Education and examination requirements
Education requirements
All paramedics registering with CPPEI for the first time must have:
- Completed a post-secondary paramedicine program at one of the available levels (primary, advanced, or critical care) accredited by Accreditation Canada, or
- An education program that the Council considers to be substantially equivalent.
List of accredited and registered educational programs
Examination requirements
Entry-to-practice and certification exams
The entry-to-practice exams for primary and advanced care paramedics are administered by the Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators (COPR).
The Certified Critical Care Paramedic (CCP-C) Examination for critical care paramedics is administered by the International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC).
All paramedics registering with CPPEI for the first time must have successfully completed the exam matching their completed education program:
- Primary care - Entry to Practice Examination for Primary Care Paramedics or equivalent (exam booking)
- Advanced care - Entry to Practice Examination for Advanced Care Paramedics or equivalent (exam booking)
- Critical care - Certified Critical Care Paramedic (CCP-C) Examination or equivalent (exam booking)
Additionally, primary and advanced care paramedics must have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (renewed annually).
Paramedics who have completed their education but have not yet passed the required examination may apply for provisional registration. Provisional registrants can only work under supervision of a general registrant and have a limited time to complete their examination. After they meet the examination requirement, provisional registrants are granted general registration.
Special authorization for the reserved activity
Registered advanced care paramedics may apply for special authorization to perform one or both of the following reserved activities:
- Performing simple suturing and wound closure on tissue below the dermis to close a wound; and
- Applying sound energy for diagnostic testing or the insertion of an invasive line.
Paramedics may not legally practise the reserved activities mentioned above without special authorization from CPPEI.
A request for special authorization can be submitted through the online registration system in the member profile, under Education.
Jurisprudence exam
The jurisprudence exam assesses a registrant's knowledge and understanding of specific rules and regulations for paramedics practising in PEI. It is not a required exam for initial registration. However, all CPPEI registrants will need to complete the exam prior to their first registration renewal.
This open-book exam is available at no charge through the online registration system - HMS.
