paramedic education and training program if the applicant:

(a) Holds a current unrestricted license as a paramedic in Kentucky or holds a current unrestricted certification with the NREMT as a Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP);

(b) Is not currently subject to disciplinary action pursuant to KRS Chapter 311A that would prevent certification; and

(c) Meets all additional requirements established by the EMS-TEI.

(2) Individuals desiring initial board certification as a wilderness paramedic shall:

(a) Hold a current unrestricted license as a paramedic in Kentucky;

(b) Successfully complete all EMS-TEI requirements for the wilderness paramedic education and training program, which shall include all requirements of the International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC) to test for IBSC certification as a wilderness paramedic (WC-P), or, successfully complete a wilderness medicine upgrade course equivalent to Wilderness First Responder or higher from an organization approved by the board that provides certification in wilderness medicine;

(c) Obtain a certification as a wilderness paramedic (WP-C) from the International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC); and

(d) Submit a completed Advanced Practice Paramedic-Wilderness Paramedic Certification Application in KEMSIS.

(3) To be eligible for renewal of a wilderness paramedic certification, a wilderness paramedic shall:

(a) Meet the requirements for paramedic licensure renewal in accordance with 202 KAR 7:401;

(b) Submit a completed Advanced Practice Paramedic-Wilderness Paramedic Certification Renewal Application in KEMSIS;

(c) Pay the renewal fee pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030; and

(d) Submit to the board written evidence of current certification by the International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC) as a wilderness paramedic (WP-C).

(4) An application for renewal of a wilderness paramedic certification shall be denied if:

(a) Prior to the certification expiration date, the applicant has not met the requirements of this section; or

(b) The applicant has been subjected to disciplinary action that prevents certification renewal at the time of application.

(5) An individual seeking reciprocity as a wilderness paramedic shall:

(a) Meet the requirements for paramedic reciprocity in accordance with 202 KAR 7:401;

(b) Have a current certification from the International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC) as a wilderness paramedic (WP-C);

(c) Satisfy the requirements of subsection (2) of this section; and

(d) Submit to the board a completed Advanced Practice Paramedic-Wilderness Paramedic Certification Application in KEMSIS.

Section 4. Expiration of Advanced Practice Paramedic License and Certification.

(1) A board-issued advanced practice paramedic license and a board-issued certification as a community paramedic or wilderness paramedic shall lapse or expire upon lapse or expiration of the individual's board-issued paramedic license pursuant to KRS 311A.095.

(2) An individual whose board-issued advanced practice paramedic license and board-issued certification as a community paramedic or wilderness paramedic has lapsed or expired shall cease providing the specialty care authorized by the lapsed or expired license and certification.

Section 5. Scope of Practice.

(1) An advanced practice paramedic shall provide care consistent with the skills, procedures, and techniques established in the current EMS Advanced Practice Paramedic Scope of Practice document.

(2) Assessment of techniques, skills, and procedures of an advanced practice paramedic shall be subject to the board-approved agency medical protocols adopted by the advance practice paramedic's agency.

Section 6. Exemptions to this Administrative Regulation. The advanced practice paramedic licensure and certification requirements established by this administrative regulation shall not apply to: United States military members, National Guard personnel, or employees of the United States government if the individual provides services:

(1) On land owned by the United States government;

(2) In facilities owned by the United States government;

(3) In the performance of official duties under federal law; or

(4) As part of assistance for a mass casualty or disaster incident pursuant to federal law or an official state assistance request.

Section 7. Public Notice of Negative Action. The board office shall cause to be published on the board's Web site the name of an advanced practice paramedic who:

(1) Is fined;

(2) Is placed on probationary status;

(3) Is placed on restricted status;

(4) Is suspended; or

(5) Has had their license or certification revoked.

Section 8. Surrender of Advanced Practice Paramedic License and Certification.

(1) An advanced practice paramedic surrendering his or her license as an advanced practice paramedic and certification as a community paramedic or wilderness paramedic shall submit a completed Advanced Practice Paramedic License and Certification Surrender Application in KEMSIS.

(2) Upon surrendering an advanced practice paramedic license and applicable certification, the surrendering individual shall immediately give notice to his or her agency's director.

Section 9. Incorporation by Reference.

(1) The following material is incorporated by reference:

(a) "Advanced Practice Paramedic - Community Paramedic Certification Application", in KEMSIS, http://kemsis.ky.gov;

(b) "Advanced Practice Paramedic - Community Paramedic Certification Renewal Application", in KEMSIS, http://kemsis.ky.gov;

(c) "Advanced Practice Paramedic License and Certification Surrender Application", in KEMSIS, http://kemsis.ky.gov;

(d) "Advanced Practice Paramedic - Wilderness Paramedic Certification Application", in KEMSIS, http://kemsis.ky.gov;

(e) "Advanced Practice Paramedic - Wilderness Paramedic Certification Renewal Application", in KEMSIS, http://kemsis.ky.gov; and

(f) "EMS Advanced Practice Paramedic Scope of Practice", document, kbems.ky.gov.

(2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Office of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services, 500 Mero Street, 5th Floor 5SE32, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

202 KAR 7:410

50 Ky.R. 1209; eff. 2/16/2024.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 311A.020, 311A.025, 311A.120, 311A.125, 311A.135, 311A.170