Recognition of EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate CompAct explained

The Recognition of EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate CompAct, also known as REPLICA, is an interstate compact that extends a "privilege to practice" in the United States from a 'home state' to 'remote states' for qualified Emergency Medical Services personnel. For a state to participate in the compact, a state must pass the model legislation into law. On October 11, 2017, when Georgia signed the REPLICA legislation into law, the EMS Compact was formalized and the Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice was established. ^[1]

Participating states

• Colorado^[2]
• Texas^[3]
• Virginia^[4]
• Idaho^[5]
• Utah^[6]
• Kansas^[7]
• Tennessee^[8]
• Wyoming^[9]
• Georgia^[10]
• Alabama^[11]
• Delaware^[12]
• Iowa^[13]
• Mississippi^[14]
• Missouri^[15]
• Nebraska^[16]
• South Dakota
• North Dakota ^[17]
• South Carolina ^[18]
• West Virginia ^[19]
• Indiana ^[20]

Requirements

For states

• Pass the REPLICA model legislation
• Utilize the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) examination as a condition of issuing initial licenses at the EMT and Paramedic levels
• Within five years of passing the legislation, utilize a fingerprint or biometric background check that is compliant with the FBI requirement

For personnel

A qualified EMS personnel must:

• Be licensed in good standing in a home state as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced EMT (AEMT), a Paramedic, or a level in between EMT and Paramedic^[21]
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must practice under the supervision of a physician medical director

History

Early history

In 2012, EMS leaders recognized the need for qualified EMS personnel to respond across state lines in both day-to-day duties, in non-Governor level declared disaster situations, and planned large-scale events, and the requirement for state EMS licensing authorities to better share licensure information. In 2013 a National Advisory Panel held multiple meetings conceptualize the solution.

On the recommendation of the National Advisory Panel, a draft team was formed in mid-2013 to draft the model legislation.^[22] The twelve member drafting team included:

• Five members from National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO)
• The Council of State Government, (CSG) National Center for Interstate Compacts (NCIC)
• Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS)
• International Association of Flight and Critical Care Paramedics (IAFCC)
• International Association of Firefighters (IAFF)
• National EMS Management Association (NEMSA)
• National Association of EMT’s (NAEMT)
• Vedder Price (legal counsel)

On 7 September 2017, the National EMS Advisory Council passed a Final Advisory in support of the Recognition of Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate CompAct.^[23]

Early Activation

The EMS Personnel Licensure Compact was originally scheduled to become active on July 1, 2020. However, with so many emergency services personnel taken out of action by quarantines associated with the COVID-19 outbreak, the decision was made to go live on March 16, 2020. Interstate Commission Chairman Joe Schmider reported that this type of emergency was what the EMS Compact was developed to accommodate. ^[24]

Supporting associations and organizations^[25]

• American Ambulance Association^[26]
• Association of Air Medical Services
• Association of Critical Care Transport
• Council Of State Governments^[27]
• International Association of Fire Chiefs^[28]
• National Association of EMS Educators
• National Association of EMS Physicians
• National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
• National Association of State EMS Officials^[29]
• National EMS Management Association
• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians^[30]
• National Volunteer Fire Council

Notes and References

1. Web site: EMS Compact Member States & Commissioners. 2017-10-11. EMS Compact. 2020-02-17.
2. Web site: Colorado HOUSE BILL 15-1015. 2015-05-08. Colorado Legislature. 2017-03-07.
3. Web site: 84(R) HB 2498 - Enrolled version - Bill Text. www.legis.state.tx.us. 2017-03-08.
4. Web site: Bill Tracking - 2016 session > Legislation. lis.virginia.gov. 2017-03-08.
5. Web site: SENATE BILL 1281 – Idaho State Legislature. legislature.idaho.gov. en-US. 2017-03-08.
6. Web site: HB0100. le.utah.gov. en. 2017-03-08.
7. Web site: SB 225 Bills and Resolutions Kansas State Legislature. www.kslegislature.org. en. 2017-03-08.
8. Web site: Tennessee HOUSE BILL NO. 1888. 2017-03-07. Tennessee Legislature. 2017-03-07.
9. Web site: Wyoming HB107. Wyoming Legislature. 2017-03-07.
10. Web site: Georgia SB109. Georgia Legislature. 2020-02-17.
11. Web site: Alabama HB250. Alabama Legislature. 2020-02-17.
12. Web site: Delaware SB35. Delaware Legislature. 2020-02-17.
13. Web site: Iowa Legislature - BillBook. 2021-11-03. www.legis.iowa.gov.
14. Web site: Mississippi SB2828. Mississippi Legislature. 2020-02-17.
15. Web site: Missouri SB870. Missouri Legislature. 2020-02-17.
16. Web site: Nebraska LB1034. Nebraska Legislature. 2020-02-17.
17. Web site: North Dakota HB1337. North Dakota Century Code. 2021-11-17.
18. Web site: South Carolina HB4486. South Carolina Legislature. 2020-02-17.
19. Web site: West Virginia HB4179. West Virginia Legislature Legislature. 2020-04-03.
20. Web site: Indiana Joins the EMS Compact. EMS Compact. 2020-04-03.
21. Web site: REPLICA and EMS Personnel REPLICA. www.emsreplica.org. en. 2017-03-08.
22. Web site: EMS Drafting Team to Meet for Third Time CSG Knowledge Center. knowledgecenter.csg.org. en. 2017-03-08.
23. Web site: National EMS Advisory Council Advisory. NEMSAC. 2017-03-08.
24. Web site: EMS Compact declared operational. EMS1. 2020-04-03.
25. Web site: Supporting National Associations and Organizations REPLICA. www.emsreplica.org. en. 2017-03-08.
26. News: Recognition of EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Project American Ambulance Association. 2015-03-27. American Ambulance Association. 2017-03-08. en-US.
27. Web site: Resolution in Support of the Recognition of EMS Personnel Licensure Compact (REPLICA) CSG Knowledge Center. knowledgecenter.csg.org. en. 2017-03-08.
28. Web site: Emergency Medical Services: REPLICA. www.iafc.org. 2017-03-08.
29. Web site: The National Association of State EMS Officials. www.nasemso.org. 2017-03-08.
30. News: National Registry of EMTs. National Registry of EMTs. 2017-03-08.