EMS Education

Initial EMS courses provide training on the knowledge and skills used by EMS personnel in emergency patient care. 

Initial EMS courses are offered at four different levels in Idaho:

• EMR
• EMT
• AEMT
• Paramedic

Prior to applying for an Idaho EMS license, you must successfully complete an initial EMS course from an Idaho approved EMS education program and pass the standardized exams. Visit the EMS Personnel page for information on the license application process and requirements. To be added to a course and approved to take exams, you must have an IGEMS and NREMT account.

There are two standardized exams required for each licensure level:

• Computer-Based Exam (Also referred to as the cognitive or written exam) - An exam used to test your competency in EMS scenarios.
  • Administered by NREMT.
• Psychomotor Exam - A hands-on course-based skills exam.
  • Administered by the education program.
  • The psychomotor exam is typically completed as part of the initial EMS course. If not, you have two years to complete both standardized exams after successfully passing an initial EMS course.

Computer-Based Exam Information

To take the NREMT computer-based exam, you will need to go to NREMT’s website, create an account, and submit an application.

Detailed instructions for creating an account, submitting an application, and scheduling an exam are found in the certification handbooks for each level under Candidate Resources on the NREMT’s Candidate web page.

Exam Attempts for Initial Licensure

You are allowed three attempts to pass the computer-based exam for each licensure level. If not, the following applies:

• EMR- EMR course must be successfully completed again.
• EMT - 24 hours of remedial education must be successfully completed.
• AEMT - 36 hours of remedial education must be successfully completed.
• Paramedic - 48 hours of remedial education must be successfully completed.

After completing the remedial education with the initial education program, you will be granted three more attempts at the computer-based exam.

NREMT Exam Vouchers

Exam vouchers are used to pay the fee charged by the NREMT to take the exam. To apply for an exam voucher, log into your IGEMS account, select "applications" in the menu and go to the Exam Voucher Application. Only students affiliating with a volunteer EMS agency will be eligible for an exam voucher. The voucher can only be used for the student’s first attempt at the exam.

Requirements

• Hold a current EMS license or EMS certificate at or above the instructor level requested.
• You are licensed or certified at or above the instructor level requested for a minimum of three years.
  • The three-year minimum does not have to be completed within the state of Idaho.
• Pass a background check with the IDHW Background Check Unit within the last three years.
• Complete the Idaho EMS Instructor Orientation course within the last 24 months.
  • To complete the course, you must create an account on Train.org and select the course named “IDHW: EMS Instructor Orientation (IO) (Education Program Orientation)”
• The Adult Methodology requirement can be met by holding one of the following certifications or completing an Adult Methodology course meeting the content requirements below:
  • Certifications
    • NAEMSE Instructor Course 1
    • NFPA 1041: Fire Service Instructor I and II
    • DOD Instructor Courses
    • A teaching certificate issued by a state board of education
  • Content Requirements for an Adult Methodology course
    • The adult learner
    • Goals and objectives
    • Learning styles
    • Lesson plans
    • Teaching resources
    • Teaching aids
    • Teaching methods
    • Measurement and evaluation techniques
    • Remediation, communication, and feedback

To apply for instructor certification, log into your IGEMS account and select applications in the menu and go to the “Instructor Certification – Initial” application. Once approved, your license will expire on June 30th, in the third year from the issue date.

For any questions regarding adult methodology requirements, email EMSprovlic@dhw.idaho.gov.

Renewal

Your renewal application becomes available, in IGEMS, six months prior to your license expiring. If you do not complete your renewal, and your certification expires, your certification is no longer valid, and you must complete the initial certification requirements.

If you are seeking to renew your instructor certification, you must:

• Complete 24 hours of instructor teaching time.
• Complete eight hours of continuing education specific to adult education.

To apply for instructor certification, log into your IGEMS account and select applications in the menu and go to the “Instructor Certification – Renewal” application.

I already have a TRAIN account with my state/affiliate TRAIN site. How do I also join the MRC-TRAIN site?

• Anyone can easily belong to both the MRC-TRAIN site and, where available, the state-affiliate TRAIN site. Once logged into TRAIN go to “My Account” and click the “Groups” tab. Click the “Edit” button and TRAIN will guide you through selecting both State and MRC Groups. Please be advised that if an MRC TRAIN user belongs to a state-affiliate TRAIN site the administrator from the given TRAIN state affiliate will have access to users' TRAIN learner record and personal profile.

I cannot find required EMS courses in TRAIN. 

• Course availability in TRAIN is based on your 'Group' settings. Make sure you have 'Idaho' and either 'Emergency Medical Services' or 'DUAL EMS/FIRE AGENCY' added to your 'Group' settings.

I have completed a course, but it still says, "In Progress" in "My Learning." How do I complete the course?

• Most courses require you to manually complete the course. To do so, go to “My Learning” and click the “M” icon next to the course name. This takes you to the course details page. Click the “Complete” button to complete the course. Some courses might have assessments, while others might ask you to enter a score manually. You are not required to enter a score.

I have completed my course and it is no longer in "My Learning" - where did it go?

• All completed courses are found in the “Transcript” page. You can find this link on the home page in the “My Learning Record” box.

If you are an established Idaho EMS agency, submit an application in IGEMS and attach all applicable documents below:

Required Documents

• Curriculum
  • The curriculum must meet the Idaho Education Standards for the level and include the following:
    • National Specific Content (Available on the FEMA website):
      • Incident Command System (ICS)
      • ICS-100
      • ICS-700
      • HazMat Awareness
    • Idaho Specific Content:
      • Landing Zone Officer
      • Extrication Awareness
      • Safe Haven (PDF | PowerPoint [not viewable from link, you must download the PowerPoint for use])
      • Physician Order for Scope of Treatment (POST)
• Signed agreements
  • Hospital/Clinical Agreement (Hospital, Clinic, or Nursing Home)
  • Field Experience Agency Agreement
    • Only required if field experience is to be completed by an EMS agency separate from the EMS program.
  • Medical Director (MD) Agreement
    • MD can acknowledge education program in IGEMS within the application.
    • MD can sign a new written agreement and submit that document.

Required Agency Roles Identified in IGEMS

• Program Director
  • Complete the “Education Program Orientation” course within 24 months.
• Instructor - Idaho-Certified
  • Current instructor certification issued by the Bureau.
• Course Physician or Medical Director
  • Idaho licensed medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy with experience and current knowledge of emergency care of acutely ill and injured patients.
  • Knowledge or experience in the delivery of out-of-hospital emergency care, including the proper care and transport of patients, medical direction, and quality improvement in out-of-hospital care.

Additional Requirements

• Each education program must have the equipment and supplies specific to the level of course.
  • The Bureau maintains a limited amount of BLS training equipment that can be loaned out to an EMS agency in need. The borrowing agency takes full responsibility and ensures that all equipment is accounted for and kept in same condition upon return to the Bureau. Items that are lost or damaged beyond normal wear and tear must be replaced at the agency’s expense.
  • If your agency is interested in using this equipment, please send your request to EMSCourses@dhw.idaho.gov.

If you are a hospital, state government entity, or school recognized by the Idaho Board of Education in Title 33 (college, high school, private school, technical training center) wanting to start an EMS education program, you will need to complete the requirements listed in the section immediately above, then contact a field coordinator with the Bureau at 208-334-4000.

Education Program Rules and Standards

• 16.01.05 rules governing EMS Education, Instructor, and Examination Requirements
• Idaho EMS Education Standards – 2022
• National EMS Education Standards

Required Content, Courses, and Course Guidelines

EMR

• Emergency Medical Responder Instruction Guidelines
• 2011 IEC EMR Course Outline

EMT

• Emergency Medical Technician Instruction Guidelines
• 2011 IEC EMT Course Outline

AEMT

• Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Instruction Guidelines
• 2011 IEC AEMT Course Outline

Paramedic

• Paramedic Instruction Guidelines

Effective July 1, 2024, the NREMT will no longer offer psychomotor exams. Formal psychomotor exam requirements for paramedics are outlined by CoAEMSP and Advanced EMT exam requirements are outlined by the Bureau. Your EMS education program may conduct the psychomotor exam using the Bureau psychomotor exam administration guidelines. These guidelines are based on the historical method of administering a psychomotor exam developed by the NREMT.

The following links contain the exam administration guidelines:

• BLS Psychomotor Exam Administration Guidelines
• ALS Psychomotor Exam Administration Guidelines
• OM Module Exam Administration Guidelines