Part 2 Recertification By Continuing Education
Introduction
The continuing education option allows the individual to demonstrate continued competency by documentation of continuing education (CE, CEU, CME, competency credits, etc.) completed during the recertification cycle using the National Continued Competency Program (NCCP) model.
Submitting your recertification application online is much more efficient with an approximate processing time of 72 business hours. Mailed applications are by request only and can take up to 8 weeks to process after we receive them.
Submitting your recertification application online is much more efficient with an approximate processing time of 72 business hours. Mailed applications are by request only and can take up to 8 weeks to process after we receive them.
National Continued Competency Program (NCCP)
The NCCP streamlines the recertification process by indicating the continuing education needed to recertify and is constructed into three categories. These categories are national, state/local, and individual components. Education or credits claimed must be at or above the individual’s certification level.
This table lists the required number of credits for continuing education by each level of National EMS Certification and by the specific component.
There are currently two different NCCP models with different national component domain topic requirements. The education is based on your certification expiration date and the breakdown can be found in the NCCP section of the website.
Your state or local EMS agency may determine what education you should add to the local component. If there are no established local requirements, you can use any EMS direct patient care-related education.
This table lists the required number of credits for continuing education by each level of National EMS Certification and by the specific component.
There are currently two different NCCP models with different national component domain topic requirements. The education is based on your certification expiration date and the breakdown can be found in the NCCP section of the website.
Your state or local EMS agency may determine what education you should add to the local component. If there are no established local requirements, you can use any EMS direct patient care-related education.
Acceptable Education
The National Registry does not establish, approve, or accredit continuing education, but does review education to determine if one meets the requirements for recertification. The National Registry accepts the following education:
- Approved by a U.S. State EMS Office or Designated Authorizing Agency (DAA)
- Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE)
- Outlined in the National Registry Accepted Education and Documentation, Academic Credit, and Alternative Recertification Credits policies
Accepted Education Categories
The National Registry accepts several types of continuing education. We’ll take you through some of the most commont ypes of continuing education we see on an application.
Keep in mind, the course syllabus description must explain why and/or how the course can be related to your role as an EMS Professional. For example, a Pathophysiology course describes the processes of diseases by organs which is directly related to patient care.
Note: Academic courses are not accepted in the NCCP National Component.
Once someone enters this type of course, the National Registry will assist by automatically applying these courses to your recertification application for you! Once your national component has been fulfilled, these courses will then be applied to your local and individual components automatically.
For more details on the maximum credit limits and standardized courses accepted, see the NCCP 2025 Model document.
Academic/College Courses
These courses must be from an accredited college or university and must relate to your role as an EMS Professional. The amount of continuing education credits the National Registry will accept is based on the date the education was earned.| Education Earned | Course Hours to Credits | Example |
| Before April 1, 2023 | 1 course hour = 8 credits | 3-hour Pathophysiology = 24 credits |
| After April 1, 2023 | 1 course hour = 10 credits | 3-hour Pathophysiology = 30 credits |
Keep in mind, the course syllabus description must explain why and/or how the course can be related to your role as an EMS Professional. For example, a Pathophysiology course describes the processes of diseases by organs which is directly related to patient care.
Note: Academic courses are not accepted in the NCCP National Component.
Standardized Courses
Standardized courses are an easy way to earn education. The National Registry has predetermined the maximum number of credits that are allowed per course and has predetermined the national component domains the education can be applied to.Once someone enters this type of course, the National Registry will assist by automatically applying these courses to your recertification application for you! Once your national component has been fulfilled, these courses will then be applied to your local and individual components automatically.
For more details on the maximum credit limits and standardized courses accepted, see the NCCP 2025 Model document.
Initial EMS Programs
Education presented by your agency that meets the acceptable education requirements as listed above, can be used towards your recertification application and applied on a 1:1 ratio. Instructing an EMS course and wilderness training are additional examples of this type of education.Refresher Course Content
Refresher courses at your current National Registry certification level are accepted if taken during your certification cycle.FAQ: My ACLS course offers more hours than what is listed as the maximum credits the National Registry accepts. Can I use the higher amount?As a certification organization, the National Registry has the right to establish recertification requirements including the types of courses, credit limits, and accredited education providers. You will not be able to exceed the credit limit for standardized courses.
FAQ: My PALS course offers four hours which is less than the 12 credits the National Registry will accept. Will I only be able to apply four credits?No, you will be able to apply the maximum 12 credits for National Registry recertification.
Continuing Education that is not accepted
The National Registry does not accept the following for continuing education:
- Performance of duty or volunteer time with agencies: Paid or volunteer working or duty hours for any organization, agency, or medical facility.
- Clinical rotations: Clinical rotations that are not part of an EMS Education Program.
- Instructor methodology courses: Includes all courses to become an instructor or courses to achieve instructor-level certifications.
- Management/leadership courses: Includes business management and leadership, Fire/EMS administrative courses.
- Preceptor hours: Courses in which an individual takes to become a preceptor or that cover preceptor methodologies.
- Serving as a skills examiner or participant: Includes skills examiner, acting as a patient, or proctor for state level psychomotor examinations.
- Duplicate courses: Courses that are the same content or title and instructed by the same program, instructor, or organization within the same certification cycle.
- College courses: Most core or general education college course topics, such as algebra, statistics, chemistry, biology, sociology, languages, psychology, and so on that do not apply directly to EMS. A course syllabus will assist you to determine if it applies to patient care.