Texas Senate Bill 8 EMS Scholarship FAQs

Q:  Where can I obtain information about EMS education and training scholarships that are available in my area of the state?
A: Use this map to identify the Regional Advisory Council (RAC) that serves your county and contact them to request information about available EMS scholarships in your area. Additional information available at
EMS.Texas.gov..

Q: What can be paid for using scholarship funds?
A: Scholarship funds can be used towards your education, education material and the ability to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) examination for the first time only.

Q: What cannot be paid for using scholarship funds?
A: Scholarship funds cannot be used towards your student uniform, lab coat, required equipment, etc. or towards your state certification.

Q: Can I receive education to move from Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) consecutively, and receive funding?
A: Yes.

Q: What is an EMS endorsement, and do I need one to register for an EMS education program?
A: You do not need to be endorsed to take an EMS education program, but it helps to advance your career by building a strong relationship with a currently licensed EMS organization.

Q: How do I obtain an EMS endorsement for an education program?
A: Review the current Texas-licensed EMS providers on the DSHS website, and reach out to ask them about their opportunities to start an EMS career. Remember you do not have to be endorsed to take an EMS education program for state certification.

Q: I have one year left on my volunteer/employment obligation in this program. I accept another job offer with an out-of-state ambulance. What happens?
A: Contact the Regional Advisory Council office or the EMS-Trauma Systems Unit. Funding will need to be returned to the sponsoring agency or entity.

Q: What happens to my tuition or any remaining balance if the education program closes without notice and I cannot finish my course? Who do I contact for help?
A: Contact the Regional Advisory Council that processed the scholarship or the EMS-Trauma Systems Unit for assistance with completing the scholarship requirements.

Q: If I’m working or volunteering for a DSHS-licensed EMS provider on an ambulance, community paramedic program, or special event response, will these hours count toward my service requirement?
 A: Yes, so long as you are working or volunteering for a current Texas-licensed EMS provider.

Q: Who is eligible to receive the scholarship incentive?
A: The EMS education program will receive the incentive through the EMS provider or the Regional Advisory Council (RAC).

Q: What must an EMS education program include to apply for scholarships?
A: At minimum, the EMS program must include tuition, books, and the fee to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam the first time. An EMS education program is not prohibited from providing additional resources to the students.

Q: May an education program receive the incentive for a non-scholarship student? Example, a community college has twenty students in a paramedic course with two students on scholarship. How much of an incentive payment can the program receive?
A: Only the students receiving the scholarship through the approved education program qualify for the incentive.

Q: Does the funding for one National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) examination include funding for psychomotor (skills) testing at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) and paramedic level?
A: Yes, this includes one skills exam session.

Q: Which national registry exam does the scholarship pay for?
A: The scholarship pays for tuition, National Registry Exam (practical and written) one time, books and course material. An education program may include other supplies as part of tuition, however the maximum amount paid by  RAC to the EMS Education Provider or EMS Provider is as follows:

• EMT $2,000                      
• AEMT $3,200                   
• Paramedic $8,000

Q: What is the cost for the NREMT test as of January 1, 2023?
A: The 2023 Cognitive Examination Fee schedule will reflect the new fees on January 1, 2023. These Cognitive Examination fees, per attempt, are:

• EMR $88
• EMT $104
• AEMT $144
• Paramedic $160.

Q: If a student fails the NREMT test the first time, it can be difficult to file and find a slot to retake the test within the 90-day timeframe. Agencies state it can take two to three weeks for a test slot to open. Can this language or timeframe be adjusted?
A: DSHS understands this can be a challenge, but the purpose of this project is to increase the EMS workforce as soon as possible. We cannot adjust the timeframe but will allow the RAC to consider providing more time to complete the 90-day requirement on a case-by-case basis. The RAC will need written documentation to allow this hardship and should keep a copy of the document with their Senate Bill 8 files.

Q: What documentation is required to show an education entity’s inability to complete Paramedic training in 365 days?
A: The goal of this project is to increase the workforce as fast as possible, keeping in mind that the student will need to balance education, work and family. When constructing the timeframe, a 90-day window was built-in to complete the testing process and to begin working or volunteering for an EMS Provider.

• If unable to meet the required timeline, documentation from the course coordinator should be sent to the RAC executive director stating that course enrollment would be higher if the program could offer more time to compete the course. Please note that reasons such as “This is how we’ve always done it” will not be considered.
• If a program requests additional time and can have the student tested, certified, and working within 90 days after the last official day of class, the project will meet its goal.

Q: How will education programs be able to use awarded incentives? Are there any restrictions or must it go towards direct costs?
A: There are no restrictions on how an EMS education program uses the awarded incentives.

Q: Is there an appeal process if an Emergency Medical Services Education (EMSE) Funding Application is not approved?
A: Yes. Approval of EMSE scholarship funding applications will be determined based on the approved statement of work provided to the RAC. (Special consideration will be given to applications from rural or underserved counties and counties with a demonstrated need for EMS education.)

• If the RAC does not recommend funding the EMSE request, an email will be routed to the requesting person or entity.
• The requesting person or entity has the right to appeal the decision to RAC leadership.
• The requesting person or entity has the right to appeal the decision to DSHS leadership for final consideration.
• This information is located on page 14 of the playbook as well.

Q: Does an EMS provider need to participate in their local RAC to receive funding?
A: Texas Administrative Code 157.11 (n) (3) requires EMS providers to participate in regional advisory councils (RAC) and provide an attestation or documentation that its management staff will or continue to participate in the local regional advisory council. If an EMS Provider is not participating in their local RAC they would not qualify to receive funding.

Q: Are EMS providers that provide 911 and/or inter-facility transports both eligible to receive scholarships under this program?
A: Yes, both are eligible to participate if they are a current Texas-licensed EMS provider.

Q: May time employed or volunteering with a local fire department on the fire truck or rescue unit count toward the volunteer or employment obligation?
A: You may only count time volunteering or employed on a Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) licensed ambulance.

Q: Are first responder organizations eligible to participate in this program?
A: Scholarship awards are for students working for EMS providers only. The department may review and consider recognized first responder organizations in the future.

Q: What happens if someone becomes injured on or off the job and cannot complete the obligation to volunteer or work on an ambulance?
A: You may extend the requirement time until they are able to work. If they are unable to work, contact the Regional Advisory Office that processed the scholarship for assistance.

Q: What happens if a scholarship recipient has not fulfilled their volunteer or employment obligation and accepts a job offer with an out-of-state ambulance service?
A: Contact the Regional Advisory Council office or the EMS-Trauma Systems Unit; funding will need to be returned to the sponsoring agency or entity.

Q: What is the process for recovering funds if a student does not complete the education or fails to complete the service requirements?
A: The EMS Sponsor must make a good-faith effort to recover funds if a student does not finish the program or does not complete the required service. If the EMS Sponsor is not successful in recovering the funds, the RAC office will attempt to recover the funds, and if they fail, the state will then make attempts. Note: All returned/refunded scholarship money must be used to benefit Senate Bill 8 EMS Recruitment and Retention.

Q: Is there an appeal process if an Emergency Medical Services Education (EMSE) Funding Application is not approved?
A: Yes. Approval of EMSE scholarship funding applications will be determined based on the approved statement of work provided to the RAC. (Special consideration will be given to applications from rural or underserved counties and counties with a demonstrated need for EMS education.)

• If the RAC does not recommend funding the EMSE request, an email will be routed to the requesting person or entity.
• The requesting person or entity has the right to appeal the decision to RAC leadership.
• The requesting person or entity has the right to appeal the decision to DSHS leadership for final consideration.

Q: Who is eligible to receive funding?
A: All education programs and/or EMS providers currently licensed by DSHS.

Q: Does an EMS provider need to participate in their local Regional Advisory Council (RAC) to receive funding?
A: Texas Administrative Code 157.11 (n) (3) requires EMS Providers to participate in RACs and provide an attestation or documentation that its management staff will or continue to participate in the local regional advisory council. If an EMS Provider is not participating in their local RAC, they would not qualify to receive funding.

Q: If a student is eligible for tuition assistance through another program, but that program does not cover the cost of books and the first national registry exam, are RACs able to provide only the funds needed to cover those costs?
A: It is at the discretion of the RAC to determine how funds are distributed – provided the funds are used for education, books, and a one-time national registry exam cost, and does not exceed the allocated amount of funding for the course.

Q: Must all applicants live in the RAC or have pre-existing employment with a RAC-participating EMS member?
A: There is no requirement that someone must live in the RAC to receive a scholarship, but the student must complete their EMS service commitment in an ambulance serving the RAC that provided the scholarship.

Q: For students completing their service commitment, must all 96 hours be completed in the sponsoring RAC? Some EMS agencies have agreements with, and transport to, multiple RACs. Can a student complete their hours in another RAC?
A: Yes, but only if the student completes 96 hours in an ambulance that meets the standard of a rural EMS provider or underserved area of Texas, as determined by the RAC. The two RACs should work together to ensure that the student successfully completes the service requirements.

Q: May time employed or volunteering with a local fire department on the fire truck or rescue unit count toward the volunteer or employment commitment?
A: No. Funds can only be distributed to DSHS approved education programs and/or EMS providers for the benefit of students participating in the scholarship program.

Q: For RACs with military installations or large companies with private, contract EMS services not licensed in Texas (but providing prehospital care in the area) – are they eligible for scholarships?
A: No. To be eligible for a scholarship an EMS education program or the EMS provider receiving the scholarship must be licensed in Texas.

Q: What happens to scholarship funds if a student does not complete the education program?
A: The EMS education program that received the scholarship can redistribute the funds to additional EMS education resources or participants if the initial recipient cannot complete the process. Please contact the EMS-Trauma Systems Unit for questions.

Q: What happens with collected funds?
A: The Education Provider or the EMS Provider can redistribute the funds to additional EMS education resources or participants if the initial recipient cannot complete the process. Please contact the EMS-Trauma Systems Unit for questions.

Q: Should the RAC allocate a portion of Medicare and social security to the funding stream?
A: Based on how you have established this allocation within your cost centers for fringe benefits, you will also need to allocate Medicare and social security for the proportion of staff time spent working on Senate Bill 8 activities.

Q: Can a RAC support a scholarship after the start of the course?
A: YES, it is up to the RAC if they will consider an application after the start date of the course. A RAC can not support an application for a course that started before September 1, 2022.

Q: How much funding can be provided to a person who completed the Basic or Advanced Education Coordinators Course?
A : The person can receive up to $600.00 or the documents amount paid by the student to take the course. The person must agree to meet the requirements for receiving these funds.