Holly Hammann, Southeast EMS SpecialistMinnesota offers 5 levels of EMT training and EMT paramedic training. Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, Advanced EMT (AEMT), and EMT-Paramedic.
The EMS certifications are governed by the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board. All training programs for First Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, AEMT, or EMT-Paramedic must be approved by the EMS Regulatory Board.
EMS Certification
To be eligible for certification in the EMS field for the state of Minnesota, a candidate must successfully complete the USDOT course, or an equivalent EMT or EMT paramedic training program that is EMSR Board, specific to the EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate or EMT-Paramedic classification. Following the EMS coursework and field work, the student must then pass the written and practical examinations, approved by the Board and administered by the Board or its designee, each one specific to the EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate or EMT-Paramedic classification.
The Minnesota EMSRB site has a link for each level of training and certification. This link takes you to a number of schools and courses, approved and certified by the state of Minnesota, that will provide the training and coursework you need for each level of MN EMS certification.
Certification Reciprocity
The state of Minnesota accepts reciprocity for Minnesota EMS certification. EMT-Basics, EMT-Intermediates, and EMT-Paramedics requesting reciprocity in Minnesota must hold current National Registry of EMTs certification. To request reciprocity, the individual must fax or mail a copy of the current National Registry of EMTs card to the EMSRB office and fill out an online disclosure form. This disclosure form can be obtained online at the Minnesota EMSRB website or though the information listed at the end of this article.
EMT-Basics entering Minnesota with CURRENT certification from another state, but without National Registry certification, must take a practical skills exam at an EMSRB approved training program and then successfully complete and pass the NREMT written exam. In addition, the EMSRB strongly recommends that a 24 hour refresher course be taken. The certification from another state must be CURRENT throughout all areas of testing in order for the applicant to be eligible to take the National Registry written exam.
Additional Information
Certification cards with the new Minnesota EMS levels of EMR, EMT, AEMT and Paramedic cannot be issued until after a student successfully completes an EMS training course from an approved education program that is sanctioned to implement the new standards. The statewide transition date for Minnesota’s education programs is expected to be completed by mid 2014.
There are additional requirements for pursuing training in each region, and details of these are fairly common state to state. Read the articles found in EMT Training Top Tips and Paramedic Training Best Tips for details and a list of these requirements.
Contact Information
Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board
2829 University Avenue South East,
Suite 310 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414
(651) 201-2800