Epinephrine Auto-Injector Information
State law allows physicians to prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors to businesses and the general public with proper training and certification. The epinephrine certification card issued by the EMSA allows an individual to obtain a prescription for and administer an epinephrine auto-injector to a person experiencing anaphylaxis, with civil liability protection.
EPINEPHRINE CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Epinephrine Certification Application: Please disregard epinephrine certification application instructions and read Epinephrine Application Instructions.
For those wishing to obtain an Epinephrine Certification, please review these steps:
1. Using these instructions, Epinephrine Application Instructions [PDF], submit the following:
● An Epi Certification Application [PDF]
● Proof of completion of CPR and First Aid for Adults, Children and Infants
● Proof of completion of an EMSA-Approved Epinephrine Training Program
● Check or money order in the amount of $15.00, made out to “Specialized First Aid Fund”
2. EMSA staff have 30 calendar days to process your payment and review your application.
3. Within 30 days of receipt, EMSA staff will either:
● Approve your application,
OR
● Send a deficiency letter, notifying you of any missing items you must submit to complete your application.
4. Once your application is complete and approved, EMSA will mail you an approval letter and certification card, which includes the dates of your certification cycle.
5. Once approved, you may also view your certification information in the Central Registry public look-up.
For those wishing to renew an Epinephrine Certification, please review these steps:
1. Using these instructions, Epinephrine Application Instructions [PDF], submit the following:
● An Epi Certification Application [PDF]
● Proof of completion of CPR and First Aid for Adults, Children and Infants
● Proof of completion of an EMSA-Approved Epinephrine Training Program
● Check or money order in the amount of $15.00, made out to “Specialized First Aid Fund”
2. EMSA staff have 30 calendar days to process your payment and review your application.
3. Within 30 days of receipt, EMSA staff will either:
● Approve your renewal,
OR
● Send a deficiency letter, notifying you of any missing items you must submit to complete your renewal.
4. Once your application is complete and approved, EMSA will mail you a renewal letter and certification card, which includes the new dates of your certification cycle.
5. Once renewed, you may also view your certification information in the Central Registry public look-up.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
See Health & Safety Code 1797.197(g) : This section does not apply to a school district or county office of education, or its personnel, that provides and utilizes epinephrine auto-injectors to provide emergency medical aid pursuant to Section 49414 of the Education Code.
You may obtain the training, become certified, and obtain a prescription for Epipen auto-injectors, however, the certification does not extend to include elementary or high school campuses.
Are off-duty EMS personnel considered “lay rescuers” under the law when off-duty?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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- Dates of receipt, use and destruction of each auto-injector dispensed, and
- The name of any person to whom epinephrine was administered by using an auto-injector, and
- The circumstances and manner of disposal of any auto-injectors
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Training Program Approval Information
For those wishing to become an EMSA-approved epinephrine auto-injector training program, please review these steps:
1. Submit the following:
Option 1:
● A completed Training Program Checklist [PDF], including all attachments
● Check or money order in the amount of $500.00, made out to “Specialized First Aid Fund”
OR
Option 2:
● Your written request for renewed training program approval (in-lieu-of Part I of the Checklist)
● All items identified in the Training Program Checklist [PDF],
● Check or money order in the amount of $500.00, made out to “Specialized First Aid Fund
2. EMSA staff will notify you of receipt of your program materials upon their arrival at EMSA.
3. EMSA staff then have 60 days to review your training program materials and either:
● Approve your application and program materials,
OR
● Send a modification letter, notifying you of any missing items you must submit to complete your application
4. Once your application is complete and approved, EMSA will:
● Send you an approval letter and program certificate, indicating your four-year approval cycle
● Add your program to EMSA’s public Training Program Database.
For those wishing to renew an EMSA-approved epinephrine auto-injector training program, please review these steps:
1. Submit the following:
Option 1:
● A completed Training Program Checklist [PDF], including all attachments
● Check or money order in the amount of $500.00, made out to “Specialized First Aid Fund”
OR
Option 2:
● Your written request for renewed training program approval (in-lieu-of Part I of the Checklist)
● All items identified in the Training Program Checklist [PDF],
● Check or money order in the amount of $500.00, made out to “Specialized First Aid Fund
2. EMSA staff will notify you of receipt of your program materials upon their arrival at EMSA.
3. EMSA staff then have 60 days to review your training program materials and either:
● Approve your renewal,
OR
● Send a modification letter, notifying you of any missing items you must submit to complete your program renewal
4. Once your application is complete and approved, EMSA will:
● Send you a re-approval letter and program certificate, indicating your new four-year approval cycle
● Update your program expiration date in EMSA’s public Training Program Database.
Find a Training Program Near You!
Find Epinephrine Auto-injector Training and Certification for lay-rescuers and off-duty EMS personnel.
Please contact the programs directly for their course offerings.
The EMSA does not schedule or register participants for classes.
Contact the Epinephrine Certification Program!
We are located at: