NEW Specialist/AEMT and Limited Advanced Life Support (LALS) Agency Information

Although the level of licensure in Michigan will still be identified as a Specialist, a Specialist of the future will no longer be licensed to perform endotracheal intubations; instead, Specialists will perform supraglottic airway intubations.  In addition, the new Specialist will be trained in the administration of the following medications:

A. Albuterol                                                                                   H. Naloxone

B. Aspirin                                                                                      I. Nitroglycerin

C. Dextrose (50%)                                                                                   1. Paste

D. Epinephrine (Intramuscular or Subcutaneous)                                         2. Spray

E. Glucagon                                                                                            3. Tablets

F. Glucose                                                                                    J. Oxygen

G. Intravenous Fluids                                                                     K. Nitrous Oxide

                                1. Dextrose 5% in water

                                2. Normal Saline

                                3. Lactated Ringer's

In order to implement the new Specialist in Michigan, the Department has established the following:

• April 1, 2013 -- end date for our current Specialist and the beginning date for the new Specialist.
  • Effective March 31, 2013, the NREMT will no longer offer the current Specialist (I-85) exam.  However, effective February 28, 2013, the Department will no longer offer this exam.
• A 52 hour bridge course.
  • Approved to begin April 15, 2012
  • Begin offering the new Specialist (AEMT) exam September 2012
  • Bridge Courses will not extend beyond March 15, 2013
• New Initial Specialist Courses will begin being offered August 15, 2012

As a licensed Specialist, you have a choice. 

• Determine if you will take a bridge course and the NREMT AEMT exam,  OR 
• Drop to an EMT. 

If you wish to remain licensed as a Michigan Specialist beyond April 1, 2013, you will be required to complete the following steps:

1. Successfully complete a 52 hour EMT-S bridge course.  This course will focus on the administration of the medications. 
2. Successfully pass the NREMT AEMT cognitive (written) and psychomotor (practical) exams upon completion of the bridge course.
   
   • Specialist will have three attempts to successfully pass the exam.
   • Every effort should be made to complete the exam process by March 31, 2013.
   • Those Specialists that have not completed the process by March 31, 2013, will have to drop to the EMT level.  However, they will have the ability to continue the testing process (up to 3 attempts) until September 30, 2013.
3. Apply for state licensure - NO FEE.

New Specialist licenses will be issued beginning April 1, 2013. 

Any Specialist who chooses to not complete a bridge course will be required to downgrade their license to the EMT level.  This downgrade request must be accomplished by sending in a licensure application identifying that you are choosing to downgrade from the Specialist to the EMT. 

If a bridge course has not been completed by March 15, 2013, or a downgrade request has not been received by December 31, 2012, the Specialist license will automatically be downgraded to the level of EMT as of April 1, 2013.  No fee will be charged for this licensure change.

Also, for your information, the Department will be making revisions to the required equipment for Limited Advanced Life Support Services and updating the protocols to reflect the new Specialist level procedures.

4/1/13 Memo to ALL Limited Advanced Life Support Agencies (LALS) - Procedure to Downgrade License
11/16/12 Memo to ALL Michigan EMS Education Programs regarding Extension of EMT-S Bridge Courses
11/16/12 Specialist Downgrade/Upgrade Application for Licensure
7/16/12 Letter to ALL Michigan EMS Education Programs regarding EMT-S Bridge Course
6/14/12 Letter to ALL EMT-Specialists regarding future changes
EMT-Specialist Bridge Course required hours
Approved EMT-Specialist Bridge Courses as of 11/29/12
Sample Bridge Course Chit Sheet - identifies credits approved for course