ARTICLE 20:61
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL
Chapter
20:61:01 Licensure and certification.
20:61:02 Critical care endorsement.
20:61:03 Continuing education.
Declaratory Ruling: Declaratory Ruling of the Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners dated September 21, 1994, was vacated by the Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners by order of the board dated March 30, 2015.
CHAPTER 20:61:01
LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION
Section
20:61:01:01 Meaning of terms.
20:61:01:02 Application for license and certification.
20:61:01:03 Required contents of applications for licensure.
20:61:01:04 Medical supervision agreement.
20:61:01:05 Application for reciprocity.
20:61:01:06 Application based on examination.
20:61:01:07 Application for approval of educational programs.
20:61:01:08 Testing team, Repealed.
20:61:01:09 Required contents of applications for ambulance driver certification.
20:61:01:10 Ambulance driver certification renewal.
20:61:01:11 Fees.
20:61:01:12 Emergency medical services personnel allowable skills and techniques.
20:61:01:02. Application for license and certification. Any person seeking any emergency medical services personnel license or ambulance driver certification in South Dakota shall apply to the board on applications provided by the board.
Source: 5 SDR 68, effective February 15, 1979; 12 SDR 151, 12 SDR 155, effective July 1, 1986; 48 SDR 108, effective May 4, 2022; 51 SDR 56, effective November 19, 2024.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-13(2), 36-4B-41(2).
20:61:01:03. Required contents of applications for licensure. An application for an emergency medical services personnel license must contain:
(1) An affidavit, with a photograph of the applicant attached, attesting to the applicant's qualifications required by SDCL chapter 36-4B and this chapter;
(2) A list of all states in which the applicant is or has at any time been licensed to perform any type of emergency medical services;
(3) A list of all places where the applicant has previously provided emergency medical services;
(4) A signed statement listing any criminal offense for which the applicant has been convicted; and
(5) The dates and locations of all schooling relating to emergency medical services.
Source: 5 SDR 68, effective February 15, 1979; 12 SDR 151, 12 SDR 155, effective July 1, 1986; 51 SDR 56, effective November 19, 2024.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-13.
20:61:01:04. Medical supervision agreement. An applicant shall file with the application for an emergency medical services personnel license:
(1) An agreement with the physician who will supervise, observe, direct, and review the applicant's work record and practice; and
(2) A statement from the physician attesting that the physician assumes the responsibility to supervise, observe, direct, and review the applicant's work record and practice.
Applicants affiliated with an ambulance service that has been granted a hardship exemption in accordance with SDCL 34-11-12.2 may file the required agreement and statement from a physician assistant or nurse practitioner serving as the program director of the ambulance service.
Source: 5 SDR 68, effective February 15, 1979; 12 SDR 151, 12 SDR 155, effective July 1, 1986; 51 SDR 56, effective November 19, 2024.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-15.
20:61:01:05. Application for reciprocity. If the application is for an emergency medical services personnel license through reciprocity, the applicant must submit an active and unrestricted emergency medical services personnel license or certificate of endorsement from another state in addition to the documentation required in §§ 20:61:01:03 and 20:61:01:04.
Source: 5 SDR 68, effective February 15, 1979; 12 SDR 151, 12 SDR 155, effective July 1, 1986; 51 SDR 56, effective November 19, 2024.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-14.
20:61:01:06. Application based on examination. The applicants taking examinations shall be examined as to proficiency in the areas of knowledge required in SDCL 36-4B-13.
Source: 5 SDR 68, effective February 15, 1979; 12 SDR 151, 12 SDR 155, effective July 1, 1986.
General Authority:SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented:SDCL 36-4B-13.
20:61:01:07. Application for approval of educational programs. Before the board may approve an educational program, the program must submit an application that provides:
(1) The level of emergency medical services training provided by the program;
(2) The names of each instructor employed by the program;
(3) A list of the subjects each instructor will teach;
(4) The name of at least one physician experienced in pre-hospital emergency care who will be on each instructor's staff;
(5) The time and place where instruction will be given;
(6) An outline for each course offered by the program;
(7) The name and professional title of the program's medical director;
(8) The name and professional title of the program's course coordinator;
(9) The name and professional title of the program's clinical supervisor; and
(10) Documentation that:
(a) Each instructor holds at least the level of licensure required for the emergency medical services being taught by the instructor;
(b) Each course offered by the program meets the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) standard requirements; and
(c) Each student accepted to the program meets the NREMT criteria.
Source: 5 SDR 68, effective February 15, 1979; 12 SDR 151, 12 SDR 155, effective July 1, 1986; 51 SDR 56, effective November 19, 2024.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-7.
20:61:01:08. Testing team. Repealed.
Source: 5 SDR 68, effective February 15, 1979; 12 SDR 151, 12 SDR 155, effective July 1, 1986; 51 SDR 56, effective November 19, 2024.
20:61:01:09. Required contents of applications for ambulance driver certification. An application for an ambulance driver certification must contain:
(1) An affidavit, with a photograph of the applicant attached, attesting to the applicant's qualifications required by SDCL chapter 36-4B and this chapter;
(2) The dates and locations where the following ambulance driver competency trainings were completed:
(a) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
(b) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act awareness;
(c) Infection control;
(d) Patient movement;
(e) Equipment and communication system knowledge; and
(f) Emergency vehicles operation course;
(3) A signed statement listing any criminal offenses for which the applicant has been convicted; and
(4) Proof of a valid driver's license.
Source: 51 SDR 56, effective November 19, 2024.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-41.
20:61:01:10. Ambulance driver certification renewal. An ambulance driver certified by the board shall renew the certification biennially by April thirtieth in even years on a form approved by the board. The certified ambulance driver shall sign a statement confirming that the certified ambulance driver holds a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification and valid driver's license. The certified ambulance driver must present proof of the current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification and valid driver's license if requested by the board.
Source: 51 SDR 56, effective November 19, 2024.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-31, 36-4B-41.
20:61:01:11. Fees. The application fees for emergency medical services personnel licensure
are:
(1) Initial licensure:
(a) Emergency medical responder, zero dollars;
(b) Emergency medical technician, zero dollars;
(c) Emergency medical technician-intermediate/85, fifty dollars;
(d) Emergency medical technician-intermediate/99, fifty dollars;
(e) Advanced emergency medical technician, fifty dollars; and
(f) Paramedic, fifty dollars;
(2) Licensure by reciprocity:
(a) Emergency medical responder, zero dollars;
(b) Emergency medical technician, zero dollars;
(c) Emergency medical technician-intermediate/85, seventy-five dollars;
(d) Emergency medical technician-intermediate/99, seventy-five dollars;
(e) Advanced emergency medical technician, seventy-five dollars; and
(f) Paramedic, seventy-five dollars;
(3) Licensure renewal:
(a) Emergency medical responder, zero dollars;
(b) Emergency medical technician, zero dollars;
(c) Emergency medical technician-intermediate/85, fifty dollars;
(d) Emergency medical technician-intermediate/99, fifty dollars;
(e) Advanced emergency medical technician, fifty dollars; and
(f) Paramedic, fifty dollars;
(4) Reissuance of a lost or destroyed license, ten dollars; and
(5) Reinstatement of lapsed license, one hundred dollars.
Source: 51 SDR 56, effective November 19, 2024.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-29.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-2.
20:61:01:12. Emergency medical services personnel allowable skills and techniques. The allowable skills and techniques for all levels of emergency medical services personnel are contained in the South Dakota Scope of Practice Guide for Emergency Medical Services Personnel, revised June 20, 2024. The board shall review at least annually.
Source: 51 SDR 56, effective November 19, 2024.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-16 to 36-4B-16.2, inclusive, 36-4B-17.
Collateral Reference: South Dakota Scope of Practice Guide for Emergency Medical Services Personnel, revised June 20, 2024. South Dakota Department of Health. Copies may be obtained free of charge at https://www.sdbmoe.gov/professions-emergency-medical-services/.
CHAPTER 20:61:02
CRITICAL CARE ENDORSEMENT
Section
20:61:02:01 Definitions.
20:61:02:02 Educational requirements -- Subjects covered.
20:61:02:03 Educational requirements -- Structure.
20:61:02:04 Educational requirements -- Proof of completion.
20:61:02:01. Definitions. Terms defined in SDCL chapter 36-4B have the same meaning when used in this chapter.
Source: 50 SDR 12, effective August 10, 2023.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-1, 36-4B-18.1.
20:61:02:02. Educational requirements -- Subjects covered. The board shall approve a program of study for a critical care or flight paramedic that focuses on providing patient care in the pre-hospital, inter-hospital, and hospital settings. The program must include courses on:
(1) Critical care transport methods and safety;
(2) Assessing and packaging a critically ill patient for safe transport;
(3) Demonstrating skill competencies while performing:
(a) Surgical and needle cricothyrotomy;
(b) Chest tube insertion;
(c) Pericardiocentesis;
(d) Central venous access; and
(e) Focused assessment with sonography for trauma exams and intraosseous access;
(4) Analyzing and interpreting diagnostic laboratory and x-ray results;
(5) Identifying and managing blood and blood products and the following common critical care medications:
(a) Antibiotic;
(b) Anticoagulant;
(c) Antiepileptic;
(d) Immunological;
(e) Vasoactive; and
(f) Fibrinolytic;
(6) Interpreting invasive and noninvasive hemodynamic pressures, waveforms, and values;
(7) Maintaining patients on an intra-aorta balloon pump and left ventricular assist device in a transport setting;
(8) Understanding the purpose and maintenance of
(a) Chest tubes;
(b) Central lines;
(c) Intravenous pumps;
(d) Medication pumps; and
(e) Hemodynamic monitoring devices and equipment;
(9) Recognizing proper mechanical ventilator settings, modes, and parameters;
(10) Applying a ventilator with proper settings; and
(11) Assessing and managing common critical care conditions in all patient populations.
Source: 50 SDR 12, effective August 10, 2023; 51 SDR 56, effective November 19, 2024.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-18.1.
20:61:02:03. Educational requirements -- Structure. In addition to the requirements in § 20:61:02:02, the program of study must be either an in-person course or a combination of online and in-person instructor facilitated lectures. An in-person course must have a minimum of thirty-six hours of instruction. A blended course must have a minimum of twenty-two hours of in-person instruction. The course or program must have a written examination at the conclusion of the program to prove competency.
Source: 50 SDR 12, effective August 10, 2023.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-18.1.
20:61:02:04. Educational requirements -- Proof of completion. Before a paramedic may be issued a critical care endorsement, the paramedic must provide documentation to the board, showing that the paramedic has successfully completed a board-approved program of study.
Source: 50 SDR 12, effective August 10, 2023; 51 SDR 56, effective November 19, 2024.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-18.1.
CHAPTER 20:61:03
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Section
20:61:03:01 Continuing education requirements.
20:61:03:02 Reporting continuing education.
20:61:03:03 Waiver of continuing education requirements.
20:61:03:01. Continuing education requirements. To qualify for renewal of a license, an applicant for renewal must maintain current certification with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians or complete the number of continuing education hours required for the type of licensure the applicant holds, as follows:
(1) Emergency medical responder, eight hours in basic life support studies;
(2) Emergency medical technician, twenty hours in basic life support studies;
(3) Emergency medical technician-intermediate/85, forty hours in advanced life support studies;
(4) Emergency medical technician-intermediate/99, sixty hours in advanced life support studies;
(5) Advanced emergency medical technician, forty hours in advanced life support studies; or
(6) Paramedic, sixty hours in advanced life support studies.
Source: 51 SDR 56, effective November 19, 2024.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-26.
20:61:03:02. Reporting continuing education. Each applicant for an emergency medical services personnel license shall submit a signed statement confirming the applicant's current certification by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians or completion of the continuing education hours, pursuant to § 20:61:03:01, along with the renewal application. The applicant must present proof of the applicant's current certification or completion of the required number of continuing education hours if requested by the board.
Source: 51 SDR 56. effective November 19, 2024.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-26.
20:61:03:03. Waiver of continuing education requirements. The board may waive any required continuing education hours if the applicant submits an affidavit to the board that the applicant was prevented from completing the continuing education hours because of illness or undue hardship.
Source: 51 SDR 56, effective November 19, 2024.
General Authority: SDCL 36-4B-35.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-4B-26.
