EMS Compact

Terminology

Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)

  • an individual licensed with cognitive knowledge and a scope of practice that corresponds to that level in the National EMS Education Standards and National EMS Scope of Practice Model.

Adverse Action

  • any administrative, civil, equitable or criminal action permitted by a state’s laws which may be imposed against licensed EMS personnel by a state EMS authority or state court, including, but not limited to, actions against an individual’s license such as revocation, suspension, probation, consent agreement, monitoring or other limitation or encumbrance on the individual’s practice, letters of reprimand or admonition, fines, criminal convictions and state court judgments enforcing adverse actions by the state EMS authority.

Alternative Program

  • a voluntary, non-disciplinary substance abuse recovery program approved by a state EMS authority.

Certification

  • the successful verification of entry-level cognitive and psychomotor competency using a reliable, validated, and legally defensible examination.

Commission

  • the national administrative body of which all states that have enacted the compact are members.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

  • an individual licensed with cognitive knowledge and a scope of practice that corresponds to that level in the National EMS Education Standards and National EMS Scope of Practice Model.

Home State

  • a member state where an individual is licensed to practice emergency medical services.

License

  • the authorization by a state for an individual to practice as an EMT, AEMT, paramedic, or a level in between EMT and paramedic. (Note: Some states may call this a 'State Certification', however for the purposes of the EMS Compact a state certification is the same as a state license.)

Medical Director

  • a physician licensed in a member state who is accountable for the care delivered by EMS personnel.

Member State

  • a state that has enacted this compact.

National EMS ID Number

  • The EMS-ID is a unique 12-digit identification number (####-####-####) issued for free to all EMS professionals and students seeking to enter the profession. The EMS-ID number is automatically generated by the National Registry when an individual creates an account. The EMS-ID is randomly generated and the number does not contain any encoded data about the EMS professional. An individual's EMS-ID can be located by logging into your National Registry account (website), your Home State's licensure website, or by your state EMS office.  Additional information about the history of the EMS-ID is available here. 
  • If your EMS ID is not found in NEMSCD, check the status of your Home State's database integration status here.

Privilege to Practice

  • an individual’s authority to deliver emergency medical services in remote states as authorized under this compact.

Paramedic

  • an individual licensed with cognitive knowledge and a scope of practice that corresponds to that level in the National EMS Education Standards and National EMS Scope of Practice Model.

Remote State

  • a member state in which an individual is not licensed.

Restricted

  • the outcome of an adverse action that limits a license or the privilege to practice.

Rule

  • a written statement by the interstate Commission promulgated pursuant to Section 12 of this compact that is of general applicability; implements, interprets, or prescribes a policy or provision of the compact; or is an organizational, procedural, or practice requirement of the Commission and has the force and effect of statutory law in a member state and includes the amendment, repeal, or suspension of an existing rule.

Scope of Practice

  • defined parameters of various duties or services that may be provided by an individual with specific credentials. Whether regulated by rule, statute, or court decision, it tends to represent the limits of services an individual may perform.

Significant Investigatory Information

  • investigative information that a state EMS authority, after a preliminary inquiry that includes notification and an opportunity to respond if required by state law, has reason to believe, if proved true, would result in the imposition of an adverse action on a license or privilege to practice; or investigative information that indicates that the individual represents an immediate threat to public health and safety regardless of whether the individual has been notified and had an opportunity to respond.

State

  • means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States

State EMS Authority

  • the board, office, or other agency with the legislative mandate to license EMS personnel.