How Do I Become an EMT in California?

The Rundown On How To Gain EMT Certification in California:

The certification issued by NREMT establishes you as an Emergency Medical Technician at the national level. After obtaining National Registry Certification, you can apply for the license from the California department of Emergency Medical Services. The candidate must complete a state approved EMT training course, after which the candidate is able to apply for the NREMT examination. An EMT professional will not get an EMT certificate until and unless he/she takes the training and passes the necessary NREMT examination. The examination consists of a computerized written exam, as well as a practical skills test.

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.

What are the Requirements to Get an EMT Certificate in California?

  • The candidate should meet the minimum age requirement of being 18 years old.
  • You must complete EMT training from a program, this program must be 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) training.
  • 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.

What is the Process of EMT Certification?

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

Step 1: Get EMT Training

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

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.

EMS Training Facilities in California:

  • American River College
    Address: 4700, College Oak Drive, Sacramento, California- 95841
    Contact Number: (916) 484-8011
    Official Website: http://www.arc.losrios.edu/
  • City College of San Francisco
    Address: 50, Phelan Avenue, San Francisco, California- 94112
    Contact Number: (415) 239-3000
    Official Website:http://www.ccsf.edu
  • East Los Angeles College
    Address: 1301, Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park, California- 91754-6099
    Contact Number: (323) 265-8650
    Official Website: http://www.elac.edu/
  • El Camino College
    Address: 16007, Crenshaw Boulevard, Torrance, California- 90506
    Contact Number: 310-532-3670
    Official Website:http://www.elcamino.edu/
  • Fresno City College
    Address: 1101, East University Avenue, Fresno, California- 93741
    Contact Number: (559) 442-4600
    Fax: (559) 489-2281
    Official Website: http://www.fresnocitycollege.edu/
  • Mt. San Antonio College
    Address: 1100, North Grand Avenue, Walnut, California- 91789
    Contact Number: 909-274-7500
    Official Website:http://www.mtsac.edu/
  • Palomar College
    Address: 1140, West Mission Road, San Marcos, California- 92069-1487
    Contact Number: 1-760-744-1150
    Official Website:http://www.palomar.edu/
  • Saddleback College
    Address: 28000, Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, California- 92692
    Contact Number: (949) 582-4500
    Official Website: http://www.saddleback.edu/
  • Santa Rosa Junior College
    Address: 1501, Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, California- 95401
    Contact Number: (707) 527-4011
    Official Website: http://www.santarosa.edu/
  • Southwestern College
    Address: 900, Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, California- 91910
    Contact Number: (619) 421-6700
    Official Website: http://www.swccd.edu/
  • University of Antelope Valley
    Address: 44055, North Sierra Highway, Lancaster, California- 93534
    Contact Number: (661) 726-1-911
    Fax: (661) 726-5158
    Official Website:http://www.uav.edu/
  • Butte College
    Address: 3536, Butte Campus Drive, Oroville, California- 95965
    Contact Number: (530) 895-2511
    Official Website:http://www.butte.edu/
  • Crafton Hills College
    Address: 11711, Sand Canyon Road, Yucaipa, California- 92399
    Contact Number: 909-794-2161
    Official Website: http://www.craftonhills.edu/
  • Cuesta College
    Address: P.O. Box- 8106, San Luis Obispo, California- 93403-8106
    Contact Number: (805) 546-3100
    Official Website: http://www.cuesta.edu/
  • Imperial Valley College
    Address: 380, East Aten Road, Imperial, California- 92251
    Contact Number: 760-352-8320
    Official Website:http://www.imperial.edu/
  • Los Angeles County Health Services
    Address: 10100, Pioneer Boulevard, Suite- 200, Santa Fe Springs, California- 90670
    Contact Number: (562) 347-1500
    Fax: (562) 941-5835
    Official Address:http://ems.dhs.lacounty.gov/
  • Mendocino College
    Address: 1000, Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah, California- 95482
    Contact Number: (707) 468-3000
    Official Address:http://www.mendocino.edu/
  • National College of Technical Instruction
    Address: 333, Sunrise Avenue, Suite- 500, Roseville, California- 95661
    Contact Number: 916-960-6284
    Official Address:http://ncti.edu/
  • UCLA Center for Prehospital Care
    Address: 10990, Wilshire Boulevard, Suite-1450, Los Angeles, California- 90024
    Contact Number: (310) 267-5959
    Fax: (310) 312-9322
    Official Website: https://www.cpc.mednet.ucla.edu/
  • Ventura College
    Address: 4667, Telegraph Road, Ventura, California- 93003
    Contact Number: (805) 289-6000
    Official Website:http://www.venturacollege.edu/
  • Victor Valley College
    Address: 10, Commercial Boulevard, Suite- 204, Novato, California- 94949
    Contact Number: (415) 506-0234
    Official Website:http://www.vvc.edu/
  • Foothill College
    Address: 4000 Middlefield Road Suite I, Palo Alto, CA  94303
    Contact Number: (650) 949-6955
    Official Website: https://foothill.edu/bio

California EMS Contact Information:

The Emergency Medical Services Authority

10901 Gold Center Drive, Suite 400
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

  • EMSA Main Phone Number: (916) 322-4336
  • FAX: (916) 322-1441
  • Paramedic Licensure: (916) 323-9875
  • Licensure Fax: (916) 324-2875

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