How to Become an EMT-Instructor

Virginia EMS Providers interested in becoming an EMT-Instructor should register with their Regional Council to sit for the EMT-Instructor pre-test exam at a Consolidated Test Site of their choosing.

In accordance with 12 VAC 5-31-1500, to become an EMT-Instructor in Virginia, the applicant must comply with the following:

If you meet the prerequisites, the next step would be to take the Instructor Pre-Test. Contact any Regional Council to schedule to take the Pre-Test at the next Consolidated Test Site (www.vaems.org).

The EMT-Instructor exam is based on a primary document:

1. Virginia EMS Education Standards (VEMSES) for the EMT Level (http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/OEMS/Files_page/Training/VEMSES-2010.pdf) which was modified from the National EMS Education Standards (NEMSES) for the EMT (http://www.ems.gov/pdf/811077a.pdf)

In addition, when studying for the exam, current providers will benefit from reviewing the Gap Analysis and Virginia Phoenix documents, which highlight the changes between the National Standard Curricula and the NEMSES/VEMSES:
(http://nasemso.org/EMSEducationImplementationPlanning/documents/2009NASEMSOGapAnalysisTemplate.pdf / http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/OEMS/Files_page/Training/PhoenixDocument-AllLevels.pdf)

When reviewing this document be sure to view the information under EMR as well, since frequently the NEMSES states "EMR Material PLUS:" To review more information in the content areas in the NEMSES, you can review three other documents:

1. EMT Instructor Guidelines (IG) to the NEMSES: (http://www.ems.gov/pdf/811077c.pdf) 
2. Virginia Scope of Practice Formulary and Procedure Documents:
   (http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/OEMS/Files_page/Training/ScopeOfPractice-Formulary.pdf & http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/OEMS/Files_page/Training/ScopeOfPractice-Procedures.pdf)
3. Atlantic EMS Council's Practice Analysis. The Practice Analysis is posted on the Virginia Office of EMS website. (http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/OEMS/Files_page/Training/PESPracticeAnalysis.pdf)

These documents list all areas that were utilized for question development. In order to be successful on the exam, the candidate should be familiar with the depth and breadth of the topics listed in the NEMSES.

The new written exam consists of multiple choice questions (155) and 5 essay questions. (200 possible points).

All qualified and endorsed Instructor Candidates who have passed the written Pre-Test are invited to a practical exam. Prior to the practical, you will need to supply the required Endorsement to the Office.

Qualified, endorsed Instructor Candidates are invited to the next Instructor Institute based on the location and number of slots available. Traditionally we hold three Institutes a year, one in the winter, summer and fall. The Institute is 5 days, Saturday through Wednesday. Providers who have current VDFP Instructor I or higher or a Masters Degree in Education may be exempt from some portions of the Institute. If you have these qualifications, please contact me for more information.

How long the process can take depends on where we are in our annual process as you begin your journey. You can see the deadlines to pass the written exam and dates/locations of the Institutes on our website: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/OEMS/Training/BLS_InstructorSchedule.htm.

The Office holds the winter Institute in metro Richmond, the summer Institute in conjunction with the VAVRS Rescue College at VA Tech and the fall Institute in metro Richmond. Practical exams are generally held in the same region as the upcoming Institute.

The only cost associated with the process is travel, food and lodging for the practical and time spent at the Institute. The amount varies depending on where we hold the Institute.