Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics

To be eligible for Florida EMT certification, an applicant must:

• Submit a completed application
• Submit proof to the certification unit of meeting the required professional education in one of the four following ways:
  1. Florida Training – Successful completion of EMT course from a Florida Department of Health approved program within two years of passing the examination. You must submit a copy of the course completion certificate. If your course was taken more than two years before you passed the examination it will not be accepted
  2. Out-of-State Trained – You must submit proof of current NREMT certification
  3. Florida Paramedic Certification – A Florida certified paramedic may use his/her paramedic certificate, provided that it is current and in good standing, to satisfy the professional education requirements for certification as an EMT. You must indicate your current paramedic certificate number for us to verify your certification and standing.

If you were initially trained in Florida, received Florida licensure/certification, but did not maintain the license/certification (null and void), you may apply by out of state certification.

Submit a copy of one of the following to the certification unit:

• American Red Cross CPR for professional rescuer card
• American Heart Association BLS for the health care provider
• CPR equivalent certification from an organization approved by the Bureau of EMS pursuant to 64J-2.038, Florida Administrative Code. The copy must be of both sides.

Within 2 years after program completion have passed an examination developed or required by the department:

• Florida Trained applicants that have not passed the NREMT, must apply to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician to take the examination. 
• Applicants that were not trained in Florida and do no hold a current NREMT certification must also apply to National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician to take the examination.

Criminal History Information

Felony Status

If you have ever been convicted of, pled no contest to, regardless of adjudication, to a crime in any jurisdiction, you will be required to submit the following documentation:

• Law enforcement background check from each state where a felony occurred (can be requested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement)
• Court documents showing final disposition for all cases (arrest affidavit, probation documents, etc.)
• Proof of civil rights restoration, if applicable
• Your explanation of circumstances surrounding the event(s)
• Reference letters if you wish to have them considered

Once all required documents are received, your file will be sent for review. The Department has created guidelines for specific offenses to be cleared in the certification office, however staff cannot make determinations in advance as laws and rules do change over time. Crimes that cannot be cleared by staff will be sent to the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services for review.

ADA Accommodations

If you need special testing accommodations for the EMT exam please contact the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

Your scores will be available within 7-14 days of your test date. No scores are mailed. Your license will be issued within 30 days of the receipt of a passing score, if all other licensure requirements are met.

Florida trained applicants must pass the required examination within two years of the course completion date. If the applicant is unsuccessful in passing the exam during the above mentioned timeframe, the applicant will be required to retake his or her training course.

To be eligible for Florida Paramedic certification, an applicant must:

• Submit a completed application
• Possess a high school diploma or a general education development diploma
• Submit proof to the certification unit of meeting the required professional education in one of the following ways:
  • Florida Training – Successful completion of a paramedic course from a Florida Department of Health-approved program within two years of passing the examination. You must submit a copy of the course completion certificate. If your course was taken more than two years before you passed the examination it will not be accepted
  • Out of State Certification – You must submit proof of current NREMT certification
  • Health Professional Licensure – A Florida licensed physician, physician assistant, dentist, or registered nurse may apply for certification as a paramedic and subsequently challenge the paramedic exam, provided he/she holds a Florida EMT certificate which is current and in good standing and has successfully completed an advanced cardiac life support course. You must indicate your current EMT certificate number for us to verify your certification and standing. If you were initially trained in Florida, received Florida licensure/certification, but did not maintain the license/certification (null and void), you may apply by out of state certification
  • Submit a copy of one of the following to the certification unit:
  • American Heart Association ACLS card or equivalent certification from an organization approved by the Department pursuant to 64E-2.038, Florida Administrative Code. The copy must be of both sides with a signature.
• Within 2 years after program completion have passed an examination developed or required by the department;
  • Florida trained paramedics must take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians examination
  • NREMT Examination:  You do not need to apply to the Florida Department of Health for an authorization to test. You may schedule your examination directly with the NREMT.

Please note that you will still need to submit an application for certification along with your application fee before you may receive your state certification. If you do not pass the NREMT examination, you are not required to apply to the Department to retake the examination.

Criminal History Information

Felony Status

If you have ever been convicted of, pled no contest to, regardless of adjudication, to a crime in any jurisdiction, you will be required to submit the following documentation:

• Law enforcement background check from each state where a felony occurred (can be requested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement)
• Court documents showing final disposition for all cases (arrest affidavit, probation documents, etc.)
• Proof of civil rights restoration, if applicable
• Your explanation of circumstances surrounding the event(s)
• Reference letters if you wish to have them considered

Once all required documents are received, your file will be sent for review. The Department has created guidelines for specific offenses to be cleared in the certification office, however staff cannot make determinations in advance as laws and rules do change over time. Crimes that cannot be cleared by staff will be sent to the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services for review.

Requirements for Certification and Recertification, applicants must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have or reasonably expect to have as a result of occupation or volunteer status, responsibility for at least one other person who has severe adverse reactions to insect stings
• Successfully complete, within the previous two years, a training program that meets the requirements
• Complete both pages of the application

Training Requirements

You must successfully complete a training program from a nationally recognized organization (American Red Cross) or experienced in training laypersons in emergency health treatment or a provider approved by the Florida Department of Health.

Fees

The fee for initial certification or renewal is $25.

Recertification Certificates

All certificates expire on March 1 of each odd-numbered year. A renewal notice will be mailed to your address of record approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date.

All in-state and out-of-state/military trained EMT and paramedic applicants must meet the exam or certification requirements for licensure in Florida. In-state applicants will meet these requirements by examination, while out-of-state/military-trained applicants will meet these requirements by possessing current NREMT certification.

Exam/Certification Requirements

Florida trained EMT applicants: You must pass the NREMT cognitive exam in order to be eligible for state licensure.

Florida trained Paramedic applicants: You must pass the NREMT cognitive exam (prior approval from the state for testing is not required) to be eligible for state licensure.

Out-of-state/military-trained EMT and Paramedic applicants: You must have (or earn) current NREMT certification before or during the application process to be eligible for state licensure.

*All applications are good for 1 year from the date you apply.

License Fees

Fees must be submitted with your application and request for exam scheduling. Fees are payable to Florida Department of Health. Application fees are non-refundable. A money order or cashier’s check should be submitted for payment.

Emergency Medical Technician Fees

Paramedic Fees

Applicants and licensees are responsible for the fees outlined in applicable health board or Department rule at the time an application is received.

• Certification Application 
• Mobile Opportunity by Interstate Licensure Endorsement (MOBILE) 
• Emergency Allergy Treatment Certification 
• Statement of Good Standing Form 
• Background Screening Exemption 
• Military Veteran or Spouse Fee Waiver Request Form 
• Reactivation of Expired Certification 
• Change Address Form 
• Change Name Form 

Requirements

30 hours total are required for emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

CE Requirements for First Time Renewal

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics renewing the license for the first time are exempt from completing continuing education. Licensees renewing for the first time are required to have current CPR/ACLS certification.

Board-Approved Providers

Providers are approved by the Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight and are listed in CEBroker.

Per 64J-1.008(2)(a) and 64J-1.009(2)(a), F.A.C., the Department will accept affirmation of a licensed EMS provider’s medical director, or a certificate of completion of refresher training from a Department-approved continuing education provider as proof of compliance with the renewal requirements.

Florida Statutes

• Chapter 381, F.S., Public Health: General Provisions
• Chapter 401, F.S., Part III Florida Statutes: Medical Transportation Services
• Chapter 456, F.S., Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions

Florida Administrative Code

• Rules: Chapter 64J-1: Emergency Medical Services, Florida Administrative Code

Documents

• CPR and ACLS Providers
• Instructions for Other Payers to Renew Employee Certificates
• Instructions for Other Payers with Bulk Renewal Modifier 
• Paramedic Definitions
• Public Safety Telecommunication Training Program Definitions