Beaufort County Community College’s Paramedic Certificate program has earned national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), marking the culmination of a four-year process for the college’s Emergency Medical Services program. This makes the Paramedic program the second nationally accredited program at BCCC, joining the Medical Laboratory Technology program.
Accreditation Details
The accreditation, effective July 15, 2026, was based on a recommendation from the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). Reviewers cited no areas of non-compliance, evaluating the program against the 2023 Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in the Emergency Medical Services Professions. CAAHEP accreditation does not expire and remains in effect until the CAAHEP Board of Directors approves a change in status. The program’s next evaluation is scheduled for 2031.
The accreditation process involved a site visit and an evaluation of an in-progress yearlong class.
“This accreditation reflects four years of dedicated work by our EMS staff, and it confirms that our paramedic graduates are trained to the highest national standard,” said Dr. David Loope, president of Beaufort County Community College.
“Earning CAAHEP accreditation validates the rigor of our curriculum and the skill of our instructors, and it gives our students, and the agencies that hire them, added confidence in the quality of their training,” said Billy Respass, director of EMS programs at BCCC.
About the Program
The Paramedic program follows guidelines established by the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services and CoAEMSP. It includes both online and in-person instruction designed to prepare EMTs and Advanced EMTs for the North Carolina or National Registry Paramedic Certification Exam.
The program often draws students from across North Carolina. Since its inception in 2013, it has produced 123 graduates across 10 cohorts and holds a 99.6% pass rate for the North Carolina Paramedic Certification Exam.