EMT Certification in California

The certification issued by NREMT establishes you as an Emergency Medical Technician at the national level. After obtaining the national level EMT certificate, you can apply for the license from the local department of Emergency Medical Services. After completing the state approved EMT program, the candidate must apply for the NREMT examination. An EMT professional will not get an EMT certificate until and unless he/she takes the program and passes the necessary NREMT examination.

EMT certificate in California remains valid for a period of 2 years. After that, you need to renew it in order to continue your work in this field.

Requirements to Get EMT Certificate in California

• The candidate should meet the minimum age requirements, i.e., eighteen years.
• You must get EMT program from a program, which is accredited by the state of California.
• Passing the NREMT examination is also mandatory.
• The candidates are also required to complete a state-approved CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) program.
• It is important for the candidates to be bodily strong and mentally sound.
• A proof of the citizenship of the United States should also be provided by the candidates.
• A background check of the candidates is also compulsory.
• The candidate must have fluency in English language.

Special requirements are:

• The candidate in California must provide the applicable fees along with the application for the certification process.
• Qualifying the practical exam, conducted by the state, is also needed.

Process of EMT Certification

The following steps are involved in acquiring the process of EMT certification in California:

Step 1: Get EMT Program

The first step needed to get certified as an EMT is a state-approved EMT program, which involves both didactic classes, as well as field program.

Step 2: Application for National Certification

Exams for EMT, AEMT and Paramedic level of certification is taken by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).  The candidate needs to follow the following process in order to apply for certification:

• Firstly, the candidate will be required to create an account on the NREMT website through an option of “Create New Account”.
• The option of “Create Initial Entry Application” will let the candidate create a new application.
• Now, you must pay the application fee soon after completing the online application process. Though, you can also pay later.
• The candidate is also required to check his/her application status regularly by logging in through the username and password, with which, he/she has created the account on the website. Go to the homepage and click on the option of “Check Initial Entry Application Status” for checking your “Authorization to Test” (ATT) Letter.
• If the link “Submitted” appears next to the option of “Course Completion Verification”, it is an indication that the website has submitted your application details, and it is waiting for the education program director to confirm the completion of your course.
• However, if “Not Submitted” appears on your account next to the option of “Application Payment”, it indicates that you are required to pay the application fee before receiving your ATT Letter.
• The option of “Print ATT Letter” will appear only when you have paid the fee and your education program director has verified the process of course completion.
• Now, take out a printed copy of your ATT Letter and set a date for your exam.

You will find the detailed instructions about scheduling your NREMT examination on your ATT Letter.

Step 3: Background Check of the Candidate

A check on the background of the candidate is very important in order to apply for certification. It includes fingerprint report and a valid photo id of the candidate. Live Scan Fingerprint Services takes the fingerprints of the candidates. You may contact the local “Live Scan Provider” for seeking any other information.

Step 4: Apply for State Certification

After successfully passing the criminal background check, as well as the NREMT test, the candidate need to apply at the local EMS department in order to get his/her EMT certification card. The state EMT certification in California remains valid only for 2 years from the date; it has been issued by the EMS agency.

Step 5: Get Ambulance Drivers Certificate

In order to complete this step, the candidate needs to pass a written paper of “Ambulance Driver”. It will be very helpful if you purchase an “Ambulance Drivers Handbook” from DMV worth $5.00, which will guide you before taking up the exam.

The candidates, who fulfill the following requirements, are considered eligible for getting an Ambulance Drivers Certificate:

• The candidate must be of 18 years old or more.
• The candidate must possess a valid driving license in California, which should not be on departmental probation.
• The candidate must make a payment of $25 to get an original certificate, and $12.00 if he/she wants a duplicate copy, name change or a renewal of the earlier one.
• The candidate needs to pass a written examination of Ambulance Driver.
• A completed application for “Live Scan Service” form should also be provided by the candidate.
• The candidate should either provide a medical examination report or Department of Transportation or Acceptable Federal Aviation Administration medical form.

Renewal of EMT Certificate in California

These are the general requirements for the recertification process of EMT, AEMT and Paramedics in California.

• The candidate should complete the online application for the renewal of his/her EMT certificate.
• The candidate must be actively involved as an Emergency Medical Technician in a medical-care facility.
• The candidate must finish Continuing Education (CE) or he/she should complete an approved refresher course.
• It is mandatory for the candidate in California to provide a signed copy of “EMT Skills Competency Verification Form”.
• The candidate must submit a copy of valid identification proof- a driving license, birth certificate, or passport.
• Another important requirement is the copy of the current EMT certificate of the candidate.
• It is compulsory for the candidate to submit a copy of his/her current CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) card.
• A proof of their cognitive competency should be proved either through an examination or Continuing Education (CE).
• An applicable fee is also required to be paid by the candidate.

EMT-Basic

• A refresher course of 24 hours must be completed by the candidate along with additional program of 48 hours.
• A payment of $15.00 must be made by the candidate.

AEMT-Advanced EMT

• The candidate should complete a 36-hour refresher course, and 36 hours of additional program.
• He/she must pay a non-refundable fee of $15.00.

Paramedic

• A 48-hour refresher course is mandatory to be completed by the candidate along with 24 hours of added EMT program.
• He must make a payment of non-refundable fee of $20.00.