Kentucky Requirements

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The Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services requires that individuals applying for certification or licensure pass a board approved background check.

If this is your first time applying for Kentucky Certification or Licensure, you must submit a Viewpoint Screening background check. This includes all Initial, Reciprocity, and Reinstatement applications. Viewpoint Screening is the only board vendor for background checks. You may find a link to the KBEMS Specific Viewpoint Screening Website by clicking on the link below:

KY Board of EMS Viewpoint Screening Link

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)

The Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services uses the AOC background check in order to process renewal applications. No action is needed on your part to obtain a background check if you are applying for renewal. You may link to the AOC website here:

AOC Website

AOCFastCheck

AOCFastCheck is a new process that will greatly reduce the time required to provide criminal record reports. Through AOCFastCheck, you can submit requests for criminal record reports and receive an e-mail notification when the results are available.

If you have any questions about background checks, please contact KBEMS by using the Support Portal available on the home page.

Kentucky requires, by statue that any paramedic must have specific education and training in the determination of death. This means that you must have:

  • 1) Taken a Paramedic Course after July 15, 1998 that included instruction on determination of death
  • 2) Taken a 'Determination of Death' course from an Approved TEI in Kentucky
  • 3) Show proof of training and education from 202 KAR 7:401

KRS 311A.185 states:

  • (3) Any paramedic course taught after July 15, 1998, shall include a course of instruction on the determination of death and preservation of evidence as required by the board by administrative regulation.
  • (4) Any paramedic from another jurisdiction desiring to become a paramedic in Kentucky shall show evidence of successful completion of a training course in Kentucky meeting the requirements of subsection (3) of this section, and licensure as a paramedic shall be denied if the required evidence is not shown
  • Training of Paramedics in Determination of Death and Preservation of Evidence:

    • Full Regulation: 202 KAR 7:401
    • Section 14. Training of Paramedics in Determination of Death and Preservation of Evidence.
    • (1) The training program shall not be less than one (1) hour in length and, at a minimum, shall include:
    • (a) Information on and a copy of KRS 311A.170;
    • (b) Information on and a copy of 202 KAR 7:401;
    • (c) Information on and a copy of KRS 72.020;
    • (d) Information on and a copy of KRS 446.400;
    • (e) Information on the duties of and role of the coroner and state medical examiner; and
    • (f) Information on preservation of evidence at the scene of a death.
    • (2) The training shall be:
    • (a) Provided as part of a paramedic training course conducted by an approved EMS-TEI via:
    • 1. Classroom instruction;
    • 2. Video conferencing or other distance learning media; or
    • 3. Video taped presentation or computer based learning; and
    • (b) Conducted under the supervision of a medical director.
    • (3) The medical director of the ambulance service or EMS provider conducting the training shall request the coroner of the county in which the training is provided to attend and participate in the training.
    • (4) The EMS-TEI or the medical director providing the training shall maintain the following records:
    • (a) A copy of the course outline used in the training to verify that the training has been conducted in accordance with the requirements of this administrative regulation;
    • (b) A sign-in sheet with the printed and signed names and certification or license numbers and state of license of all paramedics who successfully completed the training, including the signature of the educator supervising the education program; and
    • (c) Curriculum vitae for each member of the course faculty.
    • (5) A certificate or letter of certification shall be provided to each participant in the program at the conclusion of the training.
    • (6) The KBEMS office shall maintain an approved curriculum that may be used by entities providing training specified by this administrative regulation.

    Online Determination of Death Courses:

    Bell County EMS Training Center 309 Cherry St. Pineville, KY 40977 Contact: Josh Peters at 606-337-6476 or bellcountyems@gmail.com Course Fee: $10.00 http://bellcountyems.wix.com/bcems

    Wayne County EMS Training Department Contact: Keith Widmeier at waynecountyemstraining@gmail.com Course Fee: $15.00 http://www.wcemstraining.com/education/

The Kentucky Revised Statute 311A.120 places Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) training requirements on EMS personnel. For more guidance see Educational Courses and Continuing Education on AIDS.

The board shall, by administrative regulation, require an applicant for licensure as a paramedic, certification as a first responder, or certification as an emergency medical technician to have completed a board-approved educational course on the transmission, control, treatment, and prevention of the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with an emphasis on appropriate behavior and attitude change.

HIV/AIDS Training

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services provides HIV/AIDS Continuing Education for Health Professionals. There are a number of classes available from a variety of providers around the state.

HIV/AIDS Training - FREE!

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services is pleased to announce the release of a free online HIV/AIDS module. This Web-based, self-paced study module discusses many facets of HIV/AIDS: medical aspects, epidemiology, transmission, prevention, treatment, OSHA and CDC recommendations, attitudes and behaviors, services available, reporting requirements and other legal issues. A post test is included to access the certificate of completion required by licensure boards. Course ID: 1093624 with the title HIV/AIDS Professional Education in KY... Making It Count - Online Module - 1093624.


If you go to the following website:

KY Train Website

Create a Free Account

Course ID: 1093624

Title: HIV/AIDS Professional Education in Kentucky...Making It Count-Online Module

In the 2010 Regular Session Kentucky Legislators enacted House Bill 285. This is an Act that amends or creates various provisions throughout Kentucky s statutory framework and through those amendments mandates training in recognition of pediatric abuse head trauma.


KRS 311A.120

KRS 311A.120 Educational course and continuing education for medical technicians and first responders. The board shall require continuing education for emergency medical technicians or first responders that includes the completion of one and one-half (1.5) hours of board approved continuing education covering the recognition and prevention of pediatric abusive head trauma, as defined in KRS 620.020, at least one (1) time every five (5) years. The one and one-half (1.5) hours required under this section shall be included in the current number of required continuing education hours.


KRS 311A.127

The board shall require continuing education for paramedics that includes the completion of one and one-half (1.5) hours of board approved continuing education covering the recognition and prevention of pediatric abusive head trauma, as defined in KRS 620.020, at least one (1) time every five (5) years. The one and one-half (1.5) hours required under this section shall be included in the current number of required continuing education hours.


PAHT Training:

Only KBEMS approved courses will be accepted for the completion of this requirement. In support of this requirement, the Kentucky EMS for Children program is offering continuing education opportunities throughout the commonwealth. In addition to general provider courses, there will also be a Train-the-Trainer option available. Please see the Events Calendar for additional information.

Effective December 31, 2015 all emergency medical responders must maintain documentation of completion of a KBEMS approved PAHT course that is less than five years old.

If you have questions regarding a particular course please contact Morgan Scaggs, EMS-C Program Manager to verify approval.