HB417 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip PettusRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to the State Board of Health and emergency medical services; to amend Section 22-18-1, Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the requirements for a licensure as a community paramedic; and to prohibit the State Board of Health from requiring a college degree for licensure as a community paramedic.

Summary

HB417 removes the college degree requirement from licensure as a community paramedic and sets new training and experience requirements for licensure.

What This Bill Does

The bill eliminates the need for a college degree to become a licensed community paramedic. It maintains that a community paramedic must be a licensed paramedic with at least two years of full-time service, complete a board-approved community paramedic training program and earn a postsecondary award, pass the state community paramedic exam, and be licensed by the State Board of Health. It also defines related EMS terms and programs and specifies the act’s effective date.

Who It Affects

• Experienced paramedics who want to become community paramedics will need at least two years of full-time paramedic service, complete a board-approved CP training program, obtain a postsecondary award, and pass the CP exam to be licensed.
• EMS agencies and training providers will need to offer and oversee board-approved community paramedic training programs that lead to a postsecondary award.
• Colleges and universities that offer community paramedic programs may award postsecondary credentials as part of the CP training requirements.

Key Provisions

• The board may not require a college degree for licensure as a community paramedic.
• To be licensed as a community paramedic, an individual must: (a) be currently licensed as a paramedic; (b) have at least two years of full-time paramedic service; (c) have completed a community paramedic training program and obtained a postsecondary or equivalent award from an accredited college or university or a board-approved program; (d) have passed the state community paramedic examination and met the license requirements; and (e) have been granted a license by the board.
• Defines key EMS terms (including community paramedic and community paramedicine program) and clarifies what constitutes a community paramedic program.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Paramedics, requirement of a college degree deleted for licensure