What are the benefits of being Nationally Registered?

[medickat]

First of all, I'm not quite sure I totally understand what National Registry is for the following reason - when I first got out of EMT-B school in 2006 in New Jersey, they were phasing out the requirement of being nationally registered in favor of state certification and so they gave us the state exam and that was that. Here in Mass, where I have relocated, they do not use NR either (correct me if I'm wrong).

Basically my questions are this -

What is the benefit of being a nationally registered EMT?
Is it something that I should look into getting in my situation?


Thanks in advance, guys.

 

[Shishkabob]

Benefit is, it's easily transferable between most of the states without having to do anything additional.


It's really only of any use if you leave the state you're currently in for another state that accepts it. There's no telling where you'll be in 5 years. You can plan on staying in your state forever but that can change.





I keep mine for that very reason, and for the fact that it's so hard to get back once you let it lapse, it's easier just to continue it.

 

[Handsome Robb]

Some states require it for initial certification as well.

 

[Ewok Jerky]

basically what JP said:

initial effort is minimal, recert is sub-minimal, result is if you ever move to a NR state it is super easy to get your card, just show your NR card and pay the money and your in.

some states recognize another state's card in place of NR, but not all, or some might require more proof of education. bottom line is: if you plan on moving out of state, ever, NR is a good idea.

 

[Zeroo]

It serves no purpose in MA. If your gonna move out of state then it will be useful if that state uses it.

 

[Tigger]

It serves no purpose in MA. If your gonna move out of state then it will be useful if that state uses it.

Though it may serve no direct purpose in MA, it would be nice if training programs and agencies would support its adoption, it's such a bear to keep it updated in MA since no cares about it.

 

[Zeroo]

Though it may serve no direct purpose in MA, it would be nice if training programs and agencies would support its adoption, it's such a bear to keep it updated in MA since no cares about it.

I disagree. Maybe it is because my instructor sort of molded his feelings about the "national registry" into me. However from what I learned from him is that its not even a national registry at all. It is some guy who owns his own independent company and chose to name it that. Granted it is used all over the U.S. but that doesn't make your cert with them any better than an MA cert. As a lot of people with their national registry blah blah like to think it is. Each state still has its individual protocols. You still need to go through whatever process you need to, to work in another state. Anyways what ever.

 

[Shishkabob]

I disagree. Maybe it is because my instructor sort of molded his feelings about the "national registry" into me. However from what I learned from him is that is not even a national registry at all. It is some guy who owns his own independent company and chose to name it that. Granted it is used all over the U.S. but that doesn't make your cert with them any better than an MA cert. As a lot of people with their national registry blah blah like to think it is. Each state still has its individual protocols. You still need to go through whatever process you need to, to work in another state. Anyways what ever.

Please do some research on the NREMT yourself instead of relying solely on the opinion of someone else as what you've been told, and as such just wrote, is wrong on multiple levels.



I'm not a fan of the NREMT myself, but I see the utility of it. Your instructor sounds like some bitter old EMT who didn't get a job with the NREMT that he wanted.

 

[DrankTheKoolaid]

I disagree. Maybe it is because my instructor sort of molded his feelings about the "national registry" into me. However from what I learned from him is that its not even a national registry at all. It is some guy who owns his own independent company and chose to name it that. Granted it is used all over the U.S. but that doesn't make your cert with them any better than an MA cert. As a lot of people with their national registry blah blah like to think it is. Each state still has its individual protocols. You still need to go through whatever process you need to, to work in another state. Anyways what ever.

You dont get a "cert" from NREMT. NREMT is attempting to create at least some form of uniformity among EMS education. Minimum standards in the application of (skills testing) and Minimum standards in theory and knowledge (cbt). They simply maintain a registry of people who have gone through EMS education programs that met the minimum standards to allow a student to take the NREMT examinations. If they pass those tests, testers are maintained in the registry as having passed minimum standards as set by the NREMT. See the flow there, registry....registered......

Now not everyone is a fan of the NREMT, but in the absence of another organization stepping up to try to create national standards they are the best we have.

 

[DrankTheKoolaid]

Also some employers may require it even if you already have a state license and local accred. If memory serves NREMT renewel requires more CE's then any state renewal. And not only that they make sure x amount of hours is instructor led so people cant just have someone else do their CE's for them via comp or whatever. As we already know many very well known fire departments were caught doing just that........
It also shows to prospective employers that you take your license seriously and go the extra mile to maintain it.

 

[Zeroo]

Please do some research on the NREMT yourself instead of relying solely on the opinion of someone else as what you've been told, and as such just wrote, is wrong on multiple levels.



I'm not a fan of the NREMT myself, but I see the utility of it. Your instructor sounds like some bitter old EMT who didn't get a job with the NREMT that he wanted.

Actually he wasn't bitter at all. One of the best teachers I have ever had and I respect him a lot. He was a firefighter medic. Gave up on that and started teaching high school classes and EMT-B classes. Anyways I am sure he knew what he was talking about. I didn't really pick up to much from him on the subject except the general dislike towards the company. Whatever though I like massachusetts system and hope it stays the same.

 

[Tigger]

Also some employers may require it even if you already have a state license and local accred. If memory serves NREMT renewel requires more CE's then any state renewal. And not only that they make sure x amount of hours is instructor led so people cant just have someone else do their CE's for them via comp or whatever. As we already know many very well known fire departments were caught doing just that........
It also shows to prospective employers that you take your license seriously and go the extra mile to maintain it.

I wish companies thought like that, but companies here do not think give you any sort of preferential hiring treatment for having it. It's more of a "oh, that's a pretty card." moment.

Also, while the NREMT requires more CE hours, they are pretty much done on the honor system for basics. I have all my hours documented, but unless I am audited, I do not have to show proof of going to any of these courses. I do however have to submit syllabi and certificates to Mass OEMS to get credit, which sucks but makes it harder for people to cheat (in theory).

 

[Tigger]

I disagree. Maybe it is because my instructor sort of molded his feelings about the "national registry" into me. However from what I learned from him is that its not even a national registry at all. It is some guy who owns his own independent company and chose to name it that. Granted it is used all over the U.S. but that doesn't make your cert with them any better than an MA cert. As a lot of people with their national registry blah blah like to think it is. Each state still has its individual protocols. You still need to go through whatever process you need to, to work in another state. Anyways what ever.

I'm confused as to what you are disagreeing with. You want to encourage agencies to make it more difficult for someone to try and keep a portable certification valid? That seems rather pointless.

Yes, the NREMT is a private company, but it's certification is recognized in the vast majority of the states.

Actually he wasn't bitter at all. One of the best teachers I have ever had and I respect him a lot. He was a firefighter medic. Gave up on that and started teaching high school classes and EMT-B classes. Anyways I am sure he knew what he was talking about. I didn't really pick up to much from him on the subject except the general dislike towards the company. Whatever though I like massachusetts system and hope it stays the same.

If you've never worked outside of MA how can you compare it to anything else? Let me be the first to tell you that MA OEMS leaves a lot to be desired in terms of licensing. Think of how much it actually cost you to get licensed in MA. The application was 150, the written test 70. You may have also had to pay for a background check or practical test depending on your program. In Colorado, I got my state license for 20 dollars by providing a copy of my NREMT card. The 20 was for an FBI background check that was needed since I have not lived in CO for 3 years yet. The fact that Massachusetts makes it so difficult for anyone licensed outside of the state to get an MA card just shows how difficult OEMS can be. And do not get me started on out of state con-ed credits, what a nightmare.

A lack of a universally accepted nationally portable certification is one of the many reasons that EMS has failed to advance itself within the healthcare world.

 

[medickat]

If you've never worked outside of MA how can you compare it to anything else? Let me be the first to tell you that MA OEMS leaves a lot to be desired in terms of licensing. Think of how much it actually cost you to get licensed in MA. The application was 150, the written test 70.

I have to agree, I had to apply for reciprocity here in MA based on my NJ cert and it took FOREVER, not to mention it was financially draining. $150 for the application, $100 for the PSI written test, and another $50 to get the people from NJ to sign the verification paperwork and send it out (don't get me started on that, NJ is a whole different story). They also lost my paperwork twice, and the last name on my card is misspelled (and I was basically told to deal with it until it expires). While MA OEMS is WORLDS better than NJ's, it still leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[Ewok Jerky]

Granted it is used all over the U.S. but that doesn't make your cert with them any better than an MA cert. As a lot of people with their national registry blah blah like to think it is.

It is better for people who don't live in MA.

Each state still has its individual protocols. You still need to go through whatever process you need to, to work in another state. Anyways what ever.

That is true, for example, in CA that process involves getting NR. anyways.

 

[Handsome Robb]

I'm with Linuss on this one. I'm not a huge fan of NR but I'm required to have it for initial certification and licensure in Nevada. Also I don't want to have to jump through hoops if I move. I see no reason to not carry an NREMT card unless you are positive that you won't be moving to a new state.

The idea behind NREMT is a good idea, the execution is where it doesn't work all that well.

That pricing is ridiculous in MA. I paid 10$ for my recert...a new cert is like 20-30$ and a copy of my NREMT card.