NREMT Vs. Florida test

[Kyfiremedic]

I have heard that Florida is going to start accepting Nat. Reg. for Cert/Recert instead of taking their state test. Does anyone have info on this? Thanks

[amtrakphan]

December 2003 was the last month during which the old testing company, Schroeder Measurement Technologies, gave the EMT-B and Paramedic Certification exams. We have/will be going to NREMT exams beginning this month. I am not quite sure how the exam process will work from now on, but I have heard that it will involve a Mega Code for Medics, and some kind of practical for EMT's. The old test was simply a long written examination, as the state required where ever you took your classes to have a practical exam to finish the class.

When I took my EMT exam last year, I was not impressed at all with the level of service provided by the old company. Disorganization, delays, and lack of (what I thought) was adequate supervision for a certifying exam. A friend of mine took the December Medic test, and he said it was horrible, with only one proctor for over one hundred applicants, and his and several others exams got "lost" during scoring.

Mind you I'm in the stage of life where I am taking many, many, exams; SAT I/II, ACT, CLEP, AP.. etc, so I think I know what a 'good' testing program is. I am glad to see a switch, but we'll see. Several of my friends will be taking the new NREMT exam in a few months for EMT-B, so I shall hear from them.

[Kyfiremedic]

Well that answers alot of my questions, thanks for the info. I wonder what impact that will have on people like me who are already NREMT cert. and wish to come to Florida to work? Does that mean that Florida will now accept my NREMT-P cert. and provide me direct reciprocity to work in Florida?

[DaSharkie]

I took the Florida Paramedic exam in September 2002 when my wife and I were heavily considering moving to Florida (it has been put off while I attend PA school next year.)

I was less than impressed with the written exam and didn't exactly feel challenged by it. The National exam is written and rewritten constantly, challenged and rechallenged constantly. This allows for a good exam process and ensures that all information is current, accurate, and understandably presented to the examinees. With Florida switching to the National Registry, it makes it easier to relocate and allows for an easier process of filling all of those vacant paramedic slots down there.

It also leaves a few states as the only ones who do not accept the National Registry as a standard. Massachusetts requires all out of state and Natinally Registered medics from out of state to take the written portion of the exam (generally accepted as a running joke).

One question - What color is the middle strap of a K.E.D.? What if you have never seen a K.E.D.? Nevermind who the heck cares?

Another - How much oxygen does a D tank hold? Again, who the heck cares?

Ah, serenity now.......


Have you visited the Florida EMS site:

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/ems

[amtrakphan]

Originally posted by DaSharkie
Florida switching to the National Registry, it makes it easier to relocate and allows for an easier process of filling all of those vacant paramedic slots down there.



If you are going to come down to Florida eventually, it would be very worthwhile to get your Florida FF I/II Minimum Standards certification. Most large EMS programs in Florida are integrated into the Fire Service, and one must be both a Firefighter and a Paramedic to even be considered for employment. I think that is part of the reason Florida tends to be so short with regards to Paramedics, especially in other parts of the state. Most EMS only services in state don't pay nearly half as well as the Fire/EMS services.

[DaSharkie]

If you are going to come down to Florida eventually, it would be very worthwhile to get your Florida FF I/II Minimum Standards certification.

That is an entirely different reciprocity argument that has been bantied about here for a LONG time. When will they accept out of state or national certs for firefighter I / II?

[smurfe]

Does this mean that Florida will now accept NREMT for reciprocity? Anyone have any info on this? I have considered relocating to Florida. I am old now, might as well be there when I retire. And how about if I took my FF1 in 1980, will they accept it? LOL

Smurfe:D

[Kyfiremedic]

Smurfe, I have been calling the Florida dept. of EMS for the last 3 days to find that out. All I have been getting is the voice mailboxs of those in charge. I did speak to a recipionist who said they have been VERY busy lately. Is that because they are changeing the system, who knows? On an encouraging note, I went to the NREMT website and they have a colored map of states and their standing with NREMT. Florida was always blue in color, which ment even if you had your NREMT Cert. you still had to take their test. As of last week, they were tan in color, which means they accept NREMT Certs. So, I am going out on a limb and saying the rules have changed, but I have yet to talk to anyone who can confirm that. I too want to move to Florida to work. What part of the state are you looking at?

[amtrakphan]

Originally posted by DaSharkie


That is an entirely different reciprocity argument that has been bantied about here for a LONG time. When will they accept out of state or national certs for firefighter I / II?

I don't think that will happen anytime soon, but thats not to say it won't. I've heard the arguements and what not, and like I said, that is one of the reasons many departments seem to be short on Paramedics. I have heard of people getting reciprocity from the State for FF I/II, but that it was a very, very lengthy process.

Smurfe,

Unless you want to be with a vollie dept, its back to the academy! FF I isn't really worth much by itself here outside of volunteer depts, as every paid department requires the 480 hour Firefighter Minimum Standards Certificate--which is FF I and FF II.

I will be looking into the specifics of the NREMT exam myself and try and get a hold of EMS, as I'm looking to challenge it once I finish my BSN/RN two years from now. I know one could do it with the old exam, hope it is still the same by then!

[KParker]

Unless Florida has changed the rules, they still require you to be able to pass their test to be able to work in Florida. You may have all of the certificates in the world, but if you can't pass the Florida tests, then they don't care. I am not long out of FF II class, and since Florida has such high standards, I was able to send off for my NPQ, without taking any more exams/practicals. Basically you pretty much have to pass FL tests.
Kris

[ToddRC]

Florida will no longer hold EMT-B and PMD tests. While florida has taken NREMT (provided the student attended a Florida EMS traing Center), the state has now disgarded its own testing system entirely and gone completely to NREMT. This provides for the best reciprocity and is good news for those Alabama and Georgia providers who are thinking about traveling across state lines to work. Currently AL and GA are both NREMT states. Florida holds one of the lowest pass rates in the country at less than 50%. Keiser college, which has stepped upto the EMS training plate has announced it will also become a NREMT testing center also.

For more incormation contact Pam Sobodowski at 850-906-9005 or email her at psobodowski@keisercollege.edu