Crafton’s Paramedic Program Director advocates against State proposed licensure increase - Crafton Hills College

Publish Date: Oct. 10, 2023

California Emergency Medical Services Authority Seal

Director of Crafton Hills College’s Emergency Medical Services Program Amanda Ward has always been an advocate for her college and her program. So, when she learned the state legislature was considering increasing paramedic licensure fees, Ward traveled across the state to oppose any such increase.

“It was something the students never knew was coming their way,” explained Ward, herself a program alumnus.

Ward said increased fees were proposed for CA Title 22, which fixes paramedic licensure fees and is currently open to changes. She traveled to state commission meetings in Sacramento, San Diego, Anaheim, and San Francisco to speak against the proposed increases during public comment, which are required for such meetings.

“My hope was to stop [the increase] from happening, which I was successful in doing,” she said. “Moving forward, I will be advocating for lower fees.”

Currently, Crafton’s Paramedic Program offers three cohorts per year. Coursework is broken down into three sections:

  • Didactic, which is composed of approximately 450 hours of lectures, interactive presentations, skill labs, and simulations.
  • A clinical internship with partner agencies to expose students to real-life scenarios.
  • Field work that allows program participants to “put it all together” in uncontrolled environments.

The program costs students close to $5,000 for fees and equipment and does not include costs associated with licensing, an additional $1,300.

Ward will continue to advocate for her students and focus on the well-being of all who enroll in Crafton’s world-class efforts to grow the profession.

“Paramedic programs are vital to the state in training entry-level responders to respond to emergencies,” she said. “With the costs of exam and licensure fees already the highest in the country, raising these rates again would only increase the barriers that paramedic students are facing at the end of their programs, thus slowing their ability to enter a workforce that desperately needs them.”

To learn more about Crafton’s Paramedic Program, go to www.craftonhills.edu.