Certified to licensed Paramedic

[duncan84]

Im in medic school and i will finish and be certified. but if i want to go back and be licensed would i have to go all the way back through medic school at my local Jr. College? or would i have to just take the major courses?

[leylandauto]

It always seemed to me that the differences between 'certified' and 'licensed' was pretty much semantics.

[duncan84]

yeah there isnt any difference but it would just be nice to have an associates degree in paramedicine. and im goin for my BS and then to PA school so i was just wondering if i'd have to go all the way back through medic shool.

[pthomas]

As I understand it, in Texas the difference is a formal education. Here, if a certified paramedic wanted to obtain licensure, they would have to complete X-number of core courses at a college (maybe one or two full semesters worth of courses); however, they would not have to repeat paramedic school. If they already have an Associates Degree in EMS, they are eligible for licensure. With a bachelors degree or higher with any major, one is eligible for licensure as well.

I can't imagine that another state would be any different, in that they would require an already certified paramedic to re-do paramedic school just to obtain licensure. Anyways, hope this is helpful.

Regards,
-pt

[emt161]

We don't have certifications. Everybody's licensed.

[pthomas]

emt161, what state are you in if you don't mind me asking? Thanks! -pt

[emt161]

Northeast.

[sincitymedic]

I work as a paramedic in Southern California and your only Certified when you complete the NREMT-P test, but your not able to function unitil you get your licence from the state, then your county license. I didn't know that there were certified and licensed.

[Gladser3849]

Everyone is licensed in Michigan as well. Once you are certified by NREMT, you are eligible to apply for licensure with the state.

[RicanMedic78]

in NYS/city, there's only certification. I've never heard of licensure in paramedicine...

[engine4cLT]

I live in Mississippi and work there and in Memphis TN. In MS, I am certified. We operate under the MS Dept of Health and are goverened by the MS board of Nursing. You can see the conflict right there. Medics in MS basicaly can't function outside of an ambulance. If you happen to be a Medic in an ER, you can stock rooms and other non professional duties. In TN, where I work part time in a hospital, it is completely different. In TN, EMS has their own governing and licensing board. You are considered a licensed healtcare professional. You actually have an extended scope of practice in the ER. As of last November, a medic in an ER can use a broad range of specified medications (with the last sentence reading "or any other medication deemed necessary by the ER physician."), can hang blood, antibiotics, and has an extended skill set. Being licensed has the advantage of a group of your peers (medics, emts, and emergency physicians) looking out for you. In MS, the people who oversee us are nurses. There is not an emt or medic on the board, unless there are some with RN first behind their names. Basically, with a license you are considered by the medical community to be a healthcare professional and certified your ancillary medical personnel.

[sassyffmedic]

It always seemed to me that the differences between 'certified' and 'licensed' was pretty much semantics.

While the difference is the 2 yr college accredited program and degree, only certain states allow a medic to become Lic. and Texas is one, which enables you to recert easier, higher pay scale employment.
So just complete your General eds and obtain your 2yr degree in Paramedicine You will have to check with you DOH if your state has the Lic paramedic option. If not then I urge you to become an active advocate to encourage them to that direction.

[mtfdemscaptain]

In Connecticut, changing from "certified" to "licensed" a few years back got us to pay $75 a year for a card, a change of wording on our patch and not much else! CT medics can only work as part of an EMS system, the ER is included in this, The other levels are still "certified".

In RI, I am considered licensed Paramedic as well but its free.