Alternate Route to Maintenance of Licensure

The Alternate Route to Maintenance of Licensure provides EMS personnel with an alternative to the licensing examination.

Licenses are issued for a three year term. Personnel must either complete 3 years of the Alternate Route program or 60 days prior to license expiry, access the licensing exam.

The Alternate Route program is a three year cycle and the annual requirements must be met on a consecutive yearly basis 30 days prior to license expiry. Personnel can only opt into the program in the first year after becoming licensed, and must complete all three years prior to their license expiry.

Personnel currently licensed and enrolled in the Alternate Route program must provide proof of at least 1 year’s program completion of the 3 year cycle prior to their anniversary date, up to July 31, 2007. EMS personnel will have a license issued on a yearly basis, as required, until completion of the three year cycle at which time a 3 year license will be issued.

Each calendar year, a random sample of up to 10% of EMS personnel who have completed their maintenance of licensure activities in the previous year may be required to validate their reports of participation to Manitoba Health Emergency Medical Services.

Each calendar year, a random sample of up to 10% of EMS personnel who have completed their maintenance of licensure activities in the previous year may be required to participate in a written and / or practical evaluation of core competency elements. The evaluations will be carried out by Manitoba Health Emergency Medical Services, and may directly impact on an individual EMS personnel’s license.

It is the responsibility of EMS personnel to ensure an accurate and up-to-date record of all alternate program components.

Please click on the items below for additional information and forms associated with the Alternate Route program:

Personnel must ensure proof of attendance at an event is kept on file in their EMS personnel portfolio.

Question: How will the Alternate Route program work for currently licensed personnel, as of April 1, 2006?

Answer: Personnel currently licensed and enrolled in the Alternate Route program must provide proof of at least 1 year’s program completion of the 3 year cycle prior to their anniversary date, up until July 31, 2007. Personnel will have a license issued on a yearly basis, as required, until completion of the three year cycle at which time a 3 year license will be issued.

Example 1: EMS personnel currently holds a license with a July 31, 2006 expiry and submit proof of completion of the 1st year of the 3 year Alternate Route program cycle 30 days prior to expiry. This personnel will receive a license with a July 31, 2007 expiry. The personnel submits the 2nd year Alternate Route requirements 30 days prior to their license expiry and a license is issued with an expiry of July 31, 2008. Upon submission of the 3rd year Alternate Route program requirements, 30 days prior to their expiry date, a three year license will be issued with an expiry of 2011. Personnel that drop out of the Alternate Route program prior to their expiry must access the licensing examination for re-licensing.

Upon completion of the 3 year cycle or the licensing examination personnel will be able to continue to maintain their license either through completion of the 3 year cycle of Alternate Route program, or the licensing exam. Either method must be complete prior to license expiry.

Example 2: EMS personnel that currently hold a license with a July 31, 2006 expiry and submit proof of completion of the 2nd year of the 3 year Alternate Route program cycle, will receive a license with a July 31, 2007 expiry. Upon submission of the 3rd year Alternate Route program requirements, 30 days prior to their expiry date, a three year license will be issued with an expiry of 2010. EMS personnel that drop out of the Alternate Route program prior to their expiry must access the licensing examination for re-licensing.

Upon completion of the 3 year cycle or the licensing examination, personnel will be able to continue to maintain their license either through completion of the 3 year cycle of Alternate Route program, or the licensing exam. Either method must be complete prior to license expiry.

Example 3: EMS personnel that currently hold a license with a July 31, 2007 expiry and submits proof of completion of the 1st year of the 3 year cycle of Alternate Route program 30 days prior to their expiry date, will receive a license with a July 31, 2008 expiry. Upon submission of the 2nd year requirements, 30 days prior to their license expiry, a license is issued with an expiry of July 31, 2009. Upon submission of the 3rd year requirements, 30 days prior to their expiry date, a three year license will be issued with an expiry of 2012. EMS personnel that drop out of the Alternate Route program prior to their expiry must access the licensing examination for re-licensing.

Upon completion of the 3 year cycle or the licensing examination, EMS personnel will be able to continue to maintain their license either through completion of the 3 year cycle of Alternate Route program, or the licensing exam. Either method must be complete prior to license expiry.

---

Question: I am an EMT and I completed one year of the Alternate Route program and then opted out of the program and now I would like to get back in as my license expires 2007. Can I do this?

Answer: The Alternate Route program is a cycle comprised of three years. You must complete the cycle in consecutive years. For 2006 only EMS personnel that are currently licensed at the EMT Basic level can opt back into the program. They must start in year one and complete the entire cycle in three years, a license will be issued yearly, if required until the 3 year cycle is complete, at which time a 3 year license will be issued. EMS personnel that drop out of the Alternate Route program prior to their expiry must access the licensing examination for re-licensing.

Upon completion of the 3 year cycle or the licensing examination, personnel will be able to continue to maintain their license either through completion of the 3 year cycle of Alternate Route program or the licensing exam. Either method must be complete prior to license expiry.

---

Question: If my license has expired and I didn’t renew it or participate in the Alternate Route program can I come in and reapply and get my license back?

Answer: Within one year of your original expiry date you would be allowed the opportunity to access the provincial licensing level for your educational qualifications, upon successful completion of the written and practical components a license would be issued.

---

Question: What if I am a currently licensed EMT with a 2007 license expiry date and have not taken the Alternate Route program?

Answer: Submit your grandfathering form once you have completed the ‘gap’. – A Provisional Technician –Paramedic license will be issued until your current expiry date. Enroll in the Alternate Route Program and complete the first year by July 31, 2007. A license will be issued removing the provisional status with an expiry of 2008. Complete Year 2 of the program by July 31, 2008 and a license will be issued with an expiry of 2009. Complete Year 3 of the program by July 31, 2009 and a license will be issued with an expiry of 2012.

To maintain your license you must, prior to your expiry date, either complete 3 consecutive years of the Alternate Route program or attend the licensing exam.

---

Question: What if I am a currently licensed EMT with a 2008 license expiry date and have not taken Alternate Route program?

Answer: Submit your grandfathering form once you have completed the ‘gap’. – A Provisional (transitional)Technician –Paramedic license will be issued until your current expiry date. Enroll in the Alternate Route program and complete the first year by July 31, 2007. A license will be issued removing the provisional status until your current expiry of 2008. Complete Year 2 of the program by July 31, 2008 and a license will be issued with an expiry of 2009. Complete Year 3 of the program by July 31, 2009 and a license will be issued with an expiry of 2012. To maintain your license you must, prior to your expiry date, either complete 3 consecutive years of the Alternate Route program or attend the licensing exam.