Challenge requirements
From SPVSP
Persons with advanced medical training may be able to challenge the OEC course, meaning that they will need to only briefly familiarize themselves with ski-patrol specific medical tools before being permitted to sit for a written and practical examination, significantly affecting the length of the course. The testing does not greatly differ from the 'regular' OEC test - written exam and a few skill stations and scenarios.
The criteria for challenging are as follows, taken from the NSP instructor guidebook:
- Challenge applicants must meet one or more of the following:
- Emergency trained and currently certified as: EMT, MD/DO, PA/NP, RN, or LPN.
- Previous OEC certification provided the expired OEC certification date has not exceeded three years.
- Certain wilderness first responders whose courses have a minimum of 72 hours of course work (currently approved are WMI, WMA, and SOLO).
- Other certifications may be approved by the national education director after consultation with the national OEC Program director. This is based upon the submission and review of appropriate curriculum materials.
- Challenge time requirements (total hours) will vary with background, specialty, and experience.
- Challenges must be registered separately from courses.
- Challenge applicants must practice skills with an OEC instructor prior to the challenge testing.
- If the OEC challenge applicant fails any portion of the challenge examination, there is no retest opportunity and the applicant must then participate in a full OEC course.