Baseline: Revocation | Range: 3-Year Suspension to Revocation

Description:

• Engages in conduct which is a state or federal criminal offense that is a felony.
• Engages in conduct which is a state or federal criminal offense that is a class A misdemeanor, and which involves an act of violence or a specific victim such as assaultive actions or threatening violence.
• Engaged in 5 or more lifetime separate offenses, misdemeanor or felony, that would be cause for discipline.

Baseline: 2-Year Suspension | Range: 1-Year Suspension to Revocation

Description:

• Engages in conduct which is a state or federal criminal offense that is a class A misdemeanor and does not involve an act of violence.
• A second offense, while licensed with the Bureau, that is related to alcohol, DUI, drug, or violence, regardless of time between first and second offense.
• Engaged in 3 or more lifetime separate offenses, misdemeanor or felony, that would be a cause for discipline.

Baseline: 6 Month Suspension | Range: 3 Month to 2-Year Suspension

Description:

• Engages in conduct which is a state or federal criminal offense that is a class B misdemeanor, and which involves an act of violence, or a specific victim such as assaultive actions or threatening violence.

Baseline: 3 Month Suspension | Range: Letter of Caution to 1 ½ Year Suspension

Description:

• Engages in conduct which is a state or federal criminal offense that is a class B misdemeanor, not involving an act of violence or a specific victim such as assaultive actions or threatening violence.
• Engages in conduct which is a state or federal criminal offense that is a class C misdemeanor or infraction involving an act of violence.

Baseline: Letter of Caution | Range: Letter of Caution to 1-Year Suspension

Description:

• Engages in conduct which is a state or federal criminal offense that is a class C misdemeanor or infraction, and does not involve an act of violence or a specific victim such as assaultive actions or threatening violence, or does not include traffic offenses.

Baseline: Revocation | Range: 3-Years to Revocation

Description: Severe violations include fraud, deception, criminal behavior, or abuse of position for personal gain, as well as performing procedures outside one’s licensure that harm patients. It also covers unsafe practices that cause serious injury, refusal of required drug testing, and other actions that endanger public safety or violate professional and regulatory standards.

Licensure Violations:

• Gross misconduct compromising public trust, licensure integrity, or patient safety or health.
• Failure to follow protocols or engaging in unsafe practices which cause death or serious bodily injury to a patient or others.
• Performing medical procedures beyond licensure, directly resulting in a negative outcome to the patient.
• Felony or misdemeanor criminal behavior that results in significant patient harm or endangers public safety.
• Refusal or failure to respond truthfully to questions after having been issued a warning based on Garrity vs. New Jersey.
• Use of a schedule I or II drug, an unprescribed drug, or alcohol while on duty.
• Performing a medical procedure while impaired.
• Refusal to take an employer required drug test, with or without an admission of substance use or other unfit-for-duty behavior as the reason for refusal.
• Use or abuse of EMS position for personal, financial, or professional gain.
• Agency engages in fraudulent activities, including but not limited to falsifying records, misrepresentation of credentials, financial misconduct, billing fraud, controlled substance misappropriation, or providing false information to regulatory authorities.
• Agency failure to enforce protocols or allowing unsafe practices which may cause death or serious bodily injury to a patient or others.

Baseline: 2-Years | Range: 1-Year to Revocation

Description: Major violations reflect serious breaches of professional conduct or regulatory compliance that require substantial disciplinary action, or immediate threats to public safety. While not as severe as Category A, these violations may still result in significant penalties, including probation, suspension, and potential revocation.

Licensure Violations:

• Negligent patient care resulting in harm.
• Failure to follow established safety protocols or engaging in unsafe practices that put patients or staff at risk of serious bodily injury.
• Failure to follow protocols or engaging in unsafe practices which cause substantial bodily injury to a patient or others.
• Intentional inaccurate documentation on medical records or controlled substance administration, destruction, or transfer.
• Three or more separate incidents that demonstrate non-compliance with medical protocols, demonstrating negligence or misconduct.
• Practicing under a lapsed or suspended license, including deliberate avoidance of renewal requirements.
• Use of EMS position to make threats or coerce.
• Providing false or misleading information to employers, the public or regulatory agencies regarding qualifications or certifications.
• Arriving on duty unfit for duty or impaired, including but not limited to substance use, fatigue, medical conditions, or other factors that impair performance and safety.
• Discriminatory behavior that results in or failure to treat patients with respect, primarily based on race, gender, socioeconomic status, or other protected status under Utah Antidiscrimination Act.
• Agency transports a patient without a ground ambulance license issued by BEMS.
• Agency has pervasive inaccurate documentation on medical records or controlled substance administration, destruction, or transfer.
• Agency has pervasive or intentional failures to enforce protocols or fails to correct unsafe practices which can cause bodily injury to a patient or others.

Baseline: 1-Year | Range: 3 Months to 3-years

Description: Moderate violations involve compliance and documentation failures that, while not immediately dangerous, create risks to licensure integrity and regulatory compliance. These violations often require structured corrective actions.

Licensure Violations:

• Failure to report mandatory background checks or fitness-to-practice issues to the Bureau.
• Minor misconduct that negatively impacts professional behavior but does not rise to criminality.
• Pervasive or intentional failure to follow protocols or engaging in unsafe practices which cause bodily injury to a patient or others.
• Failure to report termination or suspension for a licensure-relevant violation.
• Repeated administrative errors in patient care documentation affecting compliance.
• Failure to respond to or comply with BEMS inquiries related to ongoing investigations or compliance audits.
• Failure to follow inventory procedures for controlled substances, such as minor discrepancies in documentation or failure to adhere to established protocols for record-keeping.
• Engaging in inappropriate relationships, creating professional conflicts within EMS roles.
• Failure to follow established safety protocols or engaging in unsafe practices that put patients or staff at risk of bodily injury.
• Engaging in EMS operations that are outside an agency’s Plan of Operations.
• Knowingly falsifying licensure, endorsements, or patient care documentation
• Commits fraud or is deceptive in licensure or continuing medical education hours.
• Intentional disclosure of patient information with unauthorized individuals, including verbal, written, or electronic communication, without patient consent or legal justification.
• Intentional failure to secure patient records, including improper handling of PHI or PII.
• Sexual harassment towards a patient, involving inappropriate comments, unwanted physical contact, or unwelcome advances.
• Agency uses fraud or deception related to licensure, or certification, or the renewal processes.
• Agency fails to secure controlled substances in accordance with state or federal regulations, such as leaving them unsecured or failing to use proper locking mechanisms.

Baseline: 6 Months | Range: Letter of Caution to 3-years

Description: Minor violations involving compliance and documentation failures, posing modest danger to public safety, creating risk to licensure integrity and regulatory compliance. These violations require minor structured corrective actions.

Licensure Violations:

• Inaccurate documentation of controlled substance administration, destruction, or transfer.
• Failure to follow protocols or engaging in unsafe practices which cause bodily injury to a patient or others.
• Failure to properly destroy expired or unused controlled substances in compliance with regulatory standards.
• Falsifying licensure or certification status when applying for employment or licensure renewals.
• Intentional misuse of illegal or controlled substances regardless of duty status.
• A supervisor fails to report observed or known unethical or dangerous behavior by a subordinate. Particularly when the behavior may pose a risk to public safety or licensure compliance.
• A supervisor fails to report a mandatory reporting requirement (e.g., child abuse, sexual misconduct, criminal activity) after having been informed.
• Agency failure to report a known PHI or PII breach.
• Agency failure to follow or enforce protocols or failing to correct unsafe practices which can cause bodily injury to a patient or others.
• Agency failure to secure patient records, including improper handling of PHI or PII by employees.

Baseline: Letter of Caution | Range: Letter of Caution to 1-Year

Description: Minimal violations involving compliance and documentation failures, posing slight danger to public safety, creating risk to licensure integrity and regulatory compliance. These violations require minor structured corrective actions.

Licensure Violations:

• Failure to report mandatory reporting violations (e.g., child abuse, sexual misconduct, criminal activity).
• Unintentional disclosure of patient information with unauthorized individuals, including verbal, written, or electronic communication, without patient consent or legal justification.
• Unintentional failure to secure patient records, including improper handling of PHI or PII.
• Accessing PHI or PII without a legitimate need, discussing patient information in non-secure areas, using unsecured electronic communication.
• Failure to report observed or known unethical or dangerous behavior by another EMS provider, educator, or student, particularly when the behavior may pose a risk to public safety, licensure compliance, or educational integrity.
• Agency failure to properly supervise patient care documentation.

Baseline: Revocation | Range: 3-Years to Revocation

Description: Severe violations in education settings involve actions that compromise student competency, violate ethical standards, or undermine public trust in EMS education. These actions often result in immediate suspension pending investigation and typically lead to revocation of education endorsements or approvals.

Education Violations:

• Fraudulent reporting of education/training data (e.g., submitting false records for NREMT approval).
• Knowingly approving students for certification or testing without meeting competency requirements.
• Coercion, threats, or inappropriate use of an EMS leadership role for personal benefit.
• Severe non-compliance with state education regulations impacting student competency.
• Criminal sexual harassment to include any form of sexual assault, sexual battery, or any form of criminal harassment that involves physical contact or the threat of violence.
• Failure to implement or enforce a sexual harassment policy in compliance with BEMS standards and the Course Coordinator Manual.
• Engaging in any sexual act with a student.
• Allowing or participating in the falsification of student assessments or clinical performance records.
• Failure of EMS training program staff, instructors, or leadership to address or report known safety risks, ethical violations, or misconduct occurring within the training program. Failure to address or report known safety or ethical violations within an EMS training program.
• Submitting false documentation to BEMS with the intent to deceive, including falsified records, altered documents, or forged signatures used to gain or maintain educational endorsements, program approvals, or student certifications.
• Intentional failure to maintain endorsed status as a course coordinator and continuing operation of a program without the appropriate endorsed course coordinator.
• Operating a course under the name of an endorsed course coordinator while another individual performs the coordinator’s duties (proxy use), in violation of Bureau policy. Hiring or using a proxy course coordinator without BEMS notification or approval and continuing to operate the training program under the false impression that the individual is still authorized to serve as the course coordinator.
• Failure to designate a lead agency for a multi-agency course, resulting in a lack of clear responsibility for course coordination and oversight.
• Failure to maintain professional competency or provide the best possible care by not continuously improving or maintaining required certifications.

Training Center-Level Enforcement:

• Training centers must immediately remove educators from instructional roles when severe violations are identified.
• Training centers should initiate internal investigations and notify BEMS to ensure regulatory compliance and protect student safety.

Baseline: 2-Years | Range: 1-Year to Revocation

Description: Major violations include significant breaches of compliance or professional standards that affect the quality of EMS education. These violations require strong disciplinary actions, including suspension and potential revocation of teaching credentials or program approvals.

Education Violations:

• Failure to verify student skill competencies before recommending for certification.
• Allowing unqualified personnel to teach EMS courses.
• Failure to enforce EMS ethics and professional conduct policies within a training program.
• Failure to comply with state education regulations affecting student assessment or training standards.
• Inappropriate interactions with students, including favoritism, discrimination, or unprofessional conduct.
• Failure to maintain accurate training records or documentation as required by state education standards.
• Intentional Misrepresentation to include when an individual, who is no longer an endorsed course coordinator/instructor, hires a proxy but continues to operate and manage the course, knowingly circumventing regulatory requirements.
• Failure to maintain required medical director oversight during EMS course delivery, resulting in compromised educational integrity, unauthorized scope-of-practice instruction, or regulatory noncompliance.
• Intentional failure to maintain the required instructor-to-student ratio across all participating agencies, leading to inadequate supervision or increased risk of student failure.
• Failure to maintain confidentiality regarding student or patient information, violating HIPAA or FERPA guidelines or disclosing information to unauthorized parties.
• Failure to demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of educational responsibilities, including abusive or discriminatory behavior, favoritism, or harassment.
• Failure to maintain safety standards or compromise student safety in an EMS training program, such as allowing unqualified instructors to teach or overseeing dangerous training practices.

Training Center-Level Enforcement:

• Training centers may initiate corrective actions, such as additional training, internal discipline, or temporary suspension of teaching roles.
• Training programs should report significant violations to BEMS when they affect student certification eligibility or program compliance.

Baseline: 1-Year | Range: 3 Months to 4-Years

Description: Moderate violations typically involve compliance and documentation issues within EMS training programs. These violations, while not immediately harmful, can disrupt the educational process and affect program integrity. Corrective actions and structured remediation plans are often required.

Education Violations:

• Failure to ensure accurate student attendance, assessment, and training verification.
• Sexual harassment which includes inappropriate comments, unwelcome physical advances, verbal harassment, or behavior that contributes to a hostile learning environment.
• Using non-endorsed or unqualified Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in the role of instructors for core course content.
• Failure to respond to or comply with BEMS inquiries related to ongoing investigations or compliance audits.
• Repeated non-compliance with state-approved curriculum.
• Failure to maintain instructor credentialing compliance.
• Inadequate supervision of students during clinical or field training experiences.
• Failure to adhere to approved course syllabi or instructional plans without state approval.
• Failure to comply with course size limits (36 students maximum, unless specific exceptions are granted).
• Failure to document all participating agencies, instructors, and course coordinators in the multi-agency course request submitted to BEMS.
• Failure to ensure all instructors meet the necessary qualifications for the multi-agency course, leading to unqualified instructors teaching students.

Training Center-Level Enforcement:

• Training centers may implement corrective training, probationary periods, or compliance reviews to address moderate violations.
• Training programs should ensure all education practices align with state standards to avoid escalation of penalties.

Baseline: 6 Months | Range: Letter of Caution to 3-Years

Description: Minor violations are administrative oversights or isolated incidents that are unlikely to impact student safety or competency if addressed promptly.

Education Violations:

• Administrative errors in course paperwork.
• Isolated incidents of minor non-compliance with procedural guidelines.
• Delayed responses to BEMS inquiries without impact on program status.
• Allowing procedural oversights that do not directly affect student eligibility or course compliance.
• Failure to update documentation with BEMS when there is a change in course coordinator and operating the course under non-compliant conditions.
• A supervisor or instructor fails to report observed or known unethical or dangerous behavior by a student. Particularly when the behavior may pose a risk to public safety, licensure compliance, or educational integrity.
• Minor administrative errors in documenting medical direction involvement or failing to provide proper verification of medical director approval.
• Failure to track and document student competencies in all domains (cognitive, psychomotor, and affective) as required by EMS Education Standards.
• Minor use of SMEs without proper documentation of qualifications or failure to validate that SMEs are appropriately supported by endorsed instructors.