Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) must renew their license every two years as part of EMT certification requirements in Georgia. To do so, you must prove that your emergency medical services (EMS) skills are still updated and that you are on top of the latest trends and developments in the field.
As such, you need to take continuing education (CE) or take another NREMT exam if you’re recertifying at the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) level. As per EMT recertification in Georgia requirements, you don’t need to maintain your NREMT certification, but you must complete forty hours of CE to continue practicing as a licensed EMT.
Recertifying with the NREMT
There are two ways to renew your EMT license with the NREMT: either by examination or by continuing education.
By Examination
Recertification by examination lets you demonstrate continued competency without clocking in education hours. You only have one attempt to pass the exam, and the test can be challenging, which is why many EMTs prefer to go the CE route.
If you’re confident of your skills and you’ve done an adequate review for the exam with the help of resources like The Paramedic Coach’s Video Vault, the test should be a piece of cake!
By Continuing Education
The EMT National Continued Competency Program (NCCP) requires a total of forty credits of CE to recertify, divided into the national (twenty credits), local/state (ten credits), and individual components (ten credits). Many EMS agencies and groups provide these courses. You can take them either in person or online, just make sure that the program is state- or CAPCE-accredited for it to be valid for the purpose of license renewal.
Recertifying EMT in Georgia
It’s important to note that Georgia doesn’t require you to maintain your NREMT certification. Instead, the state mandates all EMS providers to complete continuing education approved by the Georgia Office of EMS and Trauma (and those hours approved by CAPCE) to keep their licenses active.
How many CEUs are needed for EMT recertification in Georgia? You’re required to finish a total of forty hours, which includes:
- Eight hours of pediatric topics
- Four hours of cardiovascular topics (STEMI and stroke)
- Four hours of trauma topics
- Twenty-four hours of general medical topics (except CPR and ACLS topics)
It is now required for all licensed personnel (medics and instructors) to input your continuing education for each renewal cycle into the EMS License Management System (LMS). Besides the required hours, it’s a good idea to supplement your learning with materials like videos, audio files, drug cards, practice tests, and knowledge check quizzes–all of which you can find in our Video Vault.
How to Recertify as an EMT in Georgia
You can recertify your EMT license in Georgia online. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do so:
- Log in to the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Public Portal EMS LMS.
- Click on ‘Applications.’ Under ‘Personal Applications,’ click on ‘View All Personal Applications,’ then click ‘Apply Now.’
- Complete the required forms:
- Form 1: Training Hours Verification
- Form 2: Compliance Check
- Form 3: Workforce Study Survey
- Form 4: Renewal Information
- Upload a copy of your CPR card (front and back).
- Pay for the application, either by credit or debit card.
- Submit your application.
If your application looks good and the payment goes through, then your transaction will have a ‘Completed’ status. You should then receive an email confirming your license renewal. You can also check on your LMS account to see your new expiration date and to access your license card.
Recertifying Your License as a Georgia EMT
The Paramedic Coach offers a CAPCE-accredited recertification program to fulfill your CE requirements to renew your EMT license. It is a comprehensive resource of everything you need to better understand all aspects of EMS and stay updated on the latest in the EMS field!
