New Mass certification SNAFU!!!!

[Wasteofdays]

So, I got a little overzealous when i passed the NREMT certification, and not realizing I still had to become licensed in Massachusetts to actually work, started applying all over the place. The problem is that I have a couple interviews but no physical license. I have fulfilled all the requirements but can't find info on how long it might take to get my working license. Long story short, what do I say to the interviewers? I'm pretty much licensed, I just don't have a license? Or it's only a matter of time?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[EMT B]

You are not licensed yet. It even says on the NREMT website that National Certification is not a license to practice. It most certainly is a pain in the butt, however I would say that your best bet is to call the State Office, and let them know you have your National Certification to see what the requirements are in terms of getting licensed in MA. I honestly don't think it is a bad idea that you have already gotten the ball rolling in terms of getting a job. When they ask just let them know that you are working on getting your state license.

 

[medicdan]

So, I got a little overzealous when i passed the NREMT certification, and not realizing I still had to become licensed in Massachusetts to actually work, started applying all over the place. The problem is that I have a couple interviews but no physical license. I have fulfilled all the requirements but can't find info on how long it might take to get my working license. Long story short, what do I say to the interviewers? I'm pretty much licensed, I just don't have a license? Or it's only a matter of time?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Didn't you have to note a mass cert # on employment applications? Did you not notice then something was awry? As others have said, NR notes in several places that you must obtain state certification... how do you think this makes you look to potential employers, missing a critical step in the certification process? If you were hiring, would you want someone who couldn't follow directions?

You should recognize that national registry certification does not equate an automatic Massachusetts license. OEMS reserves the right to do a CORI/SORI, investigate prior or separate health licenses, and look into educational history. It generally takes 2-3 weeks from submission to receipt of ma card, or request for more information.

In your followups to employment applications, be honest with employers regarding the status of your certification, and you should be okay.

Good luck!

 

[Wasteofdays]

I'm actually quite good at following directions, however GETTING any useful direction about the change that was made to the process proves to be quite difficult. I posted this hoping to get a little piece of mind, but I'm pretty sure I was passively aggressively called stupid. This isn't the easiest process to navigate completely on your own, since not a lot of people have actually gone through the process their is no one to ask. I don't know what I don't know. So I made the mistake of thinking my instructor knew what he was talking about when he laid this all out. Thanks for the good luck wishes.

 

[Tigger]

I'm actually quite good at following directions, however GETTING any useful direction about the change that was made to the process proves to be quite difficult. I posted this hoping to get a little piece of mind, but I'm pretty sure I was passively aggressively called stupid. This isn't the easiest process to navigate completely on your own, since not a lot of people have actually gone through the process their is no one to ask. I don't know what I don't know. So I made the mistake of thinking my instructor knew what he was talking about when he laid this all out. Thanks for the good luck wishes.

I'd hazard a guess that most people file their initial certification on their own. Dan is right, the NREMT makes it very clear that it's not a certification to practice, so not having that when you apply to jobs isn't going to set you apart in a positive way. Getting an EMT job is certainly not impossible, but it's important to be methodical about the process considering how many people you may be competing with.

If you have questions I'd simply call OEMS, you might have to wait on hold for a while but at least you'll get the right answer the first time.

 

[CFal]

it was much simpler before they used the NREMT, you walk in, take the test and that day you know if you passed or not immediately and were given your card right after passing.

 

[medicdan]

it was much simpler before they used the NREMT, you walk in, take the test and that day you know if you passed or not immediately and were given your card right after passing.

I understand your frustration, but respectfully disagree. Let me lay out the differences:

Under old system, finish course, and mandatory 4 week waiting period before practical for paperwork processing, then the practical exam, and another 4-6 weeks of waiting for results. If you passed, postcard with instructions to take written which often took another week to schedule. You're correct, if you passed that, you walk out with your MA cert, but this was after 9-13 weeks of waiting.

Under the "new" system, practical as soon as the next day following course completion, practical results same day, and you can take your written whenever you want after course completion, next day scheduling. Results take up to 2 business days, and OEMS processing 2-3 weeks. This is a total of less than a month, if you're disciplined with the process.

Newly minted EMTs actually come in an exciting time, with improved efficiency, but again, need to follow the stated procedure.

 

[CFal]

I was under the impression that the state still gave the practical exam, and I know all about the waits associated with OEMS.

 

[medicdan]

I was under the impression that the state still gave the practical exam, and I know all about the waits associated with OEMS.

The state still does "give" the practical. The chief examiner is representative of the department, examiners are hired by the educational institution.

 

[CFal]

The state still does "give" the practical. The chief examiner is representative of the department, examiners are hired by the educational institution.

sounds complicated, good thing I don't have to deal with it.