UWA’s EMS program earns top marks in ADPH certification

Curriculum earns top approval from ADPH; courses are also offered to the public for non-credit

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program at UWA has earned accreditation by the Alabama Department of Public Health. Garnering top marks, this accreditation helps ensure that licensure courses offered on campus meet the highest standards and provide exceptional training. 

UWA, the only program in the state to boast a 100 percent pass rate on the National Registry Exam. The accreditation process includes an application phase and a site visit.

Livingston Fire & Rescue Chief Kevin Brunson has been instrumental in leading and conducting this effort with UWA,” said Dr. R.T. Floyd, chair of the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance. “He has made a huge difference in our efforts, and this accreditation would not have been possible without his commitment. The 100 percent pass rate on the National Registry Exam is evidence of his support.”

The accreditation process is based on national guidelines to ensure that successful EMS education curriculum completion will allow the student to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam with a reasonable expectation of passing.

UWA offers basic emergency medical technician courses that, when taken together, meet or exceed the U.S. Department of Transportation National EMS Education Standards for the Basic Emergency Medical Technician. They also meet the requirements necessary to sit for the NREMT Examination.

Alabama requires completion of the NREMT testing process for licensure for EMT. Successful completion of the courses, whether non-credit or for credit provides examination and licensure eligibility. Courses include EMS 200 Basic Emergency Care, EMS 205 Basic Emergency Clinical Internship, and EMS 206 Basic Skills Laboratory.

UWA students may take the courses for credit at the regular tuition cost. Courses are offered to the public for non-credit. Non-credit tuition for the entire program is $700, payable at the first class meeting, and does not include the cost of textbooks.  Required textbooks are available through the UWA Bookstore. 

In accordance with the 2019 Alabama Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Rules (Section 420-2-1-.32 Education Standards and Procedures), all institutions conducting classes for the purposes of EMS education must be accredited by the Office of EMS (OEMS).

For more information on UWA’s EMS program, contact Dr. R.T. Floyd at rtf@uwa.edu or 205-652-3714.