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AEMT Program Directors Enthusiastic About Voluntary Accreditation According to New CoAEMSP Survey
Data Show AEMT Program Directors are Familiar with Accreditation and its Benefits
Rowlett, TX – November 8, 2023 – Two-thirds of AEMT Program Directors (65%) believe voluntary accreditation for AEMT programs would potentially benefit their program, and 59% are likely to seek voluntary accreditation, according to a new survey of 293 AEMT Program Directors conducted by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) between September 19 and October 6, 2023. Half of the respondents (50%) are from CAAHEP accredited Paramedic programs, and more than three-quarters of respondents (78%) are familiar with accreditation.
“This survey represents the first real measure of interest in voluntary AEMT accreditation. The results indicate many AEMT Program Directors are both familiar with accreditation and its benefits and interested in seeking voluntary accreditation,” said Dr. George Hatch, Executive Director of CoAEMSP.
“We know that accreditation is essential to ensuring high-quality Paramedic education programs. We believe that providing those benefits to AEMT programs on a voluntary basis, beginning January 2025, will generate meaningful results. The survey results make clear that many AEMT Program Directors agree. They are ready to take that next step, and we are excited to work with them.”
Among survey respondents with an established goal for annual pass rates of the National Registry certification exam, 93% have a goal that 70% or more of exam takers pass the test. However, according to data from the National Registry, only 56% of AEMTs who voluntarily took the NREMT certification exam in 2022 passed the test the first time, and 69% passed within a cumulative three attempts. In contrast, among Paramedics, all of whom attended a CAAHEP accredited Paramedic education program in 2022, 71% passed the first test, and 85% passed within three cumulative attempts.
“Accreditation results in a reliable, consistent, and competent Paramedic workforce, which in turn enhances the safety and well-being of communities nationwide,” said Dr. Hatch. “Now we have an opportunity to bring the benefits to AEMT education programs on a voluntary basis. We are working closely with national EMS stakeholders to gather perspectives and recommendations on how best to implement this new option. Our hope is to respond to the high level of enthusiasm for accreditation with programs that advance our shared goal of advancing AEMT education nationwide.”
In May 2023, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) announced plans to launch a voluntary programmatic accreditation at the AEMT level by January 1, 2025, with accreditation services provided by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
CoAEMSP Survey of AEMT Program Directors Shows Enthusiasm for AEMT Voluntary Accreditation
CoAEMSP surveyed AEMT Program Directors between September 19 and October 6, 2023, regarding their potential interest in voluntary accreditation and received 293 completed surveys.
AEMT Program Directors are Enthusiastic Regarding Voluntary AEMT Accreditation
- Two-thirds of respondents (65%) believe voluntary accreditation for AEMT programs would potentially benefit their program, and 59% of respondents are likely to seek voluntary accreditation.
- Half of the respondents (50%) are from CAAHEP accredited Paramedic programs, and 65% of them are very or somewhat likely to pursue voluntary AEMT accreditation.
Will Voluntary Accreditation for AEMT Benefit Your Program?
Likeliness to Seek Voluntary Accreditation for AEMT
AEMT Program Directors are Familiar with Programmatic Accreditation and its Benefits
- More than three-quarters of respondents (78%) are familiar with accreditation, and 4 out of 5 respondents (83%) are familiar with CAAHEP or CoAEMSP.
Familiarity with Accreditation
Program Directors Identify Top Three Potential Benefits of Accreditation
- Establishes standards that ensure high-quality education (74%)
- Fosters continuous quality improvement of education programs (51%)
- Provides students confidence their program meets essential national standards (50%)
Goals for National Registry Pass Rates, Education Standards May Inform Interest in Voluntary Accreditation
- Among survey respondents with an established goal for annual pass rates of the National Registry certification exam, 93% have a goal that 70% or more of exam takers pass the test. However, according to data from the National Registry:
Only 56% of AEMTs who voluntarily took the NREMT certification exam in 2022 passed the test the first time, and 69% passed within a cumulative three attempts.
In contrast, among Paramedics, all of whom attended an accredited Paramedic education program in 2022, 71% passed the first test, and 85% passed within three cumulative attempts.
- Nearly all AEMT programs (90%) adhere to the National EMS Education Standards and Guidelines for AEMT, and 58% also follow a state mandated curriculum.
Barriers to Accreditation are Largely Process, not Program
When asked to identify multiple potential barriers that would prevent an AEMT Program Director from pursuing voluntary accreditation, the reasons cited were more likely to be administrative rather than programmatic, including cost (69%), time commitment (52%), and administrative requirements (51%). A minority of respondents cited a perceived lack of return on investment (42%) and an inability to meet accreditation standards (10%).
Background on Voluntary AEMT Accreditation
In May 2023, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) announced plans to launch a voluntary programmatic accreditation at the AEMT level by January 1, 2025, and the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) will provide the accreditation services. Visit the CoAEMSP website for more information.