Code of Maryland Regulations
Title 13B - MARYLAND HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION
Subtitle 03 - FIRE-RESCUE EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMISSION
Chapter 13B.03.01 - Certification Standards and Procedures for Emergency Services Instructors
Section 13B.03.01.03 - State Emergency Services Instructor Certification Standard

Universal Citation: MD Code Reg 13B.03.01.03

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 6, March 22, 2024

A. The objective of this certification system is to provide the emergency services of the State with a competent instructor. When certified, the instructor shall provide instruction and training in one or more of the emergency services disciplines.

B. Advanced life support program coordinators and medical directors functioning under COMAR 30.04 shall ensure that individuals providing instruction as faculty have appropriate educational credentials in addition to subject matter expertise. In addition, the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) shall ensure that educational program faculty qualifications are consistently applied Statewide via the Advanced Life Support Educational Program approval process.

C. Instructor certification is granted by the Maryland Instructor Certification Review Board.

D. The State emergency services instructor standards apply to faculty employed by a public or private postsecondary institution, including degree-granting institutions teaching credit courses in emergency services programs whose students are to be qualified as emergency services personnel serving the public.

E. Six Sequential Stages of Instructor Candidate System.

(1) Expression of Interest.

(a) This first stage identifies emergency service personnel who meet specific entry level criteria and indicate their interest in the program to a sponsoring agency as defined in Regulation .02B of this chapter.

(b) The candidate shall:

(i) Be 21 years old or older;

(ii) Have a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED) verified by the sponsoring agency;

(iii) Have 3 years of experience in the emergency services;

(iv) Possess the ability to perform all tasks required for the teaching; and

(v) Complete an approved training program in the area of instruction.

(2) Selection Process. The MICRB recognizes the need for a candidate selection process. The sponsoring agency is encouraged to use the means it considers appropriate in assessing candidate eligibility. While the development and use of a screening mechanism is the responsibility of the sponsoring agency, it is suggested that the process provide a means of assessing the candidate's field knowledge, reading comprehension, verbal ability, mathematical ability, and mechanical aptitude.

(3) Instructor Training.

(a) The approved instructor training program consists of sequential instruction and is designed to impart knowledge and skills necessary for the candidate to perform duties as an instructor. The scope of the training shall include instructor roles and responsibilities, lesson planning, domains of learning, learning styles, goals and objectives, communication skills, diversity, legal issues, student evaluation, and basic course designs. Evaluation shall be accomplished by written examinations and instructor performance evaluations.

(b) The instructor training program shall fulfill the professional requirements and qualifications in Regulation .13 of this chapter, as taught by an instructor trainer approved by the MICRB. The course shall also include an examination at the end of each course, performance evaluations, and performance testing items to be completed before the end of the course. The MICRB may consider credentials of a degreed applicant verified by a sponsoring agency as having completed this requirement. Evidence of academic achievement in the field of education (adult education preferred) shall be submitted to the MICRB.

(c) The instructor candidate may fulfill the instructor training requirement by completing a nationally recognized instructor training course approved by the MICRB.

(d) An Instructor I training program shall be taught by an MICRB-approved State emergency services instructor approved as an instructor evaluator or instructor trainer. An Instructor II training program shall be taught by an MICRB-approved State emergency services instructor trainer.

(4) Skills Development.

(a) When a candidate successfully completes instructor training, the sponsoring agency shall conduct a skills development program. A date, place, and time shall be planned and a program shall be coordinated.

(b) This program shall:

(i) Be at least 12 hours;

(ii) Be designed to unite practical instruction to specific field evolutions; and

(iii) Afford an opportunity to demonstrate performance instruction techniques.

(c) The instructional period shall be planned and supervised by certified instructors who may be primarily responsible for the particular discipline or specialty.

(d) The training is to be specialized.

(e) Performance evaluations are to be conducted and provided to the instructor candidate.

(f) In lieu of the prescribed skills development program, the MICRB may consider credentials, experience, or another such program.

(5) Practice Teaching.

(a) The candidate, after successful completion of skills development, is required to practice teach a minimum of two 3-hour sessions or classes which include one cognitive information session and one practical skill session, and shall receive a satisfactory evaluation for each class. The teaching shall be performed under the continuous direct supervision of a certified State emergency services instructor. A certified State emergency services instructor approved as an evaluator shall perform the evaluation of this training.

(b) Practice teaching provides the instructor candidate with an opportunity to teach, following instructor training, under actual conditions. This on-the-job instruction consists of two 3-hour segments as described in §E(5)(a) of this regulation and shall be evaluated by an approved MICRB evaluator pursuant to Regulation .09B of this chapter. To ensure that the practice instruction is of the highest possible quality and is meeting the lesson objectives, a three-step process shall be used for evaluation purposes, which consists of observation, written evaluation, and a supervisory conference.

(6) Interim Student Teaching.

(a) Interim student teaching provides the instructor candidate an opportunity to teach a complete course of instruction with some supervision. During this stage, two evaluations shall be made by MICRB-approved evaluators or instructor trainers approved by the MICRB. The completed evaluations shall become part of the total certification requirements.

(b) The candidate shall teach a minimum of 60 clock hours and receive two consecutive satisfactory evaluations from two different MICRB-approved evaluators or instructor trainers approved by the MICRB. Each evaluator shall be from a local jurisdiction or sponsoring agency different from the other.

F. Application for Certification.

(1) After the teaching assignment is completed, each candidate's file shall be reviewed by the sponsoring agency representative, who shall make appropriate recommendations based upon the evaluation of the completion of the six stages.

(2) Application Process.

(a) To be considered for certification, the candidate shall submit an application for certification through the sponsoring agency to the MICRB on the form prescribed by the MICRB.

(b) A candidate shall complete the application process within 5 years of completion of an MICRB-approved instructor training course.

(c) If a candidate has completed the instructor training course between 5 and 10 years before beginning the application process, the candidate shall, in addition to the prescribed initial certification requirements, complete -within 3 years of submitting their application 12 hours of approved instructor methodology as a corequisite to the initial completion process.

(d) If a candidate has completed the instructor training course more than 10 years before beginning the application process, the candidate shall be required to successfully complete:

(i) A current, MICRB-approved instructor training program; or

(ii) The Instructor Training Course Challenge process, as outlined in MICRB's policy on Instructor Training Course Challenge Criteria.

G. Term of Certification.

(1) State emergency services instructor certificates are valid for a period of 3 years from the date of approval by the MICRB.

(2) The sponsoring agency or employer, or both, shall determine what subject matter the State emergency services instructor is qualified to teach.

H. Recertification Process. The following process is to ensure that instructors continue to use up-to-date methods and information:

(1) Recertification shall be based on a 3-year cycle;

(2) The instructor shall teach a minimum of 60 hours during the 3-year period, or if a training supervisor, teach a minimum of 3 hours;

(3) The instructor or training supervisor shall receive a satisfactory teaching evaluation and no subsequent unsatisfactory evaluation from an approved MICRB evaluator during the 3-year period; and

(4) The instructor or training supervisor shall successfully complete 12 hours of professional development or continuing education in instructional methodology or training safety. A maximum of 6 hours of approved professional development can be in the area of training safety within the 3-year period.

I. Procedure for Reentering after Failing to Recertify.

(1) The following procedures are required for an individual who fails to recertify and wishes to reenter the teaching program within 3 years of the expiration of the individual's certification:

(a) The candidate shall submit correspondence to the sponsoring agency asking to reenter;

(b) As a minimum, the candidate shall have successfully completed all the requirements as listed in §H(2)-(4) of this regulation within 3 years before the date of the application for reentry and shall receive a satisfactory teaching evaluation before the application may be submitted to the MICRB; and

(c) The sponsoring agency shall submit a recommendation with the application to reenter, and the MICRB shall review the information submitted by the sponsoring agency and take appropriate action.

(2) An individual who has a certification lapse in excess of 3 years is required to meet initial certification requirements, beginning at the instructor training course.

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