{"id":20232,"date":"2021-07-19T11:38:35","date_gmt":"2021-07-19T15:38:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/emergency-medical-services\/?page_id=20232"},"modified":"2026-04-15T16:51:39","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T20:51:39","slug":"challenge-steps-to-gain-certification","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/emergency-medical-services\/education-certification\/provider-resources\/recertifying-your-virginia-ems-credential\/challenge-steps-to-gain-certification\/","title":{"rendered":"Challenge – Steps to Gain Certification"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Upon notification that your Application to Challenge<\/em> has been approved, the Office of EMS will assign you an alpha-numeric Virginia EMS number.\u00a0 Once you receive your verification by e-mail that your Application to Challenge<\/em> has been approved, you can begin acquiring the required 40 hours<\/a> using the assigned number--with the letter B in front of the number <\/strong><\/span>--to submit the training hours to our office. The process for completing your CE hours is described below.<\/p>\n

You are required to complete all CE hours and successfully pass the National Registry cognitive and Virginia psychomotor exam before the expiration date of your Challenge request.\u00a0 To learn more about the challenge process, including the NREMT certification examination , please click on one of the panels below to view the detailed content.<\/p>\n

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    IMPORTANT NOTE:\u00a0 If you do not complete the process and certify before the end of your eligibility, you will be required to complete a new application and begin the process again.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEarning Required Continuing Education Hours\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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    Earning Required Continuing Education Hours<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    1. CE requirements can be found on the OEMS website at: https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2020\/09\/TR-57-Virginia-Recertification-Requirements.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n
    2. Most of the CE hours are available online through any of the approved online vendors. Information on taking online courses in Virginia can be found here: http:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/emergency-medical-services\/education-certification\/provider-resources\/web-based-continuing-education\/<\/a>.<\/li>\n
    3. Courses are offered in a number of locations around your area and through a number of sources. The best way to locate courses would be through our website: https:\/\/vdhems.vdh.virginia.gov\/emsapps\/CourseSearch.html<\/a>. All announced courses, which are open, are listed on our website, usually > 30 days before the start date. You should contact the phone number listed to discuss specifics about the course including days\/nights of class and to obtain a syllabus.<\/li>\n
    4. You may also want to contact the Regional EMS Council in your area. You can locate your Regional Council by going to their website and clicking on your area: vaems.org.<\/a> They may know of courses planned in your area that have yet to be announced through our Office.<\/li>\n
    5. You can complete all required CE hours either one at a time online or by attending an EMT course.<\/li>\n
    6. Once you have completed all 40 hours and submitted them to our Office, an Eligibility Letter to test will post to your Portal. Follow the enclosed Instructions on how to set up your Psychomotor and Cognitive exams.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVirginia EMS Portal Access\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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      Virginia EMS Portal Access<\/strong><\/p>\n

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      1. You will receive an automated e-mail from Virginia EMS Portal making you aware of your assigned Virginia EMS number.<\/li>\n
      2. Additional e-mail messages will be generated from the Virginia EMS Portal.\n
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        1. A message will be sent to your e-mail address on file with a temporary password. You should log in as soon as possible so you can track your progress toward completing the required continuing education hours.<\/li>\n
        2. Upon gaining eligibility, you will receive a notification that your Eligibility Letter is available in the portal.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Virginia EMS App<\/strong><\/p>\n

          You are strong encouraged to download and make use of the Office of EMS mobile app.\u00a0 The app has many features to assist Virginia providers with maintaining their certification.\u00a0 The app is free to download and use.\u00a0 A Quick Guide for the app can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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          For EMS Providers, you can have:<\/strong><\/p>\n