Office of Emergency Medical Services

• Renewing Credential
• Expired Credential
• State Exam
• Instructor Workshops

Renewing Credential (not expired)

1. How do I renew my credential?
   • Individuals not affiliated with an acknowledged EMS Provider in N.C. will need to obtain all continuing education certificates and transcripts from the educational institutions attended. Once documentation has been obtained, it will need to be submitted to the appropriate Educational Specialist.
   • Individuals affiliated with an acknowledged EMS Provider in N.C. will need to go through the local EMS Systems process.
   • Individual shall be either a resident of North Carolina or affiliated with a NC EMS Provider
2. How many hours do I need to renew my credential?
   • Please refer to the Continuing Education (CE) Guidelines, located on the Credentialing/Compliance and Education section of our website.
   • Refer to the level-specific continuing education content.
3. What type of continuing education will you accept?
   • Our office will accept CE from NCOEMS-approved EMS educational institutions or equivalent.
   • Equivalent means that the course is approved through CAPCE (Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education), formerly CECBEMS (Continuing Education Board for EMS Providers).
   • Other forms of CE may be submitted; however, there is no guarantee that it will be accepted.
   • Credential cards alone will not be accepted. The cards must be accompanied by certificates of completion, outlines, or transcripts to be considered.
4. What topics do I need to cover for my continuing education?
   • Please refer to the Continuing Education (CE) Guidelines, located on the Credentialing/Compliance and Education section of our website.
   • Refer to the level-specific continuing education content.
5. Are there refresher or continuing education classes I can take so my credential won't expire?
   • Yes, please contact your local community college EMS Program for course offerings.
6. How do I renew my credential. What is required?
   • Individuals not affiliated with an acknowledged EMS Provider in N.C. will need to obtain all continuing education certificates and transcripts from the educational institutions attended. Once documentation has been obtained, it will need to be submitted to the appropriate Educational Specialist.
   • Individuals affiliated with an acknowledged EMS Provider in N.C. will need to go through the local EMS Systems process.
   • For content:
     • Please refer to the Continuing Education (CE) Guidelines, located on the Credentialing/Compliance and Education section of our website.
     • Refer to the level-specific continuing education content.
7. How do I submit applications or other documents to NCOEMS?
   • Electronic submission via email is preferred.
   • Original documents should be maintained for auditing purposes.
8. How do I apply for early renewal?
   • Our office allows individuals to renew ninety (90) days prior to their expiration without changing the expiration date. o To renew:
     • Individuals not affiliated with an acknowledged EMS Provider in N.C. will need to obtain all continuing education certificates and transcripts from the educational institutions attended. Once documentation has been obtained, it will need to be submitted to the appropriate Educational Specialist.
     • Individuals affiliated with an acknowledged EMS Provider in N.C. will need to go through the local EMS Systems process.
     • For content:
     • Please refer to the Continuing Education (CE) Guidelines, located on the Credentialing/Compliance and Education section of our website.
     • Refer to the level-specific continuing education content.
9. I am in the military. Can I get an extension on my credential?
   • No, our office does not allow for extensions.
   • Upon arrival back to the United States, individuals need to contact a regional education specialist for further instructions. o Deployment orders will need to be submitted to ensure that the individual was actually deployed and not able to obtain CE while deployed.
     • These situations are handled on a case-by-case basis.
10. What is the difference between continuing education and refresher classes?
    • CE courses are offered regularly and range from one (1) to sixteen (16) hours. Generally, these courses are paid for on a class-by-class basis.
    • Refresher courses encompass all of the state minimum required content and generally have one cost.

Expired Credential

1. My credential expired, and I want to get it back. What do I have to do?
   • If you have been expired greater than 36 months, you will need to complete an Initial Education course and successfully pass the credentialing exam.
   • If the individual had CE prior to expiring and it has been less than 36 months, the individual will need to:
     • Obtain all continuing education certificates and transcripts.
     • Once documentation has been obtained, it needs to be submitted to the appropriate Educational Specialist. Once this is approved, the individual will be required to complete a State certification exam successfully to reinstate their credential.
   • If the individual did not have CE prior to expiring and it has been less than 36 months, then the individual will need to take a NCOEMS-approved refresher course and upon successful completion of the course, the individual will need to take the State Credentialing Examination.
2. I am back from military deployment, how do I renew my expired credential?
   • Upon arrival back to the United States, individuals need to contact a regional education specialist for further instructions.
     • Deployment orders will need to be submitted to ensure that the individual was actually deployed and not able to obtain CE while deployed.
     • These situations are handled on a case-by-case basis.

State Exam

1. How old do I have to be to take the state exam?
   • Individuals must be seventeen (17) years of age to take the state exam. Individuals less than eighteen (18) years of age will not receive a credential until the last day of the month in which they turn eighteen (18).
2. How long do I have to take the state exam?
   • Individuals must take their first exam attempt within ninety (90) days of their graded date as reflected in Continuum.
   • A maximum of three attempts within six months are allowed from their graded date in the course.
   • If unable to pass the written examination requirement after three attempts within six month period following course grading date as reflected in the OEMS credentialing database, the educational course shall become invalid for the individual and the individual may only become eligible for credentialing by repeating the requirements set forth in rule 10A NCAC 13P .0502 of this section
3. How do I register for Credentialing Exam?
   
   • See How to register for a Credentialing Exam

4. What type of accommodations can be provided when taking the state exam?
   • Our office currently offers three (3) reasonable exam accommodations o Extended time – 1 and ½ hours o Distraction-reduced environment  o Enlarged font
   • To request the exam accommodations, applicants must request an "Exam Accommodations Request" form provided by a regional education specialist.
   • Upon receiving the required form, applicants need to read and follow the instructions as indicated. o Completed forms and all supporting documentation must be received by the NCOEMS a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the requested exam date and location.

5. What do I need to bring with me when I take the state exam?
   • Refer to Scantron Test Registration Information

6. I signed up for a state exam but cannot go that day. How can I get out of that one and sign up for another one?
   • Contact Scantron for further information
   • The individual must follow the Scantron Assessment Solutions Cancellation Policy
7. If I complete a NCEMS course but am an out-of-state resident, would I still be able to take the state exam?
   • Yes, you may take the exam; however, you will not be issued a credential until you have completed the required background portion as required by North Carolina General Statute.
8. I am in the military and have training that is equivalent to an EMS credential, how can I obtain a North Carolina Credential?
   • Please refer to the Military Equivalency Application Process

Instructor Workshops

1. How do I sign up for an Instructor Workshop?
   • See Instructor Workshop Guidelines
2. What do I need to become a Level 1/Level 2 instructor?
   • See EMS Instructor Application
3. How long is the instructor credential valid?
   • Not to exceed four (4) years (48 months)
   • Instructor credentials do not have the same expiration date as provider credentials. If your provider credential expires, your instructor credential also expires.
4. Do I have to attend a workshop every year?
   • Currently, rule requires that you attend at least one (1) workshop during the last year of your instructor credential.
5. Can I use my Fire Instructor I / II Methodology to obtain my EMS Instructor?
   • No, you must take the North Carolina EMS Instructor Methodology course or the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) Level I course