Pursuant to the Governor’s authorization, as conferred in the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued on March 6, 2020 and the Governor’s Order to Enhance Protections for Health Care Workers issued on May 6, 2020, all statutory and regulatory provisions or portions thereof, that would impose an impediment to implementing the guidance outlined below are suspended. Said suspensions will remain in place throughout the duration of the Governor’s Proclamation.
The Bureau of EMS issues the following guidance as it relates to the utilization of out of state EMS personnel, as detailed below:
- EMS providers that hold an active credential with another state’s EMS certifying body, or whom hold an active certification with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, may practice in Pennsylvania on the sole basis of that certification. This suspends requirements found at 35 Pa. C.S. § 8113 and 28 Pa. Code § 1021.21.
- Individuals holding an out-of-state certification and are practicing in Pennsylvania with a licensed Pennsylvania EMS agency should not exceed the scope of practice or training that they received and are credentialed to perform in their home state. However, regardless of the scope of their home state, they may not exceed the established Pennsylvania Scope of Practice
- Prior to utilizing individuals whom do not hold Pennsylvania EMS certification, Pennsylvania EMS agencies should make a good faith effort to verify that the individual holds the credentials that they claim to hold, and should document what those efforts entailed. All NREMT certifications can be verified online at www.nremt.org in addition, many states have online verification options as well. Please visit https://www.nremt.org/rwd/public/states/state-ems-agencies, select the state you are trying to verify, then click the green button that says verify a state license. If available, you will be taken to that state’s certification portal. Please note, this is not an option for every state.
- Irrespective of certification level, the EMS agency medical director must approve all individuals with an out-of-state credential prior to their service with a Pennsylvania EMS agency.
- For the purposes of PCR documentation, any out of state provider should be entered with their name, and OOS as the certification number
- This guidance does not apply to out-of-state individual providers who are operating under an EMS service/vehicle licensed in another state. Pursuant to EMSIB 2020-09 Out of State Licensed EMS Agencies out-of-state EMS agencies may operate within Pennsylvania pursuant to the laws and regulations of the state in which they are licensed.
Please address any questions to your Regional EMS Council.