The terms ‘renewal’ and ‘recertification’ may sound synonymous, but they’re not when it comes to being an emergency medical technician (EMT) in Arizona. In the Grand Canyon State, EMTs must complete a certain amount of continuing education every two years to comply with the ongoing requirements of their profession.
As part of the recertification process, a renewal application must be submitted to the Arizona Department of Health Services within ninety days of the certification expiration date.
Why Recertification Is Necessary
Being an EMT requires commitment. After completing a rigorous Arizona online EMT certification course, hands-on training, and passing a thorough exam, EMTs work in high-stress, sometimes life-and-death situations that require skill and quick thinking.
It’s an EMT’s responsibility to assess a person who is seriously ill or hurt and stabilize them so they can be quickly transported to a medical facility. At the same time, new technologies are constantly being introduced in the medical field, and it is essential that EMTs stay up-to-date with medical innovations so they can deliver the highest level of care possible.
Recertification every two years is one way to ensure that EMTs have the knowledge and skills needed to provide quality care to patients in need. Recertification by a recognized agency also helps build confidence among the public about the standard of emergency medical services in their area. The quality of care may also impact how much EMTs get paid in Arizona.
How to Recertify
The Arizona Department of Health Services requires EMTs to complete twenty-four hours of approved continuing education every two years. It’s essential to verify with the state agency about what continuing education is required for Arizona EMTs before enrolling in any program. There are different requirements based on the number of hours an EMT has worked in the profession.
While EMTs in Arizona don’t always have to be nationally certified, many of them pursue a National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) certification to improve their career opportunities. The NREMT allows EMTs to recertify in two ways:
- They can complete forty credits of continuing education that contain national, local/state, and individual components.
- They can pass a recertification examination. EMTs only have one chance to pass the examination between April 1st (a year before the expiration date) and March 31st (the expiration date).
Renewing the Arizona Certification
An EMT can renew their status with the state by creating and submitting an EMCT recertification application on the Arizona Department of Health Services portal and attesting that they meet all the requirements outlined by the agency. Applicants must hold onto the supporting documentation for three years.
The renewal application can be submitted no sooner than ninety days prior to the expiration date and no later than the day before the expiration date. The system will send reminders ninety, sixty, and thirty days before the expiration deadline. Even if you don’t receive a reminder, it’s your responsibility to recertify before your certification expires.
An EMT who misses the renewal deadline to submit their application will be given an automatic thirty-day extension after paying a non-refundable $150 fee. Just remember, the CE hours need to be completed before the renewal deadline. If the application is not completed within the thirty-day extension period, the certification becomes inactive, the certification record is archived, and the EMT needs to reapply as a new EMT.
A 180-day extension may be granted if there is a personal or family medical emergency or if the EMT is deployed by the military. It’s against the law to work as an EMT without a valid certification.
When in Doubt, Turn to The Paramedic Coach
Staying certified requires EMTs to be at the top of their game. If you ever feel unsure about a topic or process, turn to The Paramedic Coach. For a reasonable one-time fee, you gain lifetime access to a goldmine of information presented in easy-to-understand terminology. Check out our resources today!
