PARAMEDIC LICENSURE
NOTIFICATION – Due to supply chain shortages, paramedic license cards and associated approval letter mailing is delayed. Please refer to the Central Registry Public Look-Up for license status verification.
Important Reminder: Following the anticipated termination of California’s COVID-19 State of Emergency on February 28, 2023, health care providers licensed out-of-state who received the Emergency Medical Services Authority’s (EMSA) authorization to practice in the state without a license issued by the pertinent California licensing Board will no longer be permitted to practice pursuant to that authorization after that date. Health care providers who have not received California licensure and wish to continue practicing, should check with the specific licensing Board for information on how to obtain licensure in California and/or temporary licensure options.
Please note, individuals wishing to continue to practice in California should submit an application and the necessary documentation for licensure immediately as the EMSA out-of-state medical personnel authorization approval concludes on February 28, 2023 and no further practice pursuant to that authorization will be permitted.
The State of California requires all persons that provide paramedic level scope of practice emergency medical services to obtain a valid state issued paramedic license. UPDATE: Paramedic Renewals* (non-audit, no new disclosures) are now processed same-day via the Online Licensing System below! Submit your Renewal Application today. Expedite Initial application review by skipping the accounting line. Submit your paramedic initial application via the Online Licensing System.
*Lapsed License/Reinstatement applications are not currently accepted through the online licensing system and must be submitted by mail. Visit our Forms page to download the Reinstatement Application.
All licensure fees are Non-Refundable.
POPULAR LINKS
- Central Registry (Verify a paramedic license or EMT, AEMT, Lay-Person Epinephrine Certification)
- Forms (Applications, Name Change, etc.)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Online Licensing Information
COVID-19 UPDATES The California EMS Authority (EMSA) Licensure unit remains operational during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) statewide emergency. We are committed to providing graduates and licensees continued licensure services. Pursuant to Governor Newsom’s Executive Orders N-35-20 (pdf) , N-08-21 (pdf) , N-17-21 (pdf) and N-21-21 (pdf), the EMS Authority has suspended statutory and regulatory requirements for EMS personnel and EMS training program providers. For more information, see Policy to Implement the Governor Executive Order Regarding EMS Licensure, Certification and Training (pdf).
Paramedics & Static Site Facilities EMS personnel assigned to California static site facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic shall adhere to the Health Care Worker Vaccine Requirement Public Health Officer Order, dated December 22, 2021, requiring all healthcare workers who provide services or work in facilities (static sites) be vaccinated for COVID-19. For additional information please review their FAQs: Health Care Worker Vaccine Requirement Public Health Officer Order. View our COVID-19: Paramedic Licensure Fact Sheet (pdf)
Out-of-State Paramedic COVID Response Authorization Out-of-state paramedics interested in responding to assist with the COVID pandemic in California must have a medical facility, telehealth agency or staffing agency complete an Out-of-State Authorization form for consideration.
For additional information, please contact us at Janet.Lago@emsa.ca.gov or COVID19@emsa.ca.gov.
PARAMEDIC APPLICATIONS
- Initial In-State (California Graduates) Paramedic License Application Packet (pdf)
- Initial Out-of-State Paramedic Application Packet (pdf)
- Initial Challenge Paramedic Application Packet (pdf) [Physicians, RN’s, Physician Assistants, and MICN’s ONLY]
- Lapsed License Reinstatement Lapsed Less Than One Year Application Packet (pdf)
- Lapsed License Reinstatement Lapsed One Year or More Application Packet (pdf)
- Renewal Paramedic Application Packet (pdf)
- AUDIT Renewal Paramedic Application Packet (pdf)
ADDITIONAL PARAMEDIC INFORMATION
PARAMEDIC ACCREDITATION
– California has not adopted the NCCP model yet; therefore, the NREMT “Traditional” recertification model remains available for California paramedics.
PARAMEDIC TESTING – NREMT (National Registry of EMTs)
PARAMEDIC TRAINING PROGRAMS and CONTINUING EDUCATION
CALIFORNIA APPROVED PARAMEDIC CONTINUING EDUCATION
- CAPCE (formerly CECBEMS) Approved Continuing Education Courses/Providers Important notice: Paramedics must provide their state paramedic license number upon registering for CAPCE courses to ensure state approval of CE credits.
- LEMSA Approved local and online NREMT Transition Courses (pdf)
CALIFORNIA APPROVED PARAMEDIC TRAINING PROGRAMS
- Paramedic Training Programs
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC)
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) – Paramedic Program Accreditation
- Department of Consumer Affairs – Bureau for Private Post Secondary Education
REINSTATEMENT (LAPSED LICENSE) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Live Scan Locations: Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Attorney General Website
- Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA)
RENEWAL AND LATE FEE ASSESSMENT DEADLINES
OTHER PARAMEDIC INFORMATION
If you have any questions please check out our Frequently Asked Questions or send an e-mail to the Paramedic Licensure Unit at paramedic@emsa.ca.gov.
- Community Paramedicine
- Local Optional Scope of Practice
- Paramedics Deployed to California on Mutual Aid (pdf)
- Out of State Mutual Aid Form (pdf)
- Mutual Aid FAQ’s
OTHER LINKS
Tell Us What You Think
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If you have something to share, we are listening.
Your feedback is one of the best tools
we have to identify our strengths, as well as
opportunities to improve.
Email: paramedic@emsa.ca.gov
Paramedic Page – Contact Information:
Related Links
CONTACT US
Paramedic Mailing Address:
California Emergency Medical Services Authority
Paramedic Licensure Program
10901 Gold Center Drive, Ste. 400
Rancho Cordova, CA. 95670-6073
Email: paramedic@emsa.ca.gov
Paramedic Licensure:
Phone: 916-323-9875 / 916-324-2875(fax)
CONTACT LEMSA
EMT/Advanced-EMT Certification:
Contact your Local EMS Authority (LEMSA).
Or visit the EMT page