1. Any person desiring certification as an emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician or paramedic must apply to the health authority using forms prescribed by the health authority.

2. The health authority, pursuant to regulations and procedures adopted by the board, shall make a determination of the applicant’s qualifications to be certified as an emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician or paramedic and shall issue the appropriate certificate to each qualified applicant.

3. A certificate is valid for a period not exceeding 2 years and may be renewed if the holder of the certificate complies with the provisions of this chapter and meets the qualifications set forth in the regulations and standards established by the board pursuant to this chapter. The regulations and standards established by the board must provide for the completion of:

(a) A course of instruction, within 2 years after initial certification, relating to the medical consequences of an act of terrorism that involves the use of a weapon of mass destruction. The course must provide at least 4 hours of instruction that includes instruction in the following subjects:

(1) An overview of acts of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction;

(2) Personal protective equipment required for acts of terrorism;

(3) Common symptoms and methods of treatment associated with exposure to, or injuries caused by, chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear agents;

(4) Syndromic surveillance and reporting procedures for acts of terrorism that involve biological agents; and

(5) An overview of the information available on, and the use of, the Health Alert Network.

The board may thereafter determine whether to establish regulations and standards requiring additional courses of instruction relating to the medical consequences of an act of terrorism that involves the use of a weapon of mass destruction.

(b) Training before initial certification concerning identifying and interacting with persons with developmental disabilities. Training completed pursuant to this paragraph also satisfies the requirement for such training prescribed by NRS 289.605 or 450B.160, if applicable.

4. The health authority may suspend or revoke a certificate if it finds that the holder of the certificate no longer meets the prescribed qualifications. Unless the certificate is suspended by the district court pursuant to NRS 425.540, the holder of the certificate may appeal the suspension or revocation of his or her certificate pursuant to regulations adopted by the board.

5. The board shall determine the procedures and techniques which may be performed by an emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician or paramedic.

6. A certificate issued pursuant to this section is valid throughout the State, whether issued by the Division or a district board of health.

7. The Division shall maintain a central registry of all certificates issued pursuant to this section, whether issued by the Division or a district board of health.

8. The board shall adopt such regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

9. As used in this section:

(a) “Act of terrorism” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 202.4415.

(b) “Biological agent” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 202.442.

(c) “Chemical agent” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 202.4425.

(d) “Developmental disability” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 435.007.

(e) “Radioactive agent” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 202.4437.

(f) “Weapon of mass destruction” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 202.4445.

(Added to NRS by 1973, 1143; A 1977, 70; 1981, 279, 1555; 1991, 1916; 1993, 2831; 1995, 2548; 1997, 2056; 2003, 2953; 2005, 2471; 2013, 940; 2019, 2092)