Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
All licensed New Mexico EMS providers are required to renew
their license every two years. Current renewal documents and information may be
obtained from the bureau, website, or by requesting them from the bureau.
Individuals renewing their New Mexico EMS provider's license shall submit
verification of the required number of continuing education (CE) hours, as
described for each licensure level. Required certification or education, such
as advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) or cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR), may each be used once to fulfill a portion of the CE hour
requirement during each two year renewal period. Additional cards may not be
used for additional CEs. New Mexico license renewal requirements may not match
those of national registry or other states; it is the individual's
responsibility to assure their completed CE meets the requirements of other
states or the national registry if they want to renew those certifications and
licensures. A maximum of one-half of the required number of CEs necessary for
renewal for each level may come from asynchronous distance/distributive
learning programs as defined later in this rule. This may differ from the
requirement for maintaining national registry certification.
A.
Receipt of licensure renewal from
the EMS bureau: Licensing renewal is the responsibility of each
individual licensee. A renewal applicant shall provide a valid personal (i.e.,
non-service or business) address in the application materials. If an individual
licensee fails to notify the bureau of a change of address within one-year from
the date of relocation, as determined by the bureau, a bad address fee may be
assessed by the bureau. For individuals who have submitted their complete
licensure renewal packet to the bureau in a timely manner, the bureau will
review the renewal requests in the order they are received.
(1) If there is a delay in notification from
the bureau about the status of the licensure renewal beyond the expiration of
the license, the individual shall remain licensed until:
(a) notified by the bureau that the license
application has been denied or the license expired without renewal;
or
(b) they receive their license
from the bureau or the bureau website lists the individual as
licensed.
(2) If an
individual's renewal packet is incomplete, the individual shall be notified by
the bureau by U.S. postal mail or by electronic mail.
(3) If an individual licensee is notified
that a renewal problem exists with their license, and the license has expired,
the individual shall not remain licensed, and their name will be removed from
the list of those licensed on the bureau website.
B.
Renewal deadlines: Specific
renewal requirements must be completed no later than the December 31st that
occurs prior to licensure expiration. Required CPR and ACLS certifications and
education are exempt from the December 31st deadline and must be current at the
time of renewal, unless the renewal applicant is also using the ACLS or CPR
certification(s) for CE, at which time the course(s) must have been completed
prior to December 31. In order to pay the standard renewal fees, renewal
applications must be postmarked or received by the bureau by the last day of
February prior to expiration of licensure. Renewal applications postmarked or
received after the last day of February, but before March 31, will be accepted
but require a higher fee as described later in this rule.
(1) The applicant may submit the complete
renewal application to the bureau as soon as requirements are complete; the
complete renewal application shall be postmarked no later than the final month
of licensure. A normal renewal fee is assessed for renewal applications
postmarked prior to the final month of licensure.
(2) Renewal applications received during the
final month of licensure will be accepted, but will be assessed a higher
renewal fee due to the requirement for speedier processing.
(3) Applications for renewal of licensure
shall be postmarked or received no later than the last day of licensure (March
31st).
C.
Mandatory
updates: The bureau may require mandatory updates to education in any
given year of licensure. Mandatory updates may include required content hours
during specific continuing education courses or other mandatory
classes.
D.
Audits:
The bureau may require full documentation of continuing education, including
copies of certification cards, course completion certificates, and any other
relevant documents from any individual applying for renewal of their
license.
E.
Waivers:
The licensing commission may, for good cause shown, waive portions of these
rules pertaining to licensure renewal pursuant to
7.27.2.14 NMAC of
these rules. Persons requesting waivers for licensure renewal shall submit
requests in writing to the EMS licensing commission, in care of the
bureau.
F.
Licensed emergency
medical dispatcher (EMD): Renewal for a licensed EMD is required within
each licensure period. Documentation must show that all renewal requirements
have been completed before the December 31st that occurs prior to expiration of
licensure. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education/certification is
exempt from the December 31st deadline and must be current at the time of
renewal, unless the renewal applicant is also using the CPR certification for
CE, at which time the course must have been completed prior to December 31. If
the EMD is concurrently licensed as an EMT-B, EMT-I, or EMT-P, the renewal
dates for EMD licensure may be adjusted by the bureau to match the renewal
dates for the EMT-B, EMT-I, or EMT-P license. The following requirements are
necessary for a person to renew their EMD license:
(1) submit copies of course completion
certificates or verification showing a minimum of 20 contact hours of CE
activity; of which at least 10 hours shall be medical subjects/skills of bureau
approved CE activity and 10 hours of dispatch related subjects/skills, unless
the EMD is also licensed at the EMT-B, EMT-I, or EMT-P level; the EMD may then
use those contact hours of CE activity obtained during the renewal period for
the EMT-B, EMT-I, or EMT-P licensure toward the medical renewal
requirements;
(2) provide evidence
of current bureau approved CPR certification and education; or, if physically
unable to be certified for CPR, provide written documentation of current
knowledge and practical applications of CPR; and
(3) submit required application and payment
of all license renewal fees as required by these rules.
G.
Licensed emergency medical
dispatcher-instructor: Renewal of a licensed EMD-instructor is required
within each licensure period. Documentation must show that all renewal
requirements have been completed before the December 31st that occurs prior to
expiration of licensure. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
education/certification is exempt from the December 31st deadline and must be
current at the time of renewal, unless the renewal applicant is also using the
CPR certification for CE, at which time the course must have been completed
prior to December 31. The following requirements are necessary for a person to
renew their EMD-I license:
(1) submit
verification from a bureau approved EMD education program showing that the EMD-
instructor is current and in good standing with the approved EMD education
program;
(2) submit verification of
completion of all EMD CE renewal requirements;
(3) submit a copy of current licensure at the
EMT-B or higher level;
(4) provide
evidence of current bureau approved cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
education or certification; or, if physically unable to be certified for CPR,
provide written documentation of current knowledge and practical applications
of CPR; and
(5) submit the required
application and payment of all licensure renewal fees as required by these
rules.
H.
Emergency
medical services first responder: Renewal of the EMSFR license is
required within each licensure period. Documentation must show that all renewal
requirements have been completed on or before the December 31st that occurs
prior to expiration of licensure. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
education/certification is exempt from the December 31st deadline and shall be
current at the time of renewal, unless the renewal applicant is also using the
CPR certification for CE, at which time the course must have been completed
prior to December 31. The following requirements are necessary for a person to
renew their license:
(1) submit a completed
renewal application;
(2) submit
verification of a minimum of twenty contact hours of bureau approved CE
activity consisting of the following subjects and minimum hours per subject:
(a) preparatory/operations, two
hours;
(b) airway and ventilation,
three hours;
(c) cardiovascular
emergencies, two hours;
(d) medical
emergencies, four hours;
(e) trauma
emergencies, four hours;
(f)
special considerations, five hours, two of which must consist of pediatric
content.
(3) provide
evidence of current bureau approved cardiopulmonary resuscitation education or
certification;
(4) provide a
statement of verification, signed by the service medical director, that the
applicant is competent in all EMSFR skills listed in the current scopes of
practice that require medical direction; and
(5) submit payment of all licensure renewal
fees as required by these rules.
I.
Emergency medical technician basic
(EMT-B): Renewal of the EMT-B license is required within each licensure
period. Documentation must show that all renewal requirements have been
completed on or before the December 31st that occurs prior to expiration of
licensure. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education/certification is
exempt from the December 31st deadline and shall be current at the time of
renewal, unless the renewal applicant is also using the CPR certification for
CE, at which time the course must have been completed prior to December 31. The
following requirements are necessary for an EMT-B to renew their license:
(1) submit a completed renewal
application;
(2) submit
verification of a minimum of 40 contact hours of bureau approved CE activity,
consisting of the following subjects and minimum hours per subject:
(a) preparatory/operations, four
hours;
(b) airway and ventilation,
six hours;
(c) cardiovascular
emergencies, six hours;
(d) medical
emergencies, eight hours;
(e)
trauma emergencies, eight hours;
(f) special considerations, eight hours, four
of which must consist of pediatric content.
(3) provide evidence of current bureau
approved cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education or
certification;
(4) provide a
statement of verification, signed by the service medical director, that the
applicant is competent in all EMT-basic skills listed in the current scopes of
practice that require medical direction;
(5) submit payment of all licensure renewal
fees as required by these rules; and
(6) applicants who have completed a bureau
approved EMT-I or EMT-P course or completed appropriate sections of the EMT-I
or EMT-P course, as determined by the bureau, may fulfill the CE
requirement.
J.
Emergency medical technician intermediate (EMT-I): Renewal of the
EMT-I license is required within each licensure period. Documentation must show
that all renewal requirements have been met on or before the December 31st that
occurs prior to expiration of licensure. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
education/certification is exempt from the December 31st deadline and shall be
current at the time of renewal, unless the renewal applicant is also using the
CPR certification for CE, at which time the course must have been completed
prior to December 31. The following requirements are necessary for an EMT-I to
renew their license:
(1) submit a completed
renewal application;
(2) submit
verification of a minimum of 50 contact hours of bureau approved CE activity,
consisting of the following subjects and minimum hours per subject:
(a) preparatory/operations, four
hours;
(b) airway and ventilation,
eight hours;
(c) cardiovascular
emergencies, six hours;
(d) medical
emergencies, 12 hours;
(e) trauma
emergencies, 10 hours;
(f) special
considerations, 10 hours, five of which must consist of pediatric
content.
(3) provide
evidence of current bureau approved cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
education or certification;
(4)
provide a statement of verification, signed by the service medical director,
that the applicant is competent in all EMT-intermediate skills listed in the
current scopes of practice that require medical direction. Persons who are not
currently providing care through an EMS provider service and do not have a
service medical director may for good cause petition the bureau for designation
of inactive status, which will remain in effect until the bureau is notified of
the applicant obtaining medical direction. No patient care should be performed
until the inactive status is removed;
(5) submit payment of all licensure renewal
fees as required by
7.27.2.13 NMAC of these
rules; and
(6) applicants who have
completed a bureau approved EMT-P course or completed appropriate sections of
the EMT-P course, as determined by the bureau, may fulfill the continuing
education requirement.
K.
Emergency medical technician paramedic (EMT-P): Renewal of the
EMT-P license is required within each licensure period. Documentation must show
that all renewal requirements have been completed on or before the December
31st that occurs prior to the expiration of licensure. Cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) education/certification and advanced emergency cardiac care
education/advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certifications are exempt from
the December 31st deadline and shall be current at the time of renewal, unless
the renewal applicant is also using the ACLS or CPR certification(s) for CE, at
which time the course(s) must have been completed prior to December 31. The
following requirements are necessary for an EMT-P to renew their license:
(1) submit a completed renewal
application;
(2) submit
verification of a minimum of 60 contact hours of bureau approved CE activity at
any level, consisting of the following subjects and minimum hours per subject:
(a) preparatory/operations, six
hours;
(b) airway and ventilation,
eight hours;
(c) cardiovascular
emergencies, 10 hours;
(d) medical
emergencies, 14 hours;
(e) trauma
emergencies, 10 hours;
(f) special
considerations, 12 hours, six of which must consist of pediatric
content.
(3) provide a
statement of verification, signed by the service medical director, that the
applicant is competent in all EMT-paramedic skills listed in the current scopes
of practice that require medical direction. Persons who are not currently
providing care through an EMS provider service and do not have a service
medical director may for good cause petition the bureau for designation of
inactive status, which will remain in effect until the bureau is notified of
the applicant obtaining medical direction. No patient care should be performed
until the inactive status is removed;
(4) submit proof of current bureau approved
education which meets or exceeds the current national standards for advanced
emergency cardiac care education, or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)
certification;
(5) provide evidence
of current bureau approved cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education or
certification; and
(6) submit
payment of all licensure renewal fees as required by
7.27.2.13 NMAC of these
rules.
L.
Re-attaining a license after expiration for all categories: The
bureau provides three methods for expired licensees to regain their licensure;
reinstatement, re-entry, and re-licensure.
(1)
Reinstatement: Those persons who have completed the renewal
requirements on or before the December 31st cutoff, but failed to renew
licensure by March 31st, may renew between April 1st and May 31st of the
expiration year. A complete renewal application for reinstatement must be
received at the bureau by May 31st. Paperwork postmarked after March 31st will
be assessed with an additional late fee (see fees,
7.27.2.13 NMAC).
(2)
Re-entry: A person whose
license is expired, who does not meet the circumstances of Paragraph (1) of
Subsection L of 7.27.2.11 NMAC above, but whose date of expiration of the
previously held license is less than two years, may re-enter EMS at the
previously held or lower level if the person left EMS in good standing and
successfully completes the following:
(a) for
basic, intermediate and paramedic, complete a minimum of half of the number of
hours of bureau approved continuing education at the appropriate level within
the twelve months preceding the date of application for re-entry; the number
and subjects of CEs must equal a minimum of half of the requirements for
renewal of the level for which the individual is applying for, as described
herein;
(b) for first responder,
complete a minimum of 10 hours of bureau approved continuing education within
the twelve months preceding the request for re-entry; the number and subjects
of CEs must equal a minimum of half of the requirements for renewal of the
first responder level as described herein;
(c) provide evidence of current bureau
approved cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education or education, which may
not be used as part of the CE hour requirement;
(d) successfully complete an approved New
Mexico licensing examination and other practical examinations, as determined by
the bureau, at the appropriate provider licensure level (maximum of two
examination attempts allowed), if applicable;
(e) if EMD or EMD-I applicant, provide
verification of a minimum of 10 contact hours of bureau approved CE activity,
of which 5 hours shall be medical subjects/skills and 5 hours shall be dispatch
related subjects/skills of bureau approved CE activity;
(f) if an EMT-P applicant, provide evidence
of bureau approved advanced emergency cardiac care education/advanced cardiac
life support (ACLS) certification education which may not be used as part of
the CE hour requirement; and
(g)
submit required application and payment of licensure fees as identified for the
appropriate level in 7.2.27.13 NMAC of these rules;
(h) the re-entry process may only be
attempted once; if a candidate for re-entry does not successfully complete the
exam within two testing attempts, the re-entry candidate must complete a full
licensure course at the appropriate licensure level to be eligible for NM EMS
licensure.
(3)
Re-licensure: A person whose license has been expired for more
than two years from the date of expiration shall be considered an initial
licensure applicant. To become licensed, a person must complete the
requirements of
7.27.2.9 NMAC
of these rules.
M.
Expiration of licensure: All New Mexico EMS personnel, whose
licensure expires on March 31st of any given year, will receive notification of
EMS license expiration, and that they are no longer authorized to perform
patient care. The bureau will send this notice to the address of record
notifying the former licensee of expiration during the first week of April,
will remove the former licensee from the bureau website list of licensed
personnel, and will notify the national registry of EMTs if
applicable.
N.
Bureau
approved continuing education: Continuing education (CE) credit may be
granted for any education that has been approved in advance by the bureau. All
individuals or EMS services wishing to grant CE credit to licensed EMDs,
EMD-Is, EMSFRs, EMTs, and paramedics in New Mexico shall submit the appropriate
documentation to the bureau at least 30 days in advance. Bureau approved CEs
must include information that addresses the New Mexico scope of practice. CEs
submitted to the bureau for approval after education has been completed may be
denied, and will be reviewed for approval or disapproval on a case-by-case
basis. Application for CE approval shall be made utilizing the bureau's
"notification of intent to conduct a CE program" application form available
from the bureau. Information regarding CEs may be found on the bureau website.
(1)
Purpose: Continuing
education is designed to meet three main objectives:
(a) to provide exposure to new and current
trends in the area of patient care;
(b) to review areas of patient assessment and
management that are not used on a frequent basis;
(c) to meet licensure renewal
requirements.
(2)
Continuing education categories: The EMS bureau has adopted the CE
category designations similar to those published by many states and national
EMS organizations. A more detailed explanation of these categories can be found
in the "EMS CE user's guide" available from the bureau. The CE categories are:
(a) preparatory and operations topics:
preparatory topics include roles and responsibilities, well-being of the EMT,
injury prevention, medical/legal issues, ethics, anatomy/physiology, principles
of pathophysiology, principles of pharmacology, IV therapy and medication
administration, therapeutic communications; operations topics include ambulance
operations, medical incident command, rescue awareness and operations,
hazardous materials incidents, crime scene awareness;
(b) airway and ventilation;
(c) cardiovascular emergencies: general
topics include treatment of cardiac arrest, post resuscitation care, congestive
heart failure, ventricle assist devices, acute coronary syndrome, multi-lead
ECG, myocardial infarction, general cardiology, stroke (stroke may also be
considered neurology/medical emergency);
(d) medical emergencies: general topics
include pulmonary, neurology, endocrinology, allergies and anaphylaxis,
gastroenterology, urology/renal, toxicology, hematology, environmental
conditions, infectious and communicable diseases, behavioral and psychiatric
disorders, gynecology, obstetrics;
(e) trauma emergencies: general topics
include kinematics, blunt trauma, penetrating trauma, hemorrhage and shock,
soft tissue trauma, burns, head and facial trauma, spinal trauma, thoracic
trauma, abdominal trauma, musculoskeletal trauma; and
(f) special considerations: general topics
include neonatology, pediatrics, geriatrics, abuse and neglect, patients with
special challenges, acute interventions for the home health care
patient.
(3)
Forms
of CE: The following forms of CE are currently recognized by the bureau.
The bureau reserves the right to approve additional forms of CE as necessary.
More detailed information may be found in the "EMS CE user's guide" available
from the bureau.
(a) Classroom instruction:
Standard instructor-student relationship in the classroom or field
setting.
(b) Pre-approved courses:
A list of national and statewide recognized certification courses that are
pre-approved for CE credit is found in the CE guide available online and from
the bureau. Individuals completing any of these courses need only to submit
their course completion certificate or card when renewing their licenses.
Courses that are approved by a bureau approved nationally recognized CE course
approval entity are, at the discretion of the bureau, pre-approved for credit
in New Mexico.
(c) EMS related
college courses: Credit may be awarded to individuals who are attending college
courses relevant to EMS. Individuals who are interested in receiving credit
should submit a copy of their unofficial student transcript and course
syllabus. The EMS bureau will determine relevance and the number of CE hours
allowed.
(d) Teaching bureau
approved courses: Licensed individuals who teach bureau approved courses may
receive the same number of CE hours as students who are taking the program;
refer to the "EMS CE user's guide" for a more complete description.
(e) Field or clinical preceptorship: A
maximum of 20 hours of CE may be allowed for EMS preceptor activities;
documentation of preceptor activities must be on letterhead from an approved
New Mexico EMS education institution or EMS service director.
(f) Asynchronous distance/distributive
education learning programs: This is a method of delivering training and
education that does not require an educator and student to interact in real
time. This may include EMS videos, computer-based-education, self-study
modules, recorded broadcasts via satellite, internet, or other media, and other
methods of out-of-classroom didactic education that includes a student
evaluation component (i.e.: post course test/quiz). A maximum of one-half of
the required number of CEs necessary for renewal for each level may come from
asynchronous distance/distributive learning programs. Please note, this may
differ from the requirement for maintaining national registry
certification.
(g) Synchronous
distance education learning programs: This is a method of delivering training
and education via electronic media that links an educator and students,
allowing them to interact in real time despite being in different places. This
includes live, instructor interactive satellite broadcasts or webcasts that
allow for live video, audio, or other immediate feedback and communication
between the instructor and the students. There is no limit to the number of CE
hours a licensed individual may obtain through this method. The CE
certification must document that the offering was provided and completed via a
live broadcast. The decision regarding a CE being accepted as synchronous
distance learning is discretionary and rests with the EMS bureau
alone.
(h) EMS agency/fire
department medical director courses: The medical director may conduct CE
courses without a bureau approved CE number. All other requirements for
conducting an EMS CE course must be followed, and records must be maintained by
the agency/department CE coordinator, including class roster and teaching
outlines. CEs submitted as medical director courses must include the
physician's signature.
(i)
On-the-job education/staff meetings: A maximum of eight hours of CE will be
accepted for agency/department staff meetings, job orientation classes, take
home work sheets, etc., for each renewal period
(j) Meetings/Committees: A maximum of eight
hours of CE will be accepted for attending EMS related committees/meetings for
each renewal period.
(k)
Unacceptable CE: CEs obtained for completing evaluations for any EMS classes or
conferences, participating in EMS related surveys, etc., will not be
accepted.
(4)
Record keeping: Once approval of a CE program is obtained and the
course is presented, records of attendance must be maintained. The bureau may
audit the CE records of an approved CE program. Attendance records with
original signatures of course participants and a copy of any course
presentation material must be kept for a minimum of 36 months by the service,
for bureau audit purposes.
(a) In order for
participating EMS personnel to receive credit, each individual shall be given a
certificate, letter of attendance/completion, or copy of course attendance
roster and advised to retain it until their licensure renewal. Many EMD
Agencies (EMDA) and EMS services have computerized records of their personnel
concerning CE. The EMS bureau will recognize CE summary documentation, on
letterhead, from EMDA or EMS service directors, education coordinators, medical
directors, or CE coordinators with appropriate original signatures.
(b) Course completion letters, certificates,
and course rosters shall contain the following information:
(i) location and date of the CE
program;
(ii) title and short
description of the class or course;
(iii) number of actual contact hours (half
hour increments are acceptable);
(iv) CE category;
(v) name of participant;
(vi) CE coordinator's name with designation
"CE coordinator" placed after the name;
(vii) signature of CE coordinator;
(viii) the statement: "reviewed and approved
by the New Mexico EMS bureau for CE"; and
(ix) method of delivery (classroom,
asynchronous, or synchronous distance program); and
(x) EMS bureau approval number.
(5)
CE audits for
EMS services and personnel: The bureau may periodically perform audits
of CE programs. These audits are usually provided as a way for services to
evaluate their current program, identify areas in which the program excels, as
well as areas that may be problematic. The following types of CE audits may be
conducted by the bureau:
(a)
CE course
audit: this audit evaluates the actual class or course being conducted;
the purpose of this audit is to provide written feedback to the instructor on
presentation, content, and participant evaluations conducted at the end of the
class; this audit is usually unannounced;
(b)
CE recordkeeping audit: this
audit evaluates the CE program sponsor recordkeeping process; records of prior
classes or courses conducted are inspected for completeness and feedback is
provided to the CE program sponsor that identify areas for improvement; CE
program sponsors will be given at least five days advance notification of these
audits; records that will be inspected include:
(i) original copies of attendance rosters
with the signatures of course participants;
(ii) course presentation materials/outlines
or learning objectives;
(iii)
handouts that were given to participants;
(iv) any evaluation tools, including written
exams or practical skill forms; and
(v) CE approval letter or approval
numbers;
(c) CE complaint
audit: this audit is a preliminary investigation conducted by the EMS bureau
based on a complaint concerning falsification of the CE
process.
(6)
Refreshers: The EMS bureau does not require a refresher
certificate for renewal, but refresher certificates from approved New Mexico
EMS education institutions may be used to satisfy an equivalent number of hours
for the CE requirement. The refresher documentation submitted must describe the
number of CE hours for each CE category, and the number of synchronous and
asynchronous hours that were delivered in the class. If a portion of the
refresher was completed in an online or other asynchronous
distance/distributive education format, the CE hours will be categorized as
asynchronous CE by the bureau, and will count towards the maximum number of
asynchronous education. For a formal refresher certificate from entities other
than New Mexico approved institutions to be accepted for CEs, the course
curriculum must be approved prior to an applicant completing the
refresher.
