National Scope of Practice Model
Download Final Report
National EMS Scope of Practice Model (Report)
The New EMS Scope of Practice: Where Do States Stand? (Presentation)
Administration and Funding
Funded by NHTSA, the EMS Model Scope of Practice Project was administered by NASEMSO, which assembled an Administrative Team and a Technical Advisory Group:
The Administrative Team was responsible for the supervision of the various teams and committees, logistical planning and scheduling, financial management, media relations, writing, technical expertise, and coordination with NHTSA, MCHB, NASEMSD, and NCSEMSTC.
Executive Summary
The National EMS Scope of Practice Model is a continuation of the commitment of the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Health Resources and Services
Administration to the implementation of the EMS Agenda for the Future. It is part of an
integrated, interdependent system, first proposed in the EMS Education Agenda for the
Future: A Systems Approach which endeavors to maximize efficiency, consistency of
instructional quality, and student competence.
The National EMS Scope of Practice Model supports a system of EMS personnel
licensure that is common in other allied health professions and is a guide for States in
developing their Scope of Practice legislation, rules, and regulation. States following
the National EMS Scope of Practice Model as closely as possible will increase the
consistency of the nomenclature and competencies of EMS personnel nationwide,
facilitate reciprocity, improve professional mobility and enhance the name recognition
and public understanding of EMS.
The National EMS Scope of Practice Model defines and describes four levels of EMS
licensure: Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician
(EMT), Advanced EMT (AEMT), and Paramedic. Each level represents a unique role,
set of skills, and knowledge base. National EMS Education Standards will be developed
for each level. When used in conjunction with the National EMS Core Content, National
EMS Certification, and National EMS Education Program Accreditation, the National
EMS Scope of Practice Model and the National EMS Education Standards create a strong
and interdependent system that will provide the foundation to assure the competency of
out-of-hospital emergency medical personnel throughout the United States.
Introduction