Thank you for your interest in the Health Information Network's HIV/AIDS Licensing Course. We would like to clarify how many hours of HIV/AIDS training you are required to take by Washington State law, and how this can be accomplished.

In 1988, the Washington State Legislature passed the AIDS Omnibus Act, which included an HIV education requirement for any health care provider licensed through the Department of Health/Health Professions Quality Assurance Licensing Division. EMT/EMS providers are required to have 7 hours of HIV/AIDS training. However in October 1997, the Washington State Office of Emergency Medical and Trauma Prevention changed their policy so that HIV/AIDS training could be accomplished either through their Infections Disease Prevention Manual for EMS Providers Revised October 1997, or the current Department of Health 7 hour HIV/AIDS education program.

The WA State Office of Emergency Medical and Trauma Prevention revised 4 hour HIV curriculum is offered periodically through the King County EMS Division and other Fire Districts. According to WA State, EMS/EMT providers are required to receive their HIV training via a live course, where there is a knowledgeable instructor available to respond to questions and clarify concerns. Health Information Network offers the Department of Health 7 hour HIV/AIDS education course twice a month, and our certificates showing completion of our HIV course are accepted by the WA State Emergency Medical and Trauma Prevention. We also offer the Department of Health 4 hour HIV/AIDS education course, but it will not fulfill your licensing requirement. We want to make sure this point is very clear so there are no misunderstandings.

Also, our HIV/AIDS course and the Blood Borne Pathogens training are two separate requirements which are not interchangeable. Completing one or the other will not satisfy both requirements.

Many EMT/EMS providers seeking reciprocity have taken our 7 hour course and felt it was worthwhile, and provided additional training they had not received from their previous employer or agency.

We look forward to serving you. Thank you again for your interest in our courses.