(A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall provide for the examination of applicants for certification to practice as first responders, emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and emergency medical technicians-paramedic. The examinations shall be established by the board in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The board may administer the examinations or contract with other persons to administer the examinations. In either case, the examinations shall be administered pursuant to procedures established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code and shall be offered at various locations in the state selected by the board.

Except as provided in division (B) of this section, an applicant shall not be permitted to take an examination for the same certificate to practice more than three times since last receiving the certificate of completion pursuant to section 4765.24 of the Revised Code that qualifies the applicant to take the examination unless the applicant receives another certificate of completion that qualifies the applicant to take the examination.

(B) On request of an applicant who fails three examinations for the same certificate to practice, the board may direct the applicant to complete a specific portion of an accredited emergency medical services training program. If the applicant provides satisfactory proof to the board that the applicant has successfully completed that portion of the program, the applicant shall be permitted to take the examination.