FAQs – for PHTLS Instructors/Potential
Instructors
I have already taken the Generic Instructor Course (GIC) / I am currently a PALS/ ALS/
APLS/ BATLS Instructor. Do I still need to do the PHTLS Instructor Course?
No but you will have to attend a PHTLS Provider course as a candidate prior to teaching. If
successful, you will be given Instructor candidate (IC) status, allowing you to bypass the PHTLS
Instructor Course. You will be required to teach on the Provider course within 1 year and be
assessed on your teaching abilities on lecturing skills and teaching the skill station. If successful you
become a PHTLS Instructor.
How long is my PHTLS Instructor status/Certificate valid for?
4 years from the successful completion of an Instructor Candidacy course (when you became an
Instructor for the first time) or the Provider course on which you reverified (renewed) your status.
How can I renew my PHTLS Instructor status?
In order to maintain current PHTLS Instructor status Instructors must partake in an assessment of
their teaching abilities (on lecturing skills and teaching the skill station) on a Provider course they will
be teaching on. This must take place in a 12-month window, 6 months either side of the expiry date
of your Instructor status.
Do I need to renew my PHTLS Provider status as well as my Instructor status?
No. Once you become an instructor you only need to reverify (renew) your Instructor status. If you
can teach the content we assume you can provide it.
PHTLS Jargon Buster!
Course Administrators / Co-ordinators – staff at course centres you can contact regarding the
PHTLS courses. They will be your contact point and provide you with more information on how to
enrol.
IP (Instructor potential) – a Provider who wishes to become an Instructor needs to score at least
85% on their MCQ and there needs to be faculty consensus that they are eligible to undertake PHTLS
Instructor course.
The IP status lasts 2 years during which they need to complete the Instructor course.
Upon the completion of the Instructor course they become Instructor Candidate (IC).
IC (Instructor Candidate) - Status lasts 1 year during which candidates need to teach on a Provider
course and be assessed on their teaching abilities on lecturing skills and teaching the skill station.
If successful they become PHTLS Instructor.
Instructor – a person who has gained a status of a PHTLS Instructor. Status lasts for 4 years after
which candidates need to reverify.
MCQ – Multiple Choice Questionnaire.
Moulage – a scenario using actors who have been made up to look as though they have been in an
accident. Used to test participants’ practical skills.
NAEMT – National Association of Emergency Medical Technichians. An USA organisation
responsible for PHTLS.
PHTLS – Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support.
Providers – another name for students who have passed their PHTLS Provider (student) course.
Reverification (also called Revalidation/ Recertification) – used for both Providers and
Instructors.
When a Provider’s status expires after 4 years they need to reverify their status by attending the
second day of a Provider course.
When an Instructor’s status expires after 4 years they need to reverify their status by being assessed
on a Provider course they will be teaching on.
SCOPE – online course evaluation which students need to complete in order to receive a certificate
for the course.
Skills stations – A teaching station where participants are taught practical skills.
Triage scenarios – discussion group used to help candidates ascertain the order of priority for
patients in a fictional situation.
