Welcome to the Enforcement Unit

Per California Health and Safety Code, the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) is responsible for conducting investigations on individuals who have applied for or currently have a paramedic license within the State of California. California Health and Safety Code Section 1798.200 grants EMSA the authority to conduct investigations into a paramedic’s on-duty and off-duty activities. This includes granting or denying a license based upon criminal activity.  EMSA’s Enforcement Unit is responsible for investigating complaints against licensed paramedics and unlicensed personnel for violating the California Health and Safety Code, Division 2.5, Emergency Medical Services.

Additional information regarding the EMSA’s Enforcement Unit is provided below:

California Statutes & Regulations

• Paramedic Discipline Statute [HS 1798.200] (PDF)
• Standards for Denial – Revocation of a Paramedic License [CCR 100174] (PDF)
• California Health & Safety Code, Division 2.5, Emergency Medical Services [Statutes] (PDF) (Currently not Available)
• California Title 22, Division 9: Prehospital Emergency Medical Services [Regulations]

Disciplinary Guidelines

• Recommended Guidelines for Disciplinary Orders and Conditions of Probation (PDF)

Enforcement Process

• Paramedic Disciplinary Process (PDF)
• Procedure for Immediate Suspension (PDF)
• Role of the Director in Enforcement Proceedings (PDF)

How Do I File a Complaint or Request for a Paramedic Investigation?

In filing your complaint, the information you provide will determine the action the EMSA will take. The most effective complaints are those that contain firsthand, verifiable information. Therefore, please provide a statement, in your own words, which describes the nature of your complaint. Please include as many specific details as possible, including dates and times, as well as any documentary evidence related to your complaint. The emphasis should be on providing necessary factual information.

To file a complaint or request for a paramedic investigation, please complete the EMSA 007: Paramedic Investigation Request form (PDF) and mail, or email, to one of the following address.

Enforcement@emsa.ca.gov

or:

Emergency Medical Services Authority
Attn: Enforcement Unit
11120 International Drive, Suite 200

Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Probation Program

The purpose of the Probation Program is to monitor paramedics who have had their licenses placed on a probationary status due to sustained administrative discipline. EMSA’s Probation Program monitors and verify that public protection is being achieved and that the paramedics are adhering to the requirements of their probation orders. Paramedic probationers who violate their probation orders are subject to having their licenses revoked.

If your license is currently placed on probation, you are required to submit a Paramedic Enforcement Unit Quarterly Report (PDF).

Quarterly Reporting Periods
1/1 to 3/31 – Due April 15
4/1 to 6/30 – Due July 15

7/1 to 9/30 – Due October 15
10/1 to 13/31 – Due January 15 

You may submit the Quarterly Reports via mail to our address listed below, fax to (916) 445-0300, or by email to Enforcement@emsa.ca.gov.

Petition for Reinstatement & Reduction of Penalty

A person whose license has been revoked or placed on probation may petition for reinstatement or reduction of penalty after a period of not less than one year has elapsed from the effective date of the decision or from the date of the denial of a similar petition. To inquire more about the petition and its process, please email Enforcement@emsa.ca.gov.

Complaint Statistics

• Type of Paramedic Complaint by Year Received

Additional Information

• For complaints relating to Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), please contact your local emergency medical services agency (LEMSA).

• EMSA does not handle complaints regarding ambulatory billing. Please contact the ambulance service provider for all questions or problems relating to billing.

• Per Health and Safety Code 100165 (g), “The paramedic shall be responsible for notifying the Authority of her/his proper and current mailing address and shall notify the Authority in writing within thirty (30) calendar days of any and all changes of the mailing address, giving both the old and the new address, and paramedic license number.” If you have any changes to your address, please mail a Notice of Change of Address (PDF) form to the EMSA’s Paramedic Licensure Program.

• State of California requires all persons that provide paramedic level scope of practice emergency medical services to obtain a valid state issued paramedic license.
  Verify the status of a person’s paramedic license

Contact the Enforcement Unit