New Jersey Assembly Bill A4777

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/17/22
• Refer: 10/17/22

Caption

Streamlines certification standards for emergency medical technicians.

Impact

The changes proposed in A4777 could address the ongoing shortage of EMTs in New Jersey by lowering the entry barriers to this essential profession. The sponsors argue that the lengthy training requirements have discouraged many from pursuing a career as an EMT, thereby jeopardizing public health and safety. By aligning New Jersey's certification procedures with those of other states that have already streamlined their processes, A4777 intends to enhance the appeal of the EMT profession and ensure that communities can adequately respond to medical emergencies.

Summary

Assembly Bill A4777 seeks to streamline certification standards for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in New Jersey. The bill proposes that the combined total of academic coursework, clinical training, field experience, and any other instruction required for EMT-Basic certification should not exceed 90 hours. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that any additional certification requirements must not exceed 30 hours. This is a significant reduction from the current training requirements, which often exceed 190 hours, and is aimed at making the profession more accessible and appealing to potential candidates.

Contention

While supporters herald the bill as a necessary update to address workforce shortages, some opponents may voice concerns regarding the adequacy of training for those entering the field. Critics could argue that reducing training standards might compromise the quality of emergency medical services, potentially putting citizens' health at risk. Additionally, there may be discussions about the implications of certifying individuals based on equivalent military training, raising questions about how such standards are compared and validated against civilian certification requirements.