EMS Certification Commission 

The Louisiana Emergency Medical Services Certification Commission (EMSCC), created pursuant to LA R.S. 40:1133.3, is comprised of twelve voting members appointed by the governor.  LA R.S. 40:1133.4 et seq. grants to the EMSCC the power and duty to, among other things, establish and publish standards of out-of-hospital practice, regulate the scope of practice of Emergency Medical Services Practitioners, discipline and regulate the practice of Emergency Medical Services Practitioners, and establish standards for education programs preparing individuals for out-of-hospital practice.

Please direct EMS Certification Commission inquiries to EMS.Commission@la.gov

 

EMS Certification Commissioners

American College of Emergency Physicians:   Christopher B. Willoughby, MD

EMS Private Administrator:   Casey McBeath

Paramedic:   Carl Flores

American Academy of Pediatrics:   Megan Marino, MD

American College of Surgeons:   Navdeep Samra, MD

Emergency Medical Technician:   Timothy Crocket

EMS Public Administrator:   Otha Henry - Chair 

Louisiana Emergency Nurses Association:     Adam Oliver - Secretary

Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association:   Toby Henry

Louisiana Municipal Association:   Kirk Lacour

Louisiana State Medical Society:   Scott Thames, Jr., MD - Vice-Chair 

Professional Firefighters Association of Louisiana:   Brandon Lee

 

 

EMS Certification Commission Meeting Schedule

The Emergency Medical Services Certification Commission’s regular meetings are at  9:00 a.m. at the office of the Louisiana Bureau of EMS, unless otherwise noted. 

 

2023 Regular Meeting Dates:

February 17, 2023

April 21, 2023

June 2, 2023

August 18, 2023

October 20, 2023   

December 15, 2023 

   

EMSCC Meeting Agendas/Notices and Minutes can be found on the Louisiana Boards & Commissions website.

Click here for all EMSCC agendas/notices. 

Click here for all EMSCC minutes.

 

Disciplinary Action

Please find below a list of EMS licenses that have been disciplined by the EMS Certification Commission.

CLICK HERE for 2021 Disciplinary Decisions

CLICK HERE for 2022 Disciplinary Decisions

CLICK HERE for 2023 Disciplinary Decisions

 

Deferred Decision Matrix

The EMS Certification Commission utilizes the Deferred Decision Matrix as a starting point in making licensing or disciplinary decisions and is therefore provided only for general informational and guidance purposes. Each applicant has unique and individual circumstances which may involve aggravating or mitigating or other factors. Additionally, patterns of conduct may affect any final decision. Please consult your attorney if you have questions.

CLICK HERE to view the Deferred Decision Matrix

 

Complaints

What to Report?

Facts known regarding the incompetent, unethical, or illegal practice or conduct, including criminal conduct, arrest, or conviction, of any EMS practitioner, including any practice or conduct that violates any provision, requirements, or prohibition contained in  LA R.S. 40:1131 (et. seq.) or Administrative Code Title 46 XXXVIII: Emergency Medical Services

 Which may include any of the following violations:

 

Who Should Report?

Any student, candidate, licensed EMS practitioners, EMS Educator, EMS Provider or EMS Employer having direct knowledge.

 

How to Report

Reports must be in writing and can be accomplished by fax, postal service or electronic means.   

Click here to complete a EMSCC Complaint Form

 

To Whom to Report

EMS Certification Commission

c/o Stacy Barbay

7273 Florida Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70806

 

Phone: (225) 925-4022

Fax: (225) 925-7244

Email: EMS.Commission@la.gov

                   

Public Comment at EMSCC Meetings

At every open meeting of the EMSCC, members of the public shall be afforded an opportunity to make public comment addressing any matters set by agenda for discussion at that meeting.  Concerns and public comments shall be limited to five minutes per individual unless the time limitations are waived by a majority of the EMS Certification Commission members present.

Anyone wishing to speak on a specific item must present the request prior to the convening of the meeting. Cards shall be available to place the request for public comment, along with the requestor’s name and for whom the requestor is appearing.

 

Scope of Practice

The EMS Certification Commission will determine the Scope of Practice for each EMS Practitioner level.  The EMSCC retains the authority to modify, expand, limit, or change the Scope of Practice by passing a resolution.  Upon the passing of a resolution, the Bureau of EMS will publish the resolution and update the Scope of Practice matrix on the Bureau of EMS website and the Louisiana Boards and Commissions Emergency Medical Services Certification Commission web page.

CLICK HERE for the Scope of Practice (updated April 2023)

CLICK HERE for the Scope of Practice Clarification (updated January 2022)

The Emergency Medical Services Certification Commission revised the expansion to the Louisiana EMS Scope of Practice on October 16, 2020. Please note that the expansion of skills will remain in effect during the COVID-19 crisis or until rescinded by the Louisiana EMS Certification Commission.

CLICK HERE for the Louisiana EMS Scope of Practice Expansion Due to the Pandemic.

CLICK HERE for Public Health Emergency Extension

CLICK HERE for CLIA Waived Testing information.

CLICK HERE for Temporary Registration Rule

 

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

The EMS Certification Commission, at the August 21, 2020 regular meeting, adopted the Louisiana Department of Health Diversity & Inclusion Statement as noted below: 

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) characterize diversity as representing the differences and similarities of all of us that include, for example, individual characteristics (e.g. disability, age, education level, poverty status, rural/urban setting, race, ethnicity and orientation, values, beliefs, experiences and backgrounds. LDH also characterizes inclusion as creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute fully to the work of our agency. This is inclusive of LDH also building its capacity to create, support and/or fund (i.e., via programming projects and contracts) efforts that do not discriminate against people, populations, and/or communities due to disability, age, education level, poverty status, rural/urban setting, race, ethnicity, and orientation. LDH believes that diversity and inclusion aid it more equitably achieving its mission – “…protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for citizens of the State of Louisiana”. 

 

Open Meetings Law

LA R.S. 42:12(B) requires the Commission to post Louisiana’s “Open Meetings Law”.  In compliance therewith, the following link to Chapter 1-A of LA R.S. Title 42 is provided:  http://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?p=y&d=727656 .  

By clicking on the “<” and “>” symbols on either side of the statutory citation, a viewer can read the entire Chapter.

 

Statutes: EMS Certification Commission

LRS 40:1133.3 EMS Certification Commission

LRS 40:1133.4 Powers and Duties of the Commission

LRS 40:1133.7 Grounds for Disciplinary Proceedings

LRS 40:1133.8 Hearings of the Commission

 

Statutes: Emergency Medical Services

LRS 40:1131 Emergency Medical Services

LRS 40:1133.1 Emergency Medical Personnel

LRS 40:1133.2 Fee Schedule

LRS 40:1133.5 Powers and Duties of the Bureau

LRS 40:1133.6 License Requirements

LRS 40:1133.10 Violations

LRS 40:1133.11 Prosecution

LRS 40:1141 Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA)