OAR 333-265-0027: Transitional Paramedic License

(1) The Oregon Health Authority (Authority) may issue a Transitional Paramedic license to an individual who: (a) Submits an application in accordance with OAR 333-265-0025 and pays the applicable fee under OAR 333-265-0030; (b) Satisfies the requirements of OAR 333-265-0025(8)(a)(A), (B), and (D) and has a GED or high school diploma; (c) Is currently certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) as a Paramedic; and (d) Submits on a form prescribed by the Authority, information that demonstrates: (A) The applicant is sponsored by a licensed ambulance service in Oregon that will immediately employ or has conditionally offered employment, whether in a paid or volunteer capacity; (B) The sponsoring licensed ambulance service’s EMS medical director will serve as the applicant's EMS medical director while the applicant is licensed as a Transitional Paramedic; (C) The applicant agrees to obtain an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher learning within the time period specified in this rule; and (D) Any other information required by the Authority. (2) The Authority will review an application for a Transitional Paramedic license in accordance with OAR 333-265-0040. (3) A Transitional Paramedic licensee must obtain an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher learning and submit proof of the degree to the Authority within 48 months from the date of initial Transitional Paramedic licensure. (4) An initial Transitional Paramedic license is valid for no more than 24 consecutive months from the date the license was issued. (a) A Transitional Paramedic license may be renewed one time upon completion and Authority approval of a renewal application in accordance with OAR 333-265-0045. (b) The renewal application must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the expiration of the license. (c) A Transitional Paramedic must comply with the continuing education requirements for Paramedics under OAR 333-265-0110. (d) A Transitional Paramedic license is not eligible for reinstatement. (5) A Transitional Paramedic shall provide accurate annual progress reports, on a form prescribed by the Authority, to the Authority and the sponsoring licensed ambulance service, that identify the number of credits obtained during the year by the Transitional Paramedic from an accredited institution of higher learning and the number of credits remaining to obtain an associate degree or higher. (6) A Transitional Paramedic may only provide emergency and non-emergency care as allowed under the scope of practice specified under OAR 847-035-0030 while sponsored by a licensed ambulance service. A Transitional Paramedic that is separated from employment or otherwise no longer sponsored by the licensed ambulance service may not provide services until the Transitional Paramedic meets the requirements in section (1) of this rule. (7) The Authority may discipline, including suspend or revoke, a Transitional Paramedic license in accordance with OAR 333-265-0087 including for failure to comply with the provisions in this rule. (8) A Transitional Paramedic who wishes to revert to a lower-level license must: (a) Submit a new application for the license level sought in accordance with OAR 333-265-0025; and (b) Be currently certified by the NREMT. (c) A person registered with NREMT may request licensure at a lower level than their National Registry certification if the person has previously been certified by the National Registry at the level of licensure for which the person is applying. (d) A Transitional Paramedic who reverts to a lower-level license is not eligible for a new Transitional Paramedic license. (9) Notwithstanding sections (3) and (4) of this rule, the Authority may extend the time limit for a Transitional Paramedic to meet the requirements in OAR 333-265-0025(8)(a)(C) based on hardship status. (a) A Transitional Paramedic seeking a hardship status must submit a written request to the Authority, on a form prescribed by the Authority, no later than 30 days prior to the expiration of the renewed Transitional Paramedic license that includes the following information: (A) A detailed description of the hardship; (B) A current transcript of courses taken from an educational institution; and (C) The number of credits remaining to obtain an associate degree. (b) The Authority’s EMS Director or designee has the discretion to grant or deny a hardship status. (c) A hardship status is valid for no more than 12 months. (10) A Transitional Paramedic license may not exceed a total of 60 months from the date the initial Transitional Paramedic license was issued. There are no grace periods, extensions, waivers or exceptions for extending a Transitional Paramedic license beyond 60 months. (11) As used in this rule, “hardship status” means a status or condition that prevents a licensee from being able to work or take an online or in person education course.