Assemblyman Chris Tague (R,C,I-Schoharie) is joining with his Assembly Minority colleagues in a letter to Gov. Cuomo and Commissioner of Health Howard Zucker bringing attention to an unexpected consequence of the end of New York’s state of emergency that affects the ability of recent EMS and paramedic graduates to begin working.

Rather than taking the standard state exam, which was unable to be converted to a digital format in time for test dates, recent graduates could take the test used in every state but New York, the National Registry for EMTs examinations.

Passing scores on this test were accepted because the Department of Health EMS Bureau, at the time, had expansive authority under the governor’s emergency orders. Following the June 24, 2021 sunsetting of this order, the bureau is no longer able to issue their certifications, and graduates consequently cannot work.

While graduates now can retake the standard state exam, Tague hopes graduates will be able to avoid the redundant and burdensome task of taking the other exam.

“Putting these graduates to work will quite literally save lives,” said Tague. “So, I am eager to work with the governor and health commissioner to remedy this problem and get these people certified and out helping the public.”

The letter is attached.