EMS Credentialing FAQs

I passed my NREMT exams. How do I apply for my California EMT certification?
*First time applicants only*

Statutes, set forth by the State of California, can be found here: CCR Title 22. Our local, initial certification policy can be found here: Policy 1202 - EMT Certification.

1. Create a user account in REMSA’s Online Credentialing Portal / license management system, here: https://remsa.imagetrendlicense.com/lms/public/portal#/login.
2. Once your account has been created, complete the application for “Initial EMT Certification”. You will need to upload the following documents to complete your initial application:

   • Photo I.D.: current, valid, and legal (submission of only one (1) of the following is required) a.   State driver’s license or military I.D. card

        i.   Temporary driver’s licenses without a picture and/or military IDs where the applicant is not the primary issuant will not be accepted.

     b.   State I.D. card
     c.    Passport
            o Unexpired U.S. OR
            o Unexpired foreign, with a valid U.S. visa and approved U.S. Department of Homeland Security Lawful Record of Admission.

   • CPR Card: A current and valid American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or California-approved BCLS/CPR card (“professional” level).
     • All information on the card must be typed.
     • The card must be valid for a minimum of thirty (30) days past the application date.
     • REMSA does not accept CPR certifications from "100% online" providers. All examinations for CPR certification must include a psychomotor (i.e., hands-on) component.
   • Live Scan Fingerprinting: Proof of completion of fingerprinting for a California Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI
     criminal offender record information search. Use of the preprinted REMSA fingerprint form is mandatory (found
     here: REMSA EMT Request for LiveScan Service). It is recommended that the applicant keep a copy of this form for
     their records.
     • REMSA is unable to accept Live Scan forms or results completed for any other agency or organization. Please
       refer to the General tab of this FAQ  for more information.
3. Proof of one (1) of the following:
   • Successful completion of the NREMT cognitive and psychomotor examination within two (2) years from the date of application for EMT certification AND have a valid EMT course completion record or other documented proof of successful completion of any initial EMT course approved pursuant to § 100067.02 of Title 22, issued within two (2) years of the date of application OR
   • Successful completion of the NREMT cognitive and psychomotor examination within two (2) years from the date of application for EMT certification AND have documentation of successful completion of an approved out-of-state initial EMT training course that meets the requirements of this Chapter issued within two (2) years of the date of application OR
   • Successful completion of the NREMT cognitive and psychomotor examination within two (2) years from the date of application for EMT certification AND have a current and valid out-of-state EMT certificate OR
   • Possession of a current and valid National Registry EMT, Advanced EMT or Paramedic registration certificate OR
   • Possession of a current and valid out-of-state Advanced EMT or Paramedic certificate OR
   • Possession of a current and valid California Advanced EMT certificate or a current and valid California Paramedic license.
4. Pay REMSA's non-refundable application fee of $200 ($25 administrative fee to the State of California for the maintenance of EMSA's credentialing database and $175 administrative fee to REMSA for application processing and handling of credentials).

NOTE: Applications that have been started but remain incomplete will be saved in our license management system in an “Initiated” status until completed, or for a maximum of thirty (30) days, whichever is shorter. After thirty (30) days, the application will be considered abandoned, and the license management system will automatically withdraw it from the active queue. Once the status of an application is changed to “Withdrawn,” the applicant will need to initiate a new application, and pay all related fees again, if they wish to continue the certification process.

How do I renew my NREMT certification?

The NREMT is a separate certification from CA state EMT. Renewing one of these certifications does NOT automatically renew the other. To renew your NREMT, visit www.nremt.org.

I am an EMT, or prospective EMT, and do not know which application to complete.

Please use our EMT Application Assistant tool. If you still have questions, you can email our Credentialing Unit at [email protected]. 

I completed the wrong application; can I get a refund?

All fees paid to REMSA are non-refundable. We recommend using our EMT Application Assistant tool prior to completing your application to ensure that you are filling out the correct one.

Do I need to apply for my EMT certification in the county that live in or plan to work in?

No. You may apply for your state EMT certification through any local EMS agency that is convenient to you (a list of all California LEMSAs can be found here: https://www.emsa.ca.gov/caemsa?id=lemsa_info). You may only hold EMT certification through one (1) LEMSA at a time, even if you work outside of the county where you hold certification (local accreditation may be required where you work). At the time of recertification, should you wish to change the entity through which you are currently certified, you must follow the certification policy set forth by that LEMSA. New Live Scan fingerprints, as well as paying all associated local and state fees to that agency, will also be required.

What if I want to change certifying entities mid cycle? What is required?

EMT certification in California is recognized by all thirty-four (34) LEMSAs throughout the state; however, should you need to change certifying entities at the request/requirement of your employer, you may do so. You will need to meet all certification renewal requirements, which include twenty-four (24) continuing education (CE) hours, a valid skills verification form, and a repeat background check. You will maintain your E# and your two (2) year certification expiration date will either remain the same (if you are changing entities within six (6) months of your current expiration) or change to reflect a new expiration date (if you are changing entities with more than six (6) months until your current expiration). The new certifying entity will verify that you have met all of their requirements. They will also issue you your new EMT card.

Can I use my Heartsaver First Aid CPR card to meet REMSA’s CPR requirement?

No. You must possess a current and valid CPR card at the ‘professional’ or ‘healthcare provider’ level. At this time, we only accept American Heart Association, American Red Cross, American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI), or state-approved CPR cards. REMSA-approved equivalents may be accepted (e.g., RHeaRT); please check with our Credentialing Unit if you are unsure (here: [email protected]). All information on the card must be typed – handwritten cards will not be accepted. Cards must be valid for a minimum of thirty (30) days past the application date.

I am a certified EMT in another state, how do I transfer my credentials to California?

Please review our local, initial certification policy, found here: Policy 1202 - EMT Certification.

Initial EMT Certification is obtained by submitting an application through our Online Credentialing Portal / license management system, here: https://remsa.imagetrendlicense.com/lms/public/portal#/login.

I hold an active or expired EMT certification in another California county; how do I transfer my credentials to Riverside County?

Please use our EMT Application Assistant tool to help you determine the correct application to fill out.

What should I do if my EMT certification lapsed?

You may apply for reinstatement through any LEMSA or certifying entity. State regulations regarding reinstatement (less than 6 months, 6 to 12 months, and greater than 12 months) can be found here: CCR Title 22. Our reinstatement policy can be found here: Policy 1204 - EMT Reinstatement. Certifications lapsed 12 months or more require re-fingerprinting (Live Scan) and are subject to the following fee schedule for certification reinstatement (in Riverside County specifically):

 _{1 All fees associated with Live Scan Fingerprinting in this table are estimated based on historical pricing. They are assessed and collected by 3rd party servicers and are subject to change without notice or update of this policy. REMSA makes no guarantee of Live Scan Fingerprinting costs, these are simply approximations for financial planning purposes only.}

_{2 The CA EMS Authority requires applicants whose certification has been expired for more than 365 days to obtain new Live Scan fingerprints}

Why do I need the epinephrine, naloxone, and glucometer training?

Beginning July 1, 2019, 22 CCR § 100069.01 (EMT Certification Renewal) required any EMT renewing his or her certification for the first time to submit documentation of successful completion of the following training by an approved EMT training program or approved CE provider:

1. The use and administration of naloxone or other opioid antagonist that meets the standards and requirements of section 100067.11, subsection (c)
2. The use and administration of epinephrine by auto-injector that meets the standards and requirements of section 100067.11, subsection (d)
3. The use of a glucometer that meets the standards and requirements of section 100067.11, subsection (e)
4. If an individual possesses a current California-issued paramedic license or California Advanced EMT certificate, then the individual need not comply with subsections (A)-(C), above.

Where can I find approved EMT skills competency verifiers/signers?

We recommend contacting the EMS Coordinator (or equivalent title) within the agency where you work to determine if they offer the skills class you need for your level of licensure. If they do not, we recommend contacting local EMS training programs to inquire about their skills competency course offerings.

Skills signers can be located anywhere in California, but they must:

1. Meet all state and local requirements to be a signer
2. Be authorized by an approved provider agency AND
3. Be approved by any California LEMSA to sign skills forms

Forms submitted that have unauthorized signer signatures on them will not be accepted; if you include a skills form in your application packet that is found to have unauthorized signatures on it, and your packet was not submitted in a timely manner, it could potentially result in your certification lapsing before you are able to resolve the deficiency.

My EMT application was approved by REMSA, how do I get my state card?

Your wallet-sized (grey) State of California EMT card will be issued, and mailed, to the mailing address you provided on your application.

My EMT application was approved by REMSA, but I haven’t received my card yet. What should I do?

If your mailing address has changed since your application was submitted, it is your responsibility to update it as soon as possible, either by changing it in your Online Credentialing Portal / license management system profile, here: https://remsa.imagetrendlicense.com/lms/public/portal#/login, or by contacting our Credentialing Unit (here: [email protected]). If your card was mailed to the wrong address due to incorrect information that you provided, you will need to request a replacement card and pay the associated fee ($10). If your address has not changed since you submitted your application, please contact our Credentialing Unit.

My EMT card was lost or damaged, how do I get a replacement?

Contact the LEMSA or certifying entity that issued your certification. If you are certified in Riverside County, access your Online Credentialing Portal / license management system profile, here: https://remsa.imagetrendlicense.com/lms/public/portal#/login, and complete the application for a lost/replacement card. Ensure that your mailing address information is correct.