Definitions, Medical Direction, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, Involuntary Inactive Certification, Training Programs
Division of Emergency Preparedness and Community Support
RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:
64J-1.001Definitions
64J-1.004Medical Direction
64J-1.008Emergency Medical Technician
64J-1.009Paramedic
64J-1.011Involuntary Inactive Certification
64J-1.020Training Programs
NOTICE OF CHANGE
Notice is hereby given that the following changes have been made to the proposed rule in accordance with subparagraph 120.54(3)(d)1., F.S., published in Vol. 43 No. 126, June 29, 2017 issue of the Florida Administrative Register.
These changes are in response to written comments submitted by the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee (“JAPC”) staff in letters dated July 7, 2017, and January 17, 2018. Some of the changes to incorporated forms are based on record discussion of changes that occurred at a May 3, 2018 rule hearing.
64J-1.001 Definitions.
In addition to the definitions provided in sections 395.4001, 401.107, and 401.23, F.S., the following definitions apply to these rules:
(1) through (6) No change.
(7) “Electronic Patient Care Record” means an incident level electronic record in accordance with the format specified in the Emergency Medical Services Tracking and Reporting System (EMSTARS) Data Dictionary Version 1.4.1, or in accordance with EMSTARS Data Standards, Version 3 (see, rule 64J-1.014 F.A.C.).
(8) through (10) No change.
(11) “Neonatal Transport” means critical care interfacility transport of any neonate from a hospital licensed under Chapter 395, F.S., to a hospital licensed under Chapter 395, F.S., to deliver Level II or Level III neonatal intensive care services as defined in Rule 59C-1.042, F.A.C., effective March 15, 2017, which is incorporated by reference.
Rulemaking Authority 395.405, 401.121, 401.35 FS. Law Implemented 381.0011, 395.4001, 395.4015, 395.402, 395.4025, 395.403, 395.404, 395.4045, 401.23, 401.25, 401.35, 401.435 FS. History–New 4-26-84, Amended 3-11-85, Formerly 10D-66.485, Amended 11-2-86, 4-12-88, 8-3-88, 8-7-89, 6-6-90, 12-10-92, 11-30-93, 10-2-94, 1-26-97, Formerly 10D-66.0485, Amended 8-4-98, 7-14-99, 2-20-00, 11-3-02, 6-9-05, 10-24-05, 4-22-07, Formerly 64E-2.001, Amended 1-12-09, 11-5-09, 2-16-10, 5-27-10,______.
64J-1.004 Medical Direction.
DH FORM 1256: This proposed rule section incorporates by reference DH Form 1256, 12/2008, “Certification of Training” – the following changes are made:
1. In response to JAPC’s July 7, 2017, letter directed to the requirements for training of paramedics to provide immunizations in a nonemergent setting pursuant to authority in section 401.272, F.S., and based on discussion at the May 3, 2018 rule hearing, reference to section 401.272(2)(b), F.S., is changed to 401.272(3).
2. Based on discussion at the May 3, 2018 rule hearing, the oath format on the form is changed to the format provided at section 92.525, Florida Statutes.
3. The edition of the form will be changed and updated to 06/17.
4. The rule citation for Rule 64J-1.004, F.A.C., is added to the form.
64J-1.008 Emergency Medical Technician.
(1) Qualifications and Procedures for Certification pursuant to Section 401.27, F.S. To be qualified for EMT certification, an individual must:
(a)1. Successfully complete an initial Florida EMT training program conducted in accordance with the January 2009 U.S. DOT EMT National EMS Education Standards, which are incorporated by reference and available at https://www.ems.gov/education.html www.ems.gov/educationstandards.htm and http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-#####, or
2. If out of state or military trained in accordance with either the 1994 U.S. DOT EMT-Basic National Standard Curriculum or the January 2009 U.S. DOT EMT National EMS Education Standards, currently hold a valid EMT certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). The 1994 U.S. DOT EMT-Basic National Standard Curriculum is incorporated by reference and available at https://www.ems.gov/education.html www.ems.gov/educationstandards.htm and http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-#####.
(b) No change.
(c) Applicants who are subject to subparagraph (1)(a)1. must take the department required EMT Certification examination within 2 two years of completing the initial Florida training program. The department will accept a passing score for this exam if taken within the two-year period, whether the exam is taken before or after the application is filed pass or otherwise have passed the department required EMT Certification Examination within 2 years of completing the initial Florida training program.
(2) Renewal Certification – To maintain an active certificate, the EMT shall pay the recertification fee and affirm continued compliance with all applicable requirements contained in paragraph 64J-1.008(2)(a), (b) or (c), F.A.C.;, complete and submit the applicable certification renewal notice, “Recertification Notice and Application,” Certificate Renewal Notice DH-MQA 1212, 06/17, incorporated by reference and mailed by the department;, or apply for renewal online at www.flhealthsource.gov, where the form may also be obtained as well as at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-#####; and within 2 years prior to the expiration date of his or her EMT certification complete one of the following:
(a) through (d) No change.
(3) No change.
Rulemaking Authority 381.0035, 401.23, 401.27, 401.35, 456.013 FS. Law Implemented 401.23, 401.2715, 401.27, 401.34, 401.35, 456.013(1) FS. History–New 11-29-82, Amended 4-26-84, 3-11-85, Formerly 10D-66.56, Amended 11-2-86, 4-12-88, 8-3-88, 12-10-92, 11-30-93, 12-10-95, 1-26-97, Formerly 10D-66.056, Amended 8-4-98, 1-3-99, 9-3-00, 4-15-01, 6-3-02, 11-3-02, 10-24-05, 1-11-06, 1-23-07, 10-16-07, Formerly 64E-2.008, Amended 11-22-09, 5-27-10,____.
DH FORM 1583: This proposed rule section incorporates by reference Form DH 1583, 04/2017, “Application for EMT/Paramedic Certification” – the following changes are made:
1. A series of questions are being added to elicit information relevant to potential licensure disqualification due to Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes.
2. A clarifying statement is being added to the application to indicate that ethnic information requested on the application is gathered for a purpose other than determining whether an applicant is qualified.
3. A citation to section 401.273, Florida Statutes, is being added as authority for the question asking if the applicant would be available to provide services in the event of an emergency or a disaster and would like to be included in a Registry of EMT’s and paramedics who indicate on the application that they would be available.
4. A clarifying statement regarding the criminal history response at question number 4, indicating the list of documents set forth to be provided by the applicant are only required if the applicant provides a “yes” answer to the question which reads: “Have you ever been convicted in any court in any state or in any federal court of a felony?”
5. All requirements for the applicant to provide a “Statement of Good Standing” are deleted from the form. The change will require the applicants who are applying for licensure based on current registration with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) to provide their current NREMT registration number on the application, for confirmation by the department through on-line research.
6. Application language applicable to Florida trained EMT and paramedic certification applicants who hold NREMT certification, to require obtaining the certification within two years of Florida training school course completion or have passed the NREMT written examination within the two years, and requiring all such applicants to submit their exam date and results to the department. This change is based on record discussion at the May 3, 2018 rule hearing.
7. Application language applicable to Florida trained EMT and paramedic certification applicants who have not already passed the NREMT written examination to register for this exam and provide the applicant’s candidate number if applicable. This change is based on record discussion at the May 3, 2018 rule hearing.
8. Application language applicable to Florida trained EMT and Paramedic certification applicants to identify the name of the training program in the application. This change was discussed on the record in the rule hearing held on May 3, 2018.
9. Deletion of paragraph 7.c., removing the option for taking the Florida paramedic examination. This change is in response to the January 17, 2018 JAPC letter.
10. Under the heading “General Information and Application Instructions:” paragraph 6.; deletion of the reference to “good standing forms.” paragraph 7., deletion of the lines advising exam scores will not be provided to the candidates and advising the scores will no longer be available on- line.
11. On the page titled “Contact Information:” deletion of the exam results column and the web page address for
obtaining them.
12. The oath of the form is changed to the oath format provided in section 92.525, Florida Statutes, which does not require a notarized signature. This change was discussed in the record of the May 3, 2018 rule hearing.
FORM DH 1212:
1. A series of questions are being added to elicit information relevant to potential licensure renewal disqualification due to Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes. Also added are requirements for an explanation and supporting documentation related to disclosed offenses to be provided with the application.
2. Aside from the Section 456.0635 changes, the “Required Criminal Conviction Question” on the form is being changed: A. to add entry of a guilty plea to the conviction question; and B. to add some additional application response questions for those applicants who provide a positive response to the conviction question. These changes are discussed in the record of the May 3, 2018 rule hearing.
3. An oath is being added to this form in the format provided in section 92.525, Florida Statutes. Some of the questions related to substance abuse, mental health issues and applicant identity are changed to a yes/ no format to compliment the oath format. The renewal statement in the form is deleted. This change is related to comments in the JAPC letter dated July 7, 2017, and record discussion at the rule hearing held May 3, 2018.
4. Changes are made to the fees required for the recertification of EMT’s and paramedics, to conform to the statutory and rule requirements. These changes were discussed in the record of the May 3, 2018 rule hearing.
5. The Continuing Education verification line is deleted, as the EMT and paramedic renewal related education is not tracked through CE Broker. This change was discussed in the record of the May 3, 2018 rule hearing.
64J-1.009 Paramedics.
(1) Qualifications and Procedures for Certification pursuant to Section 401.27, F.S. To be qualified for paramedic certification, an individual must:
(a)1. Successfully complete an initial Florida paramedic training program that was conducted in accordance with the January 2009 U.S. DOT Paramedic National EMS Education Standards incorporated by reference and is available at https://www.ems.gov/education.html www.ems.gov/educationstandards.htm and http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-##### or
2. If out of state or military trained in accordance with the 1998 U.S. DOT EMT-Paramedic (EMT-P) NSC or the January 2009 U.S. DOT Paramedic National EMS Education Standards, currently hold a valid paramedic certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). The 1998 U.S. DOT EMT-Paramedic (EMT-P) NSC is incorporated herein by reference and available at https://www.ems.gov/education.html www.ems.gov/educationstandards.htm and http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-#####.
(b) Each applicant must submit to the department DH Form 1583, 04/2017 6/16, “Application for EMT/Paramedic Certification” (see Rule 64J-1.008 F.A.C.).
(c) For those applicants subject to subparagraph (1)(a)1., file the completed application form described in paragraph (1)(b) to apply for certification and pass the department required paramedic certification examination within two years of completing the initial Florida training program. The department will accept a passing score for this exam if taken within the two-year period, whether the exam is taken before or after the application is filed. or otherwise have passed the Florida required paramedic certification examination within two years of completing the Florida initial training program.
(2) Renewal Certification – To maintain an active certificate the paramedic shall pay the recertification fee and affirm continued compliance with all applicable requirements contained in Rules 64J-1.009(2)(a) or (b), F.A.C., complete and submit the applicable certification renewal notice, “Recertification Notice and Application” Certificate Renewal Notice DH- MQA 1212, 06/17, incorporated by reference in Rule 64J-1.008, F.A.C., and mailed by the department, or apply for renewal online at www.flhealthsource.gov, where the form may also be obtained or at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-#####, and within 2 years prior to the expiration date of his or her paramedic certification complete one of the following:
(a) through (b) No change.
(3) through (4) No change.
Rulemaking Authority 381.0034, 381.0035, 401.27, 401.35, 456.013 FS. Law Implemented 381.001, 401.23, 401.27, 401.2715, 401.34, 401.35, 401.41, 401.411, 401.414, 456.013 FS. History–New 11-29-82, Amended 4-26-84, 3-11-85, Formerly 10D-66.57, Amended 4-12-88, 8-3-88, 12-10-92, 11-30-93, 12-10-95, 1-26-97, Formerly 10D-66.057, Amended 8-4-98, 1-3-99, 9-3-00, 4-15-01, 6-3-02, 11-3-02, 10-24-05, 1-23-07, 10-16-07, Formerly 64E-2.009, Amended 11-22-09, 5-27-10, .
64J-1.011 Involuntary Inactive Certification.
FORM DH 5023-MQA: This form is incorporated by reference into this rule section. A change is made to the form to delete an option for taking the Florida paramedic examination. This change is made in response to the January 17, 2018 JAPC letter where JAPC has taken the position that the Florida paramedic exam is no longer authorized where the department has certified a National Examination.
The oath on the form is also being changed to the section 92.525 Florida Statutes format. This change will remove the Notary Public portion of the form.
64J-1.020 Training Programs.
DH FORM 1698: This proposed rule section incorporates by reference “APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) TRAINING PROGRAM,” DH Form 1698, 04/17 – the following changes are made:
1. Under the heading “Program of Study” regarding a required final written and practical examination, the form is changed to specifically identify the most current National Education Standards on which the school must teach and examine. Those standards are the same standards identified at proposed Rule 64J-1.008(1)(a)1. (for EMT certification) and at proposed Rule 64J-1.009(1)(a)1. (for paramedic certification).
2. Under the Heading “Important Information for the Applicant,” the requirement for an applicant to complete all departmental requirements, including a site visit, within 120 days of filing the application, is deleted from the application form.
