Apply to become an EMS Instructor/Coordinator

Requirements to receive Department approval as an Instructor/Coordinator (I/C):

1. Current, valid certification as a Massachusetts EMT-Basic, Advanced EMT, or Paramedic.
2. Experience as an EMT with an ambulance service
   1. In accordance with 105 CMR 170.977(B)(3), candidates for I/C approval (candidate) are required to have, at minimum, three years’ experience, within the past 10 years, working for an ambulance service as an EMT providing EMS care, at or above the level of EMT training to be taught.
3. Affiliation with a Department-accredited EMT training institution (ATI)
   1. The candidate is required to be affiliated with an ATI where they intend to complete their orientation (internship). A complete list of ATIs may be found at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/find-an-accredited-emt-training-institution. The ATI Program Director must sign the Accredited Training Institution Sponsorship/Affiliation form (PDF) l (DOC) attesting to the acceptance of the candidate for internship.
4. Completion of a Department-approved I/C course
   1. There are 2 master instructors approved to conduct the I/C training course in Massachusetts, or a candidate may complete a National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) Level 1 Instructor course. Please contact the instructor/sponsor to inquire about their next scheduled I/C course.
      • Mark Forgues 
        Email: markforgues@verizon.net
      • Greg West 
        Email: instructorwest@gmail.com
      • National Association of EMS Educators 
        Website: https://naemse.org/page/IC1general
5. Application submission
   1. I/C applications are valid for one year following submission. Once the Department approves an internship, the candidate must complete that internship within one year from approval. If not, the candidate will be required to submit a new application for approval before starting and completing a new internship.  I/C internships completed more than one year from internship approval are not valid.
6. Internship completion
   1. I/C approval at the EMT-Basic level only: Once the Department has issued internship approval, the candidate must complete a 52-hour internship teaching within an EMT-Basic course, with evaluation(s) by the supervising I/C.
   2. I/C approval at the EMT-Basic and Advanced EMT level: Once the Department has issued approval to do so, complete either:
      • a 52-hour internship teaching within an initial Advanced EMT course, with an evaluation by a supervising I/C, or
      • A 50-hour internship teaching within an initial EMT-Basic course, and 2 hours of an initial AEMT/Paramedic course or 2 hours of Advanced Life Support (ALS) continuing education, with evaluation(s) by the supervising I/C who is certified at either the Advanced EMT or Paramedic level.
7. Once the candidate completes the internship, the candidate submits the Orientation/Internship Evaluation form (PDF) l (DOC) to the Department for final review

Levels of Instructor/Coordinator Approval:

1. EMT-Basic level: approval to teach initial EMT-Basic courses in Massachusetts. Applicants must hold MA EMT-Basic, Advanced EMT or Paramedic certification.
2. EMT-Basic and Advanced EMT level: approval to teach initial EMT-Basic and Advanced EMT courses in Massachusetts. Applicants must hold MA Advanced EMT or Paramedic certification.

Existing I/Cs at the EMT-Basic level may apply for upgrade of their approval, in accordance with the following instructions:

To complete the online initial approval application:

• Log into your account on the Department’s eLicensing website, at https://healthprofessionlicensing.mass.gov. If you do not already hold an account, please create one, and “link” your existing EMT-Basic, Advanced EMT, or Paramedic certification.
  • Once you have signed into your account from the Licensing Home Page, select “Apply for a New License,” then Office of Emergency Medical Services, then Instructor/Coordinator.
  • The eLicensing application will guide you through submitting all required information.
• Please be prepared to submit:
  • Documentation of experience working as an EMT providing patient care, with a licensed ambulance service for 3 years within the last 10 years.
    • To apply for I/C approval at the EMT-Basic and Advanced EMT level, you must have 3 years’ experience providing care at the ALS level within the last 10 years. If you do not have this experience, you may apply for I/C approval at the EMT-Basic level only, and upgrade once they have the required ALS experience.
    • This minimum experience requirement must be met before this application can be submitted. Please note that to function as an EMT in the Commonwealth, an individual must be working with a Massachusetts licensed ambulance service. The contact person listed must be the Director or Chief of the ambulance service and must be able to verify employment dates and status. The contact person must sign the Experience as an EMT with a Licensed Ambulance Service form (PDF) l (DOC), and you must upload it to the application to continue.
  • Documentation of Affiliation with a Department-accredited EMT training institution (ATI) sponsorship/affiliation
    • The ATI Program Director must complete the Accredited Training Institution Sponsorship/Affiliation form (PDF) l (DOC) indicating approval for you to complete your internship. You may begin your internship only after you receive approval from the Department.
    • I/C applications are valid for one year following submission. Once an internship is approved by the Department, the internship must be completed within one year. Otherwise, you will be required to submit a new application for approval before starting/completing a new internship.  I/C internships completed more than one-year from internship approval are not valid.
• BLS Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) instructor credential: You must submit a copy of either the PDF version or both sides of the wallet version of your current Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor CPR credentials provided by a nationally recognized organization. BLS credentials must reflect current CPR and emergency cardiac care resuscitation science and treatment recommendations issued by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR)’s and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science with treatment Recommendations (CoSTR), or successor body.
• I/C course completion certificate
• Resume: A copy of your current resume which identifies at a minimum:
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Educator/instructor experience/background
  • The dates of employment must match the dates associated with the licensed ambulance service(s).
• Letters of Recommendation (3 required):
  • One must be from either a medical director, training officer, clinical coordinator or CQI reviewer.
  • One must be from a supervisor at an ambulance service familiar with your EMT practice, attesting to your decision making, leadership, and communication skills.
  • One must be from a personal or peer reference, attesting to your affective domain, integrity and collaborative efforts.
  • Personal statements are no longer required.