Committee on Accreditation
of Educational Programs for the
Emergency Medical Services Professions
     
 
 
 
 
Becoming Accredited

Introduction

Accredited Paramedic programs are sponsored by colleges, universities, hospitals, clinics, medical centers, U.S. armed forces, governmental educational or medical services, and by consortium.  Programs can vary in length and must include an appropriate sequence of classroom, laboratory, hospital, and field internship activities.

The review of programs seeking accreditation is based on the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for Educational Programs in the Emergency Medical Services Professions.

Programs request accreditation services by filing the CAAHEP Request for Accreditation Services.  Programs then demonstrate the degree to which they meet the Standards through a two-part comprehensive evaluation that includes a written Initial-Accreditation Self Study Report (ISSR) and an on-site review.  Upon completion of the comprehensive evaluation, the CoAEMSP formulates a status of public recognition recommendation that is forwarded to CAAHEP, which awards the accreditation for Paramedic programs that meet the Standards.

Wondering about accreditation? Read the candid perspectives of program directors. [pdf 798KB]
Know the facts about Paramedic program accreditation. [pdf 37KB]
Refer to the CoAEMSP accreditation Resource Packet. [pdf 444KB]
Read the Frequently Asked Questions about accreditation facts and what accreditation means to EMS.
Consult the CAAHEP Accreditation Manual. (this link goes to the CAAHEP web site)
Read how to make college credit available to Paramedic graduates with an articulation agreement.

See the SAMPLE completed accreditation documents.

Register for an accreditation workshop:
August 20-21 San Antonio or October 28-29 Atlanta

For additional information or assistance with the new format, contact:

Bill Goding
bill@coaemsp.org
817.330.0080 Ext. 113

Expert Perspectives on National Accreditation of Paramedic Educational Programs
David Becker, MA, EMT-P; EMS Program Director, Sanford Brown College, Fenton, MO
National Accreditation Helps Fire Services Hire More Competent Paramedics (4:07)
Ritu Sahni, MD, FACEP; Oregon State Medical Director; Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
National Accreditation and State Accreditation: Protecting and Serving the Public (4:28)
Walt Stoy, PhD, EMT-P, CCEMT-P; Professor and Program Director, Emergency Medicine Program, University of Pittsburgh
How National Accreditation Strengthens And Supports Educational Programs (4:49)
Patricia Tritt, RN, MA; Director, EMS and Trauma, Health One EMS, Englewood, CO
National Accreditation: Why and How (4:53)