My certification expires ------- . When should I take the refresher?

If your certification expires within 9 months, you should enroll in a refresher course immediately.

We often receive calls from EMTs whose certification is on the verge of expiring. They typically plead with us to help them. Unfortunately, due to course schedules and state written exam dates it's not always possible. As a result, we encounter too many EMTs who cannot work because their certification has lapsed.

Under present NYS-DOH regulations, once your certification expires you may not work or volunteer as an EMT until you hold a new, valid EMT card. Furthermore, there is no grace period. The only time you are allowed any sort of grace period is if you take the state written certification exam during the month in which your certification will expire; in this case, you may work or volunteer as an EMT until you receive your new certification card.

Please watch your expiration date carefully. You can take your state written certification exam up to 9 months before your card expires. Your new certification card will have up to 9 months of remaining time from your old card added to it. This in effect allows you to enroll in a refresher at least 10 months before your card expires and retain any remaining time from your old card. More importantly, it ensures that there is no lapse in your certification or in your ability to work/volunteer.