Purpose
Pursuant to 105 CMR 170.931 of the EMS System regulations, to further explain the resources and assistance available to returning veterans and EMTs engaged in or recently discharged from active military service in the United States armed forces as members of the armed forces, including reserve or National Guard, or who accompanied a spouse who is engaged in or recently discharged from such military service, in obtaining and maintaining National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) certification and Massachusetts EMT certification. Both the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) and the NREMT have a long history of assisting veterans and EMTs mobilized for active duty in obtaining certification and adjusting timelines to accommodate their military service and deployment.
Hereinafter, such individuals are termed “veterans” for purposes of this document.
- AR 2-236 defines the process of EMT-Basic Certification based on Out-of-State EMT-Basic and Massachusetts Physician, Physician Assistant, Registered Nurse or Nurse Practitioner licensure
- AR 2-323 defines the process for Paramedic Certification based on Out-of-State Paramedic Certification
Additional Resources
I. Veterans Seeking First-Time Massachusetts Certification
The U.S. Army, Air Force and Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Defense all require their members who serve as “medics” (meaning EMTs at any level) to be NREMT certified, at least at the EMT level. The U.S. Navy does not have this requirement. Veterans of the military returning from active duty, who do not hold Massachusetts EMT certification at any level, may apply for Massachusetts certification as follows:
- A. Veterans who hold current EMT certification or license in another state and hold current NREMT EMT certification: Apply for Massachusetts certification through the procedures set out in AR 2-236.
- B. Veterans who hold current Paramedic certification or license in another state and hold current NREMT Paramedic certification: Apply in accordance with the procedures set out in AR 2-323.
- C. Veterans who hold current NREMT EMT or Paramedic but do not hold certification or license in another state: Apply for Massachusetts certification by completing and submitting an application for initial certification and fee, and attaching a copy of their NREMT certification card.
- D. Veterans who held NREMT certification that has now lapsed and do not hold certification or license in another state: Contact the NREMT by calling (614) 888-4484, and identify yourself as a military veteran. They will work with you on an individualized basis to get your NREMT certification reinstated. Once NREMT certification is renewed, apply for Massachusetts certification in accordance with C., above.
- E. Veterans who were mobilized for active military duty after initiation of process for NREMT certification, but prior to obtaining NREMT certification: Contact the NREMT by calling (614) 888-4484 and identify yourself as a military veteran. If active duty has resulted in the veteran’s missing the two-year deadline for obtaining NREMT certification, NREMT will provide an extension of time to complete the process. NREMT will need a copy of your discharge summary form, DD-214, if you are now discharged, or a copy of your military orders, if you are about to leave for, or currently engaged in, active duty.
Veterans who do not hold current NREMT certification, have not initiated that process OR certification or license in another state and seek EMT certification based on equivalent military training: Contact the NREMT at www.nremt.org or (614) 888-4484. They will work with you on an individualized basis. They will need to ensure you have a course completion certificate. If you do not have one, you need to contact OEMS office, for review of a copy of your training record, certification or diploma and verification of it as meeting EMT training equivalency. NREMT will accept the training based on OEMS verification. The NREMT will also need a copy of your discharge summary form, DD-214, if you were discharged from active duty, or a copy of your military orders, if you are currently engaged in active service or are about to leave for active service. Finally, the NREMT will refer Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard personnel to their “EMS agency,” which is your branch of service, to get your status reinstated. (Since the Navy does not require NREMT certification, there is no point-of-contact EMS agency for Navy veterans to be referred to. Returning Navy veterans with lapsed NREMT certification contact NREMT directly and their situation will be reviewed and addressed on a case-by-case basis.) Contact NREMT for full information. Once NREMT certification is obtained, apply for Massachusetts certification in accordance with C., above.
II. Veterans Seeking Massachusetts EMT Recertification
Under the EMS System regulations, 105 CMR 170.931, Massachusetts certified EMTs whose mobilization for active duty whose ability to meet the recertification deadlines for maintaining their Massachusetts certification has been affected by such mobilization, may apply for extension of their Massachusetts certification. Contact OEMS, which has discretion to adjust certification periods due to active military service. OEMS will need a copy of your DD-214 discharge summary, if discharged from active duty; military orders, if currently engaged in active service or about to leave for active service, or evidence of active drill status, for reserve component recertifying EMTs.
Fee
There is a fee payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for EMT certification or recertification. The fee is $150. The fee of $150 must be submitted at the time of application, in the form of a check made payable to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts."