Education FAQ’s

1. How do I renew my credential?
   • Individuals not affiliated with an acknowledged EMS Provider in North Carolina 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 via the directions within the Credential Renewal Process Instructions.

1. • Individuals affiliated with an acknowledged EMS Provider in North Carolina will need to go through the local EMS Systems process.
   • For content:
     • Please refer to the located on the Education section of our website.
     • Refer to the level-specific continuing education content.
     • Complete our credential renewal process, which may be accessed at Credential Renewal Process Instructions.  All supporting documentation shall be in a single document and uploaded with the application.

2. 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).
• 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.
• Please refer to the Continuing Education Guidelines located on the Education section of our website.
• Refer to the level-specific continuing education content.

3. 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.
• You may also find course offerings listed on the NCOEMS Educational Opportunities page: Educational Opportunities – NCOEMS

4. 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.

• Individuals not affiliated with an acknowledged EMS Provider in North Carolina 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 via the directions within the Credential Renewal Process Instructions.
• 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 Guidelines located on Education page of our website.
  • Refer to the level-specific continuing education content.
  • Complete our credential renewal process, which may be accessed at Credential Renewal Process Instructions. All supporting documentation shall be in a single document and uploaded with the application.

5. 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 OEMSEducation@dhhs.nc.gov 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.

6. What is the difference between continuing education and refresher classes?

• Continuing education 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 the state minimally required content and generally have one cost.

7. When I renew my National Registry Credential, will it automatically renew my North Carolina credential?

• National Registry and the North Carolina Office of EMS are separate credentialing entities, and you must submit separate recredentialing documentation to each. You may use your National Registry credential to renew your NCOEMS credential.

• • Complete our credential renewal process, which may be accessed at Credential Renewal Process Instructions. All supporting documentation shall be in a single document and uploaded with the application.

1. My credential expired, and I want to get it back. What do I have to do?

• If your credential has been expired for less than 12 mos you will need to:
  • Be a resident of North Carolina or affiliated with a North Carolina EMS Provider; provider or employed with an alternative practice setting in compliance with Rule .0506
  • Ensure you met the renewal education requirements prior to expiration or complete a NCOEMS approved refresher course at the level of application taken following expiration of the credential. Refresher courses shall perform summative scope of practice evaluation on candidates.
  • Complete our credential renewal process, which may be accessed at Credential Renewal Process Instructions. All supporting documentation shall be in a single document and uploaded with the application.
  • Successfully pass the NCOEMS Credentialing Exam
    • If unsuccessful in the allotted maximum of 3 attempts within 6 mos from the graded date, then the individual will be required to complete an Initial EMS Program
  • Upon successful completion of the NCOEMS Credentialing Exam, Compliance will perform any required background checks and decide on the issuance of a Credential.

• If your credential has been expired greater than 12 months, you will need to:
  • Be a resident of North Carolina or affiliated with a North Carolina EMS Provider; provider or employed with an alternative practice setting in compliance with Rule .0506
  • Verify your expired Credential in our current data system
    • Please visit: https://continuum.emspic.org/login
  • Enroll in and successfully complete an NCOEMS Approved Refresher Course.
    • Individuals may re-enter at or below the level of expired Credential
      • Example: Paramedic may re-enter as an AEMT, EMT, or EMR
    • Successfully complete the level-specific summative scope of practice evaluation
    • Successfully pass the level-appropriate NCOEMS Credentialing Exam
      • If unsuccessful in the allotted maximum of 3 attempts within 6 mos from the graded date, then the individual will be required to complete an Initial EMS Program
    • Upon successful completion of the NCOEMS Credentialing Exam, Compliance will perform any required background checks and decide on the issuance of a Credential.

2. I am back from military deployment, how do I renew my expired credential?

• Upon returning to the United States, individuals must contact a regional education specialist for further instructions.
  • Deployment orders will need to be submitted to ensure that the individual was deployed and unable to obtain CE while deployed.
  • These situations are handled on a case-by-case basis.

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. I was denied Legal Recognition with my NREMT, because I completed my course in North Carolina

• Per 10A NCAC 13p .0502(b)(5) Individuals applying to OEMS for legal recognition, who completed initial educational courses through an OEMS approved North Carolina educational institution, shall complete a written examination administered by the OEMS.
• You will need to register for a NCOEMS Exam
  • Start at #3: How long do I have to take the state exam?
• I have attempted to register and get an error
  • This may be due to exceeding allotted time or previous exam attestation. To resolve this issue, please send a screenshot of the error along with your name and P number to oemseducation@dhhs.nc.gov.
    • Education Staff will determine the issue and solution and will provide you a response.
    • Responses may take several business days depending on current staffing and workloads.

3. 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. If the applicant fails to register and complete a written examination within the 90-day period, the applicant shall obtain a letter of authorization to continue eligibility for testing from his or her EMS Educational Institution’s program coordinator to qualify for an extension of the 90-day requirement
• 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 the 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 .0501   of this section

4. How do I register for Credentialing Exam?

See the following ling for directions: How-to-register-for-a-credentialing-exam-2023.pdf (nc.gov)

5. What type of accommodations can be provided when taking the state exam?

• The North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services (NCOEMS) may offer applicants with documented disabilities reasonable and appropriate accommodations for state EMS credentialing examinations.
• To request the exam accommodations, applicants must request an “Exam Accommodations Request” form provided by a regional education specialist OEMSEducation@dhhs.nc.gov .
• Upon receiving the required form, applicants need to read and follow the instructions as indicated.
  • 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.

6. What do I need to bring with me when I take the state exam?

• Refer to Meazure Learning Test Registration Information

7. 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 Meazure Learning for further information
• The individual must follow the Meazure Learning Cancellation Policy

8. If I complete an NCOEMS 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 the North Carolina General Statute.

9. 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 Military Equivalency Credential – NCOEMS

1. How do I sign up for an Instructor Workshop?

• See Instructor Workshop Guidelines NCOEMS-InstructorWorkshopGuidlines.pdf

2. What do I need to become a Level 1/Level 2 instructor?

• See EMS Instructor Application Instructor Application Instructions 09/2023 (nc.gov)

4. 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.

5. Do I have to attend a workshop every year?

• Currently, rule requires that you attend at least one (1) instructor workshop during the last year of your instructor credential.

6. 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