Education
Upcoming Courses
IAMTCS Certifications
Certified Flight Communicator:
The Certified Flight Communicator (CFC) course is a two-day, in-person certification designed for communication specialists working in air medical and medical transport operations.
IAMTCS in-person courses are hosted by individual programs and delivered through instructor-led, interactive education. Courses emphasize applied learning, operational discussion, and real-world communication center scenarios.
Topics include, but are not limited to:
- Flight following and navigation fundamentals
- Map reading and situational awareness
- Aviation weather concepts
- Post-incident and accident response considerations
- Stress management and human factors
- Public relations and professional communication
- Medical terminology relevant to transport operations
Upon successful completion of the course and examination, participants earn Certified Flight Communicator (CFC) status, valid for three (3) years.
Communication Leadership Course:
The Communication Leadership Course (CLC) is a two-day, in-person course developed for communications center managers, supervisors, lead communicators, and experienced communication specialists preparing for leadership roles.
The CLC focuses on leadership development, decision-making, and operational oversight within medical transport communications, with emphasis on high-consequence environments and team dynamics.
Topics include, but are not limited to:
- Time-critical decision-making in aviation operations
- Advanced aviation weather concepts
- Team communication, briefing, and debriefing practices
- Risk assessment and operational awareness
- Recruitment, retention, and team development
- Disaster and emergency preparedness
- Stress recognition, fatigue, and sleep deprivation
- Shared experiences and lessons learned across programs
CFC Recertification Requirements
Certified Flight Communicators must maintain active IAMTCS membership and complete continuing education to remain in good standing during each three-year certification period.
Membership Requirement
- Maintain active IAMTCS membership throughout the three-year certification period.
- Membership status will be verified as part of the recertification process.
Continuing Education Requirement
- Complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education during the three-year certification cycle.
- All submitted continuing education must align with the IAMTCS curriculum.
Continuing education hours may be obtained through one or more of the following:
- In-house company or program training
- EMT or Paramedic refresher education
- Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) programs, including:
- Medical Transport Leadership Institute (MTLI)
- Safety Management Training Academy (SMTA)
- IAMTCS continuing education courses offered through the IAMTCS Learning Management System (LMS)
- Auditing an IAMTCS Certified Flight Communicator (CFC) course ($250)
No examination is required when recertifying through continuing education or course audit. For questions regarding recertification options or course auditing, contact the IAMTCS Education Committee.
Communication Leadership Course (CLC) and Recertification
The Communication Leadership Course (CLC) does not require routine recertification.
While the medical transport industry evolves rapidly and the CFC curriculum is updated regularly, the core principles of communications leadership change more gradually. IAMTCS recommends the CLC:
- For individuals new to communications center leadership roles
- As part of ongoing professional development throughout a leadership career
- As a refresher approximately every five (5) years
Interested in Hosting an IAMTCS Course?
IAMTCS in-person courses are hosted by partner programs and coordinated by IAMTCS. If you’re interested in hosting a course, the following information helps us begin planning:
- Proposed course dates or date range
- Which course you are interested in hosting (Certified Flight Communicator or Communication Leadership Course)
- Estimated number of participants
- Availability of a suitable classroom or conference space
- Name and contact information for the designated course coordinator
IAMTCS will work with the host program to confirm details, coordinate instructors, and support course planning.
For additional information or to start the hosting process, please contact the IAMTCS Education Team using the link below.
Online Course Offerings
IAMTCS offers an online version of the Certified Flight Communicator (CFC) course, delivered through the IAMTCS Learning Management System (LMS) and powered by Absorb LMS. This virtual option supports IAMTCS’s mission to advance education, standardization, and professional recognition for medical transport communication specialists worldwide.
In addition to the online CFC course, IAMTCS provides continuing education (CE) offerings through the LMS to support ongoing professional development and CFC recertification requirements. These courses are designed to be flexible, self-paced, and accessible to communication specialists at all stages of their careers.
To explore current online courses, continuing education offerings, and registration details, visit the IAMTCS LMS Dashboard.
Course Pricing & Certification Costs
IAMTCS offers multiple education and certification pathways to support communication specialists and communication center leaders at every stage of their career. The pricing below reflects instructor-led education, certification, recertification, and continuing education opportunities.
In-Person Instructor-Led Courses
Certified Flight Communicator (CFC)
Communication Leadership Course (CLC)
- Base course fee for host program: $3,000
- Covers up to eight (8) participants from the host program
- Applies regardless of attendance
- Includes 3-Year CFC Certification, IAMTCS Membership, and CEs through our LMS
- Effective cost is about $125 per person per year for certification, membership and CEs.
- Additional participants: $400 per person
- Applies to host-program participants beyond the first eight
- Applies to all non-host program participants
- Includes 3-Year CFC Certification, IAMTCS Membership, and CEs through our LMS
- Effective cost is about $133 per person per year for certification, membership and CEs.
In-person courses are coordinated and administered by IAMTCS and delivered by experienced IAMTCS instructors. Instructor travel expenses are covered by IAMTCS.
Online Courses and Continuing Education (LMS)
IAMTCS offers online education and continuing education through the IAMTCS Learning Management System (LMS), powered by Absorb.
- Online Certified Flight Communicator (CFC) course
- Continuing Education (CE) courses aligned with the IAMTCS curriculum
- On-demand access for certification maintenance and professional development
Pricing for online courses and CE offerings is listed directly within the IAMTCS LMS.
Certification and Recertification
Certified Flight Communicator (CFC)
- CFC certification is valid for three (3) years
- Requires active IAMTCS membership during the certification period
CFC Recertification Requirements
- Minimum of 24 hours of IAMTCS-approved continuing education within the three-year certification period
- CE hours may be earned through:
- IAMTCS LMS courses
- In-house program training aligned with the IAMTCS curriculum
- EMT or Paramedic refresher training
- AAMS Medical Transport Leadership Institute (MTLI) or Safety Management Training Academy (SMTA)
- Auditing an IAMTCS CFC course
CFC Recertification Fees
- $250 for IAMTCS members
- Includes CFC renewal and three (3) years of IAMTCS membership
- Certifications expired within six (6) months may be renewed by auditing a course
- Certifications expired more than six (6) months require retaking the full course
Communication Leadership Course (CLC)
The Communication Leadership Course does not require routine recertification.
The CLC is recommended for:
- New communication center leaders
- Lead communication specialists
- Ongoing leadership development
While the industry evolves, the core principles of communication leadership remain consistent. The CLC may be beneficial as a refresher approximately every five (5) years.
Sponsorships and Group Arrangements
IAMTCS courses and educational offerings may be supported through sponsorships or group arrangements. Sponsorship opportunities must be coordinated with IAMTCS leadership.
Questions or Next Steps?
For questions about pricing, hosting an in-person course, or selecting the right education pathway, please contact the IAMTCS Below.
