Iowa Admin. Code r. 641-131.5 - Renewal standards, reactivation procedures, fees, and continuing education
(1)
Renewal
of certification.
a. An emergency
medical care provider shall submit an application for renewal of an active Iowa
EMS certification within 90 days prior to the certification expiration
date.
b. The renewal application
and process are completed online via an individual Iowa EMS provider account.
The electronic portal to access individual accounts may be accessed through the
department's website.
c. Renewal
notifications will be sent to Iowa emergency medical care providers who have an
active certification set to expire in 90 days. The notification will be sent by
email to the address on file in the emergency medical care provider's
electronic profile.
d. It is the
emergency medical care provider's responsibility to ensure the electronic
profile information, including the email address, is updated and correct within
30 days of any change.
e. A renewal
certificate is valid for two years from the current expiration date unless
sooner surrendered, suspended or revoked.
f. A lower-level certificate may be renewed
if the individual voluntarily chooses to move from a higher level to a lower
level by completing all applicable continuing education requirements for the
lower level during the certification period and submitting a change of status
request, available from the department upon request.
g. A certification status becomes inactive if
the certificate has not been renewed by the certification expiration date
unless the emergency medical care provider is granted an extension as described
in subrule 131.5(3).
h. An
emergency medical care provider may request an inactive status. The request
must be made by submitting a change of status request, available from the
department upon request. A request for inactive status, when accepted in
connection with a disciplinary investigation or proceeding, has the same effect
as an order of revocation.
(2)
Late renewal of
certification.
a. An emergency
medical care provider who has completed the required continuing education
during the certification period but fails to submit the EMS renewal of
certification application and applicable fees prior to the certification
expiration date is eligible for late renewal of the inactive
certification.
b. The emergency
medical care provider shall complete the EMS renewal of certification
application, submit a late fee in addition to the applicable renewal fee and
submit an audit report form provided by the department. The fee and audit
report form shall be submitted before the last day of the month following the
certification expiration date. If the late renewal submission is not completed
by the last day of the month following the certification expiration date, the
certification remains inactive.
c.
An emergency medical care provider who has not completed the required
continuing education during the certification period is not eligible for late
renewal. The certification is inactive.
(3)
Extension of
certification.
a. An emergency
medical care provider who is unable to attain all continuing education
requirements within the certification period may request a 45-day extension. To
complete the extension process, the provider shall:
(1) Submit a request for extension
application, available from the department upon request, at least 7 days prior
to the certification expiration date, but no more than 90 days prior to the
certification expiration date, and payment of the extension fee.
(2) Complete the continuing education
requirements.
(3) Complete and
submit the EMS affirmative renewal of certification application, with all
applicable renewal fees, to the department prior to the extended expiration
date.
(4) Submit an audit report
form provided by the department.
b. If an emergency medical care provider
fails to submit any of the items required in subparagraphs 131.5(3)
"a"(2) and (3) by the 45th day of the extended certification
period, the certification will be inactive.
c. The emergency medical care provider may
not use continuing education completed during the extension period in the
subsequent renewal period.
(4)
Reactivation of an inactive
certification.
a.
Certification inactive up to 24 months. An emergency medical
care provider may apply to reactivate an inactive certification up to 24 months
after the certification became inactive.
(1)
An individual will submit to the department an EMS certification reactivation
application, which is available from the department upon request.
(2) If the department approves the
application, the individual must submit an audit report form with 36 core
continuing education hours prorated per lapsed year by core topic area and the
reactivation fee.
(3) Upon receipt
and approval of the items required in subparagraphs 131.5(4)
"a"(1) and (2), the department may issue a new certification.
(4) An emergency medical care
provider who fails to complete the reactivation process within 12 months from
the date of application approval must reapply for reactivation of the inactive
certification.
b.
Certification inactive from 25 months to 48 months. An
emergency medical care provider may apply to reactivate an inactive
certification that has been inactive for 25 months but no more than 48 months.
(1) An individual will submit to the
department an EMS certification reactivation application, which is available
from the department upon request.
(2) If the department approves the
application, the individual must submit documentation of successful completion
of an approved EMS refresher course that includes successful completion of
department or NREMT testing requirements. In addition, the individual must:
1. Complete fingerprint
requirements.
2. Submit
reactivation and background check fees.
3. Upon receipt and approval of the items
required in subparagraphs 131.5(4) "b"(1) and (2), the
department may issue a new certification.
4. An emergency medical care provider who
fails to complete the reactivation process within 12 months from the date of
application approval must reapply for reactivation of the inactive
certification.
c.
Certification inactive for more
than 48 months. An emergency medical care provider may not apply to
reactivate a certification that has been inactive for more than 48
months.
(5)
Reactivation of revoked or suspended certification.
a. Any person whose certification to practice
has been revoked or suspended may apply to the department for reactivation in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the order of revocation or
suspension, unless the order of revocation provides that the certification is
permanently revoked.
b. If the
order of revocation or suspension did not establish terms and conditions upon
which reactivation might occur or if the certification was voluntarily
surrendered, an initial application for reactivation may not be made until one
year has elapsed from the date of the order or the date of the voluntary
surrender.
c. All proceedings for
reactivation shall be initiated by the person whose certification has been
revoked or suspended in accordance with subrule 131.5(4). An application for
reactivation shall allege facts that, if established, will be sufficient to
enable the department to determine that the basis for the revocation or
suspension of the person's certification no longer exists and that it will be
in the public interest for the certification to be reinstated. The burden of
proof to establish such facts is on the person whose certification has been
suspended or revoked.
d. An order
denying or granting reactivation shall be based upon a decision that
incorporates findings of facts and conclusions of law.
(6)
Fees. The nonrefundable
fees are as follows:
a. Application for
initial Iowa certification at all certification levels: $30.
b. Reactivation of a certification to
practice: $30.
c. Renewal of a
certification to practice as a first responder, EMR: no fee.
d. Renewal of a certification to practice as
an EMT: no fee.
e. Renewal of a
certification to practice as an AEMT: $10.
f. Renewal of a certification to practice as
a paramedic: $25.
g. Late renewal
of a certification to practice: $30.
h. Returned payment due to insufficient
funds: $15.
i. Extension of
certification: $50.
(7)
Continuing education renewal.
a. The table below illustrates the minimum
number of core continuing education hours (CEHs) by topic area for each level
of emergency medical care provider to renew an Iowa EMS certification.
|
Core Topics |
EMR/FR |
EMT/EMT-D |
AEMT |
PM |
|
Airway, Respirations, Ventilations |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Cardiology |
2 |
6 |
7 |
9 |
|
Trauma |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
Medical |
3 |
6 |
8 |
9 |
|
Operations |
1 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
|
Totals |
8 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
b. All
core continuing education hours used to renew an Iowa EMS certification must
have a sponsor number by an authorized Iowa training program, the department,
the board of nursing, the board of medicine, or CAPCE before the emergency
medical care provider attends the offering.
c. An emergency medical care provider who is
registered with the NREMT may renew the provider's Iowa EMS certification by
meeting the NREMT's requirements. The emergency medical care provider must
submit the Iowa affirmative renewal of certification application and all
appropriate fees.
d. An emergency
medical care provider is deemed to have complied with the continuing education
requirements during periods in which the provider serves honorably on active
duty in the military services or for periods in which the provider is a
government employee working as an emergency medical care provider and assigned
to duty outside the United States. The emergency medical care provider must
submit the Iowa affirmative renewal of certification application, all
appropriate fees and documentation of assignment.
e. The emergency medical care provider must
maintain a file containing documentation of CEHs accrued during each
certification period for four years from the end of each certification
period.
f. A group of emergency
medical care providers will be audited for each certification period. Emergency
medical care providers to be audited will be chosen in a random manner or at
the discretion of the department. Falsifying reports or failure to comply with
the audit request may result in formal disciplinary action. Those audited must
submit a department-provided audit report form within 45 days of the request.
If audited, the emergency medical care provider must provide the following
information:
(1) Date of program.
(2) Program sponsor number.
(3) Title of program.
(4) Number of approved hours.
(8)
Continuing
education approval. The following standards apply for approval of
continuing education:
a. CEHs will have an
assigned sponsor number from CAPCE, an authorized EMS training program, the
board of nursing, the board of medicine or the department.
b. Human health-related college courses may
be approved in advance by the department at one quarter credit equal to 10
CEHs, one semester credit equal to 15 CEHs.
(9)
Out-of-state continuing
education. Out-of-state continuing education courses will be accepted
for CEHs if all criteria in subrule 131.5(7) are met and if the courses have
been approved for emergency medical care personnel in the state in which the
courses were held. A copy of course completion certificates (or other verifying
documentation) shall, upon request, be submitted to the department.
Notes
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
(1) Authority of emergency medical care provider . An emergency medical care provider who holds an active Iowa certification issued by the department or has permission to practice in Iowa pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 147D may:
a. As a member of a responding authorized service program , render emergency medical care and perform emergency medical care without contacting medical direction if written protocols have been approved by the service program medical director .
b. Function in any hospital or any other entity in which health care is ordinarily provided only when:
(1) Employed by or assigned to a hospital or other entity in which health care is ordinarily provided when under the direct supervision of a physician as a member of an authorized service program , or in an individual capacity, by rendering lifesaving services in the facility in which employed or assigned pursuant to the emergency medical care provider 's certification and under direct supervision of a physician , physician assistant , or registered nurse . An emergency medical care provider shall not routinely function without the direct supervision of a physician , physician assistant , or registered nurse . However, when the physician , physician assistant , or registered nurse cannot directly assume emergency care of the patient , the emergency medical care provider may perform, without direct supervision , emergency medical care procedures for which certified , if the life of the patient is in immediate danger and such care is required to preserve the patient 's life;
(2) Employed by or assigned to a hospital or other entity in which health care is ordinarily provided when under the direct supervision of a physician , as a member of an authorized service program , or in an individual capacity, to perform nonlifesaving procedures for which certified and designated in a written job description. Such procedures may be performed after the patient is observed by and when the emergency medical care provider is under the supervision of the physician , physician assistant , or registered nurse and where the procedure may be immediately abandoned without risk to the patient .
(2) Scope of practice.
a. Emergency medical care providers shall perform only those skills and procedures that are authorized within the scope of practice for which certified .
b. The Iowa Emergency Medical Care Provider Scope of Practice (September 2019) is hereby incorporated and adopted by reference for emergency medical care providers. For any differences that may occur between the scope of practice adopted by reference and these rules, the rules shall prevail.
c. The Iowa Emergency Medical Care Provider Scope of Practice (September 2019) is available on the BETS website(www.idph.iowa.gov/BETS/EMS/provider-information).
d. The department may grant a waiver for changes to the scope of practice that have not yet been adopted by reference in these rules pursuant to 641-Chapter 178.