Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado Position on NREMT Certification and Re-certification

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys

Position statement adopted July 12, 2003 by the Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado, Inc. The association supports using the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) tests for initial written and practical examinations, provided Colorado’s statutory intent is respected so certification costs are paid through the EMS Account rather than applicants. It also calls for predictable statewide practical examination site fees, adequate NREMT representatives, coordinated exam availability through training centers, and clarifies initial versus re-testing responsibilities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Guidelines for using NREMT in Colorado certification

Certification cost responsibility under CRS 25-3.5-603

Practical examination site fees and statewide consistency

Availability of NREMT representatives for statewide testing

Coordination among regulated training centers

Initial examination costs vs. re-testing responsibility

Position on mandatory NREMT re-certification continuing education requirements

Adopted July 12, 2003 by the Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado, Inc. The Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado takes the following position regarding the use of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for certification and re-certification programs by the State of Colorado. Overall, the Association feels strongly that the National Registry of EMTs provides an excellent test for initial written and practical examinations for all levels of Emergency Medical Technicians. We endorse the use of NREMT exams by the State of Colorado provided the following guidelines can be met: 1. The State continues to respect the statutory intent of CRS 25-3. 5-603(2)(c)(I) that indicates that the EMS Account of the Highway Users Trust Fund (HUTF) is to be used for certification costs so that such costs are not borne by individual applicants for certification. Language requiring National Registry certification to be "eligible for certification" is not acceptable unless the costs of such eligibility are borne by the State of Colorado. This includes all fees for or paid directly to the National Registry of EMTs. 2. Practical Examination "site fees" or fees paid to NREMT practical exam test sites must be predictable statewide. We encourage the State and all regulated training centers to agree on a common price for all such exams across the state. 3. The number of National Registry representatives within the state is currently insufficient to introduce a statewide testing program at any EMT level. The state must work to insure a greater number of representatives prior to implementing additional NREMT practical exam requirements. 4. Regulated training centers are encouraged to work together to insure regular availability of exams throughout the state. Examinations should be open to all Colorado candidates on a consistent basis. EMT-Paramedic Training Centers are encouraged to cooperate with EMT-Intermediate Training Centers and each other to insure examination availability. 5. Initial examination costs should be included in the cost of EMT-Intermediate and EMT-Paramedic training programs."Re-testing" costs, however, are an individual responsibility. 6. Furthermore, the Association does not endorse the mandatory use of NREMT re-certification requirements that require 72 hours of continuing education at all EMT levels every two years as opposed to the current maximum of 50 hours every three years contained in CRS 25-3. 5-203(2) . We further support the State in not requiring a formal refresher course in order to re-certify an NREMT certificate within the State of Colorado. The Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado is a not-for-profit society of emergency medical service professionals, founded in 1973. EMSAC is involved in many facets of EMS, with three primary missions, to: 􀂃 Advocate, 􀂃 Communicate, 􀂃 Educate. Membership of nearly 2,500 comprises paramedic-, intermediate-and basic-level EMTs, EMS first responders, physiciansand nurses; and emergency dispatchers, medical educators and researchers and EMS training institutions. Members are both paid and volunteer professionals, from the urban centers ofthe state as well as our wide open rural and frontier regions. Our members serve with ambulance services, fire departments, search and rescue teams and ski patrols; and in hospitals, industrial plants, dispatch centers and the military.

FAQs

What is the association’s overall position on NREMT exams for EMT certification in Colorado?

The association strongly supports NREMT exams as an excellent test for initial written and practical examinations at all EMT levels, if specific guidelines are met.

How should certification costs be handled, according to the statement?

Certification costs should be funded using the EMS Account of the Highway Users Trust Fund (HUTF) so such costs are not borne by individual applicants.

Does the association endorse the mandatory NREMT re-certification requirements?

No. The association does not endorse mandatory NREMT re-certification requirements that require 72 hours of continuing education every two years, and it supports not requiring a formal refresher course for re-certification in Colorado.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys