§ 8124. Emergency medical services instructors.

(a) Certification.--An EMS instructor's certification is permanently subject to disciplinary action under this section. The department shall certify as an EMS instructor a person who:

(1) Completes an application for an EMS instructor's certification on a form or through an electronic application process, as prescribed by the department.

(2) Is at least 18 years of age.

(3) Has successfully completed an EMS instructor's course approved by the department or possesses a bachelor's degree in education, a teacher's certification in education or a doctorate or master's degree.

(4) Is certified and currently registered as an EMT or higher-level EMS provider.

(5) Possesses current certification in a CPR course acceptable to the department or current certification as a CPR instructor.

(6) Has at least one year's experience working as an EMT or higher-level EMS provider.

(7) Has provided at least 20 hours of monitored instruction time in an EMS provider's certification program.

(b) Triennial registration.--

(1) An EMS instructor's certification is deemed registered for three years after issuance. An EMS instructor shall register the EMS instructor's certification at three- year intervals by completing an application for triennial registration on a form or through an electronic process, as prescribed by the department. An EMS instructor may not teach in an accredited EMS institute, pursuant to an EMS instructor's certification, unless the certification is currently registered. The department shall issue a triennial registration of an EMS instructor's certification to an EMS instructor who:

(i) Has completed an application for triennial registration on a form or through an electronic application process, as prescribed by the department.

(ii) Has a current registration and applies for a new registration no later than 30 days before the current registration is to expire or within a lesser time as the department may establish by regulation.

(iii) Has taught at least 60 hours of EMS provider's certification or rescue courses approved by the department during the previous three years.

(iv) Is certified and currently registered as an EMT or higher-level EMS provider.

(v) Possesses current certification in a CPR course acceptable to the department or current certification as a CPR instructor.

(2) An EMS instructor whose registration as an EMS instructor's certification has expired shall qualify for a triennial registration of the certification as prescribed by regulation of the department.

(c) Regulations.--The department may adopt regulations to set standards for EMS instructors in providing instruction in EMS institutions.

(d) Grounds for discipline.--The department may impose discipline against an EMS instructor for the following reasons:

(1) Any reason an EMS provider may be disciplined under section 8121 (relating to certification sanctions).

(2) Providing instruction while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs or the knowing abuse of legal drugs.

(3) Failing to perform a duty imposed upon an EMS instructor by this chapter or a related regulation.

(4) Other reasons as determined by the department that pose a threat to the health, safety or welfare of students.

(e) Disciplinary options.--If the department is empowered to impose discipline against an individual under this section, the department may do one or more of the following:

(1) Deny the application for certification.

(2) Issue a public reprimand.

(3) Revoke, suspend, limit or otherwise restrict the certification.

(4) Impose a civil money penalty not exceeding $1,000 for each incident in which the EMS instructor engages in conduct that constitutes a basis for discipline.

(5) Stay enforcement of any suspension, revocation or other discipline and place the individual on probation with the right to vacate the probationary order for noncompliance.

(f) Construction.--This section shall not be construed to require the certification as EMS instructors of all instructors of EMS courses accepted toward educational requirements for EMS provider's certification or toward continuing education requirements for the registration of EMS provider's certifications.