Authorizes the commissioner of health to extend the validity of certifications for emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians and certified first responders

BILL NUMBER:S7264

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to authorizing the commissioner of health to extend the validity of certifications for emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians and certified first responders

Purpose

To allow the Commissioner of Health to authorize recertification extensions for emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians or certified first responders in the case of a license expiration prior to the next scheduled written examination.

Summary of provisions

Section one adds subdivision twelve to Section 3011 of the Public Health law by authorizing the Commissioner of Health to extend the certifications of emergency medical professionals who have completed all of the requirements for recertification but are unable to take the written test before the expiration of their license. The certification extension will last until the time of the next scheduled written certification test, along with any time associated with the scoring of the exam.

Section two states the effective date.

Justification

Currently, emergency medical personnel recertification written exams are administered only seven times a year. Often emergency medical licenses expire in a month when the written exam is not offered. This law will allow emergency medical professionals the opportunity, if approved by the Commissioner of Health, to extend their certification until the next scheduled written exam. It is important to make sure that the EMT recertification process is as welcoming as Possible for emergency service professionals. These professionals are often volunteers who give up their own personal time with no financial benefit to fulfill the certification process and to carry out the emergency services that are vital to the communities throughout New York State. The law will allow emergency service professionals who, through no fault of their own, cannot complete the written exam prior to the expiration of their certification to seek a temporary extension of their certification that will allow them to continue to provide life-sustaining emergency medical services while they await the next scheduled examination date.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None to State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately upon becoming law.