Mission
The mission of the Mississippi Board of Emergency Telecommunications Standards and Training (BETST) is to promote excellence and professionalism in public safety communications by establishing statewide standards for emergency telecommunicator certification, training, continuing education, instructor certification, and professional accountability.
Through these efforts, the Board works to ensure Mississippi's emergency telecommunicators receive the education, training, and professional development necessary to provide effective, reliable, and lifesaving emergency communications services that protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
About BETST
The Emergency Telecommunications Training Program (ETTP) was established by the Mississippi Legislature during the 1993 Regular Legislative Session through House Bill 901. Signed into law by Governor Kirk Fordice, the legislation became effective July 1, 1993.
The legislation established the Board of Emergency Telecommunications Standards and Training (BETST) to develop and administer statewide standards governing the certification and training of emergency telecommunicators.
Today, BETST serves as Mississippi's regulatory authority for emergency telecommunicator certification and training. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Office of Standards and Training (OST), provides administrative and fiscal support to the Board and oversees the day-to-day administration of the program.
Board Responsibilities
BETST is responsible for establishing and administering statewide standards for Mississippi's Emergency Telecommunications Training Program. These responsibilities include:
- Establishing minimum employment and certification standards for emergency telecommunicators.
- Establishing requirements for initial certification and re-certification.
- Establishing instructor certification standards and requirements.
- Reviewing and approving initial certification, continuing education, and specialized training courses.
- Establishing continuing education requirements and recognizing eligible training activities.
- Administering training reimbursement programs in accordance with Board policy and available funding.
- Monitoring agency and individual compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
- Adopting and maintaining policies governing emergency telecommunications certification and training.
- Conducting certification reviews and taking administrative or disciplinary action when authorized.
Program Funding
The Emergency Telecommunications Training Program is funded through assessments established by Mississippi law.
Program funds are deposited into a designated special fund and appropriated to support the administration of the program, certification activities, and eligible Board-approved training and reimbursement for Mississippi emergency telecommunicators.
Certification Requirements
Mississippi law requires individuals performing emergency telecommunications duties for eight (8) hours or more per month to obtain certification through BETST.
Emergency telecommunicators are generally required to complete initial certification within twelve (12) months of employment.
Agencies are responsible for ensuring their personnel meet all applicable employment qualifications, training requirements, certification standards, and continuing education requirements established by the Board.
Certification and training requirements may vary depending on the emergency services an individual is assigned to dispatch.
Initial Certification
Individuals seeking initial emergency telecommunicator certification must meet the applicable employment qualifications and successfully complete all required Board-approved training.
Initial certification requirements include:
- Basic Emergency Telecommunicator Training: Successful completion of a Board-approved Basic Emergency Telecommunicator Training course. Training required for initial certification must be completed in person.
- Telecommunicator CPR (TCPR): Successful completion of Board-approved TCPR training or qualifying Dispatcher-Directed CPR (DD-CPR) training, as applicable.
- Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD): Individuals whose duties include emergency medical dispatch must complete the applicable Board-approved EMD training and associated CPR requirements.
- Fire-Service Dispatch Training: Individuals seeking initial certification whose duties include dispatching fire-service resources must successfully complete a Board-approved fire-service dispatch or Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) training course.
- Additional Training Requirements: Completion of any other applicable orientation, specialized training, or documentation requirements established by Board policy.
Training requirements are based on the emergency services an individual is assigned to dispatch. Individuals assigned to multiple emergency service disciplines must satisfy the applicable requirements for those responsibilities.
Agencies must submit required employment, certification, and training documentation through ACADIS or other submission procedures authorized by the Office of Standards and Training. Agencies that have not yet transitioned to ACADIS should continue submitting the applicable forms and supporting documentation electronically as directed by the Office of Standards and Training.
Re-Certification and Continuing Education
Emergency telecommunicator certification is maintained through continuing education and compliance with applicable Board requirements.
Emergency telecommunicators must complete 48 hours of Board-approved continuing education during each three-year certification period.
Additional requirements and limitations include:
- Online Training: No more than 16 hours of online continuing education may be applied toward the required 48 hours.
- TCPR/DD-CPR: Applicable TCPR or qualifying DD-CPR training must be completed or renewed during each certification period. Eligible training counts toward the continuing education requirement but is excluded from the online training limitation.
- Conferences: No more than two conferences may be used for continuing education credit during each certification period.
- Ride-Along Training: Up to eight hours of continuing education credit may be awarded for qualifying, documented ride-along participation during each certification period.
- Approved Training: Continuing education must meet applicable Board approval requirements to qualify toward re-certification.
Agencies are responsible for monitoring the certification status of their personnel, maintaining accurate training records, and submitting re-certification requests using the procedures currently authorized by the Office of Standards and Training.
For agencies utilizing ACADIS, continuing education training must be entered and approved in the system before it can be applied toward a certification renewal. Agencies not yet utilizing ACADIS should continue submitting required re-certification documentation electronically in accordance with current instructions.
Individuals returning to emergency telecommunications employment following a break in service may be subject to additional requirements depending on their certification status and length of separation.
Instructor Certification
BETST establishes certification standards for individuals providing Board-approved emergency telecommunications training.
Instructor certification requirements address professional qualifications, instructional experience, application procedures, certification renewal, instructional activity, and professional conduct.
Board-certified instructors are expected to comply with applicable Board policies, approved curriculum requirements, and the Instructor Code of Ethics.
Individuals seeking initial instructor certification or renewal should review Chapter 11 of the BETST Policy and Procedures Manual for current requirements and procedures.
Additional guidance and instructional resources may be provided by the Office of Standards and Training.
Training Reimbursement
BETST administers a training reimbursement program to assist eligible agencies with expenses associated with approved emergency telecommunications training.
Reimbursement may include eligible tuition, salary, travel, lodging, meals, and other authorized expenses, subject to applicable Board policies, state travel regulations, and available funding.
Reimbursement eligibility and allowable expenses depend on the type of training, agency compliance status, supporting documentation, and applicable reimbursement limitations.
Agencies should review Chapter 6 of the BETST Policy and Procedures Manual and the current published tuition reimbursement schedule before submitting reimbursement requests.
Agency Responsibilities and Compliance
Agencies employing emergency telecommunicators are responsible for maintaining compliance with applicable Mississippi law and BETST policies.
Agency responsibilities include:
- Ensuring personnel meet minimum employment and certification qualifications.
- Monitoring initial certification and re-certification deadlines.
- Ensuring required training and continuing education are completed.
- Maintaining accurate employment, certification, and training records.
- Reporting hires, transfers, re-hires, additional employment, and separations through ACADIS or other authorized reporting procedures.
- Submitting required information and documentation to the Office of Standards and Training.
- Cooperating with applicable compliance reviews and corrective action procedures.
Failure to comply with applicable requirements may result in administrative action or affect eligibility for certain reimbursements or funding, as provided by law and Board policy.
Certification and Training Records
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety utilizes ACADIS as its designated records system for emergency telecommunicator employment, certification, continuing education, and related records. The Office of Standards and Training is continuing to transition agencies and program processes to the system.
Depending on an agency's current access and authorized submission procedures, applicable records may be submitted through ACADIS or by electronically transmitting required forms and supporting documentation to the Office of Standards and Training.
These processes include:
- Initial employment and hiring records.
- Applications for initial certification.
- Certification renewals.
- Continuing education and training records.
- Agency transfers, re-hires, and additional employment.
- Employment separations.
Agencies should continue following the submission procedures currently authorized for their agency until otherwise instructed by the Office of Standards and Training.
Agencies utilizing ACADIS should refer to the current step-by-step guides and instructional resources for assistance with applicable processes.
Administrative Rules and Program Resources
The Board adopts administrative rules governing emergency telecommunicator certification, instructor certification, continuing education, training reimbursement, agency compliance, certification reviews, disciplinary procedures, and other program requirements.
These rules are established pursuant to Mississippi law and govern the administration of the Emergency Telecommunications Training Program.