A perspective for policymakers

REPLICA is an interstate compact that recognizes the day-to-day movement of EMS personnel across state lines. REPLICA extends a privilege to practice under authorized circumstances to EMS personnel based on a license issued by their home state EMS office.

REPLICA improves access to EMS for the patients while bringing new efficiencies to the EMS personnel licensure process. For the first time in the history of the EMS profession, Compact states will know who is coming into their state to practice from other Compact states. EMS personnel use the home state EMS license to move across state lines and perform their official duties under authorized circumstances. When doing so, they are subject to the laws and rules of that state in which they are operating.

Since 2015, fourteen states have passed REPLICA’s model legislation. In order to activate the Compact, a minimum of 10 states needed to pass and enact the REPLICA legislation. REPLICA was developed in close consultation with the Council of State Governments (CSG) National Center for Interstate Compacts (NCIC), state EMS offices, the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO), and twenty-three stakeholders in EMS, healthcare, public safety and government. REPLICA’s Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice held its first meeting on October 7-8, 2017. The Commission is established to oversee the Compacts operation, each state will have one seat and one vote per member on matters before the body.

REPLICA operates similar to the Driver License Compact and Nurse Licensure Compact, Interstate Medical Licensure for physicians and Physical Therapy Compact. According to the NCIC, there are over 200 active interstate compacts in the United States today, 25 are national in focus and 4 have been adopted by all five states.

REPLICA – Benefits for EMS Personnel

EMS personnel will only have to obtain and maintain one EMS license in their home state. Compact member states extend a privilege to practice when performing authorized duties.

EMS personnel will provide care under the home state protocols and within their scope of practice unless modified by the appropriate authority in accordance with rules to be promulgated by the Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice.

For the protection of patients and coworkers, EMS personnel will be held to the highest standards through background checks using biometric data that is compliant with FBI requirements.

REPLICA – Benefits for Members of the Military, Veterans and their Spouses

The Compact member states will implement an expedited licensure process for members of the military and their spouses who are separating from active duty and hold a valid, unrestricted NREMT certification This includes veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserves.

REPLICA – Benefits for the Public

Access to EMS personnel will be improved across state lines through the privilege to practice shared between Compact states. The National Association of State EMS Officials (NASESMO) and the Council of State Governments (CSG) support REPLICA as a means of upholding the laws and rules in other Compact member states.

For the fist time in the history of EMS, the Compact will facilitate the ready exchange of information between member states through a national coordinated database. This information will include EMS personnel licensure history, adverse events, and significant investigatory information.

Compact states will act collectively in the recognition and promotion of the laws and rules of each respective state.

REPLICA – What it does not do

REPLICA does not allow EMS agencies to circumvent state laws and rules. REPLICA only applies to individual EMS personnel and their licenses.

REPLICA does not supersede state EMS laws, rules, or authority. Ambulance services are expected to be licensed and follow the laws and rules of the states they operate within. Compact states work collectively to recognize and promote member state EMS personnel licensure regulations.

REPLICA does not provide automatic reciprocity for EMS licensure between states.

REPLICA – Support

We are pleased to have the support of the Council of State Governments (CSG), the National EMS Advisory Committee (NEMSAC), the National Registry of EMT’s (NREMT), the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and the International Association of EMS Chiefs (IAEMSC).

At a meeting on August 13, 2014, CSG passed a resolution in support of REPLICA, which included:

“The Council of State Governments supports the establishment of the Recognition of EMS Personnel Licensure Compact (REPLICA) and encourages its member jurisdictions to consider the new interstate agreement as an innovative policy solution to the challenge of interstate EMS personnel emergency and life-saving operations. “

Read the full Resolution

In August of 2016 the National Registry of EMT’s published a statement of support for REPLICA which included:

“The NREMT is excited to announce a commitment to supporting REPLICA, the Recognition of EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact project. Every day, EMS practitioners cross state lines while caring for patients, responding to disasters, or performing other work duties. ”

Read full statement

In September 8, 2016 the National EMS Advisory Council, (NEMSAC) passed a Final Advisory on REPLICA with its full support. Activation of REPLICA in every State and Territory is in line with the NEMSAC core values of being visionary, strategic, and diligent. Having REPLICA activated nationwide is visionary because it promotes a seamless and integrated workforce across the continuum of emergency care. “

September 8, 2016

Read the full Final Advisory

On September 25, 2014, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) supported the adoption of REPLICA. “The adoption of the compact will make it easier for EMS personnel in different states to cooperate in the delivery of services. I encourage volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue personnel to work to have REPLICA is adopted in their states.”

Read the full statement

On October 29, 2017, the International Association of EMS Chiefs (IAEMSC) signed on in support of REPLICA. “The (IAEMSC)is pleased to support the efforts of REPLICA. As a stakeholder since the inception of this project as we recognize the need for a systematic way for EMS providers to cross jurisdictional boundaries in the course of their daily operations and in the times of disasters. REPLICA meets this need without the confusion and complications that often accompanies interstate patient care. This compact directly benefits the boot on the ground provider and the patients they treat.”

Supporting National Associations and Organizations

American Ambulance Association
Association of Air Medical Services
Association of Critical Care Transport
Council Of State Governments
International Association of EMS Chiefs
International Association of Fire Chiefs
National Association of EMS Educators
National Association of EMS Physicians
National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
National Association of State EMS Officials
National EMS Management Association
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
National Volunteer Fire Council

REPLICA – Questions and Further Information

Dan Manz, Advocate
REPLICA
603-381-9195
[email protected]