ASTM F1031-22

Standard Practice for Training the Emergency Medical Technician (Basic)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The purpose of this practice is to provide standardized means of providing Emergency Medical Technician training. The practice should be used by all individuals and agencies that train such persons.  
4.2 Successful completion of this course of training neither constitutes nor implies certification or licensure.  
4.3 This practice adopts the knowledge and skill objectives contained in the NHSTA curriculum (latest version) as the standard practice for training those persons who provide emergency medical care at the basic life support level and are known as Emergency Medical Technicians. The actual lesson plans contained in the referenced document are recommended for use; however, each instructor may modify the order of presentation according to local needs.  
4.4 This practice outlines a comprehensive course that covers most common emergencies encountered by the Emergency Medical Technician. Emergency Medicine Technician courses that do not include all of the knowledge and skill objectives of this practice may not be referred to as meeting this standard.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a standard course for the training of the Emergency Medical Technician which will prepare a person to perform those skills commonly required to render lifesaving aid at the scene of an emergency and during transportation to a definitive care facility.  
1.2 It is not the intent of this practice to require that the curriculum be used exactly as presented, but only that the knowledge and skill objectives that are part of the curriculum be included in any course purporting to train an Emergency Medical Technician. It is not the intent of this practice to limit the addition of knowledge and skill objectives as required by local conditions.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Mar-2022
• ICS: 11.160 - First aid
• Technical Committee: F30 - Emergency Medical Services
• Drafting Committee: F30.02 - Personnel, Training and Education

Overview

ASTM F1031-22: Standard Practice for Training the Emergency Medical Technician (Basic) establishes a standardized approach for the training of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) at the basic life support level. Published by ASTM, this international standard sets forth the essential knowledge and skill objectives required for individuals who will provide lifesaving care at emergency scenes and during patient transport to healthcare facilities. The practice is designed to ensure consistent training quality for EMTs across agencies and regions, supporting the effective delivery of emergency medical services (EMS).

Key Topics

• Standardized Curriculum: The standard adopts the EMT training objectives from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) curriculum. All courses must cover the core knowledge and skill objectives specified by this curriculum.
• Comprehensive Course Framework: The standard outlines training that addresses a broad range of medical emergencies, ensuring EMTs are prepared for real-world situations.
• Flexibility for Local Needs: While the content objectives are mandatory, instructors may modify lesson order and add additional objectives to accommodate local requirements or address unique community health issues.
• Certification and Licensure Clarification: Completion of an ASTM F1031-22 compliant course does not, by itself, equate to certification or licensure as an EMT. Recognition or credentialing is subject to local governing authorities.
• Alignment with International Principles: This practice was developed in accordance with internationally recognized standards development principles, ensuring global relevance and acceptance.

Applications

ASTM F1031-22 is highly relevant for:

• EMS Training Providers: All institutions and agencies responsible for training EMT personnel can utilize this standard to ensure comprehensive and uniform educational content.
• State and Local Authorities: Regulatory bodies can reference this practice when evaluating or accrediting EMT training programs and ensuring alignment with national standards.
• Instructors and Educators: EMT instructors can use the framework to structure courses, modify lesson sequencing, and supplement content to address local healthcare needs.
• Quality Assurance and Assessment: The standard provides a benchmark for auditing and improving EMT training programs to ensure all critical competencies for basic life support are covered.
• Program Development: Organizations establishing new EMT training courses can use ASTM F1031-22 as a foundational guideline for curriculum development and implementation.

Related Standards

• National EMS Scope of Practice Model: Defines the national-level scope for EMS personnel roles and responsibilities.
• National EMS Education Standards: Details educational objectives and competencies for EMS education at all levels.
• NHTSA EMT Curriculum: The core reference for knowledge and skill objectives in EMT training, recognized and adopted by ASTM F1031-22.
• ISO and WTO TBT Principles: Ensures the standard is developed in line with international best practices for standardization and technical regulations, facilitating compatibility and mutual recognition worldwide.

Keywords: EMT training, EMS education, ASTM F1031-22, emergency medical technician, NHTSA curriculum, basic life support, emergency medical services, standardized curriculum, international standard, EMT course requirements

By adhering to ASTM F1031-22, organizations and instructors contribute to a consistent, high-quality EMT training environment that supports public health, strengthens EMS systems, and improves patient outcomes in emergency care settings.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1031 − 22
Standard Practice for
Training the Emergency Medical Technician (Basic)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1031; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This practice covers a standard course for the training of 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
the Emergency Medical Technician which will prepare a
3.1.1 emergency medical technician (EMT) (NHTSA)—the
person to perform those skills commonly required to render
primary focus of the Emergency Medical Technician is to
lifesaving aid at the scene of an emergency and during
provide basic emergency medical care and transportation for
transportation to a definitive care facility.
critical and emergent patients who access the emergency
1.2 It is not the intent of this practice to require that the
medical system.This individual possesses the basic knowledge
curriculum be used exactly as presented, but only that the
and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation.
knowledge and skill objectives that are part of the curriculum
Emergency Medical Technicians function as part of a compre-
be included in any course purporting to train an Emergency
hensive EMS response, under medical oversight. Emergency
Medical Technician. It is not the intent of this practice to limit
Medical Technicians perform interventions with the basic
the addition of knowledge and skill objectives as required by
equipment typically found on an ambulance. The Emergency
local conditions.
Medical Technician is a link from the scene to the emergency
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
health care system. Emergency Medical Technicians’ scope of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
practice includes basic, noninvasive interventions to reduce the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
morbidity and mortality associated with acute out-of-hospital
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
medical and traumatic emergencies. Emergency care is based
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
on assessment findings.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents
4.1 The purpose of this practice is to provide standardized
2.1 National Highway Traffıc Safety Administration:
means of providing Emergency Medical Technician training.
National EMS Scope of Practice Model
Thepracticeshouldbeusedbyallindividualsandagenciesthat
National EMS Education Standards
train such persons.
2.2 U.S. Department of Transportation/National Highway
Traffıc Safety Administration: 4.2 Successful completion of this course of training neither
Emergency Medical Technician—Ambulance: National constitutes nor implies certification or licensure.
Standard Curriculum, Course Guide, latest version
4.3 This practice adopts the knowledge and skill objectives
Emergency Medical Technician—Ambulance: National
contained in the NHSTA curriculum (latest version) as the
Standard Curriculum, Instructor’s Lesson Plans, latest
standard practice for training those persons who provide
version
emergency medical care at the basic life support level and are
known as Emergenc
...