EMS Reciprocity Certification

For a four-year certification/license:

• Must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. 
• Must either have a current Out of State certification or current National Registry certification. 
• The certifications must remain current until approved for certification. 
• Submit an online reciprocity application and pay the non-refundable application fee.  Apply online
• Must take the Texas Assessment Exam through National Registry, if State certified only. 
• Must take the State of Texas Jurisprudence CE course with exam. Please upload the course completion certificate to the application as a PDF attachment. View list of EMS CE programs offering jurisprudence exam
• Submit the Verification Form A to each State where the applicant has ever been certified and/or is currently certified. Out of State verification form A
• The State agency having licensing authority will complete the form and submit it directly to emscert@dshs.texas.gov.
• Must submit to a fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGO using the Texas Fingerprint Service Code Form. To request the fingerprint service code, email EMS Certification
• Applicants seeking reciprocity at the Advanced EMT level must have training (verifiable by the certifying state agency) that includes alternative airway intubation devices, and IV initiation as required for Advanced EMT certification in Texas. 
  • Reciprocity AEMT skills verification form

Criminal history background verification

• All applicants will be required to undergo an FBI fingerprint criminal history check using IdentoGo.
• Schedule fingerprinting through IdentoGo using  the DSHS’ code. To request the fingerprint service code, email EMS certification
• The Texas Fingerprint Service Code Form includes instructions for scheduling an appointment with IdentoGo. Any fees associated with this process will be your responsibility.
• If you are unable to go to the IdentoGo site please contact EMS Central Unit at: 512-834-6734, to receive a hard copy fingerprint card. Please note this will delay our agency receiving your results up to several weeks.

Current National Registry certification or passing the National Registry assessment exam

• Applicants without a current National Registry (NR) certification must apply to take their assessment exam for the State of Texas.  Applicants will not be approved to take the NR Assessment exam until the department has received the reciprocity application, fees, and verified you have a current EMS certification from another state or US territory. 

For a full four-year Texas EMS certificate:

• Must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. 
• Must either have a current Out of State certification or current National Registry certification. 
  • The certifications must remain current until approved for certification. 
• Submit an online reciprocity application. Apply online
  • To receive the fee exemption please attach a PDF copy of:
    • Current military ID (If active duty)
    • DD214 (if veteran, member copy 4 preferred)
    • Current military ID of spouse and service member
      • For other options, please contact our office at 512-834-6734 or by email.
• Must take the Texas Assessment Exam through National Registry, if State certified only. 
• Must take the State of Texas Jurisprudence CE course with exam. Please upload the course completion certificate to the application as a PDF attachment.
• Submit the Verification Form A to each State where the applicant has ever been certified and/or is currently certified. Out of State verification form A
  • The State agency having licensing authority will complete the form and submit it directly to emscert@dshs.texas.gov. 
• Must submit to a fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGO using the Texas Fingerprint Service Code Form. 
• Applicants seeking reciprocity at the Advanced EMT level must have training (verifiable by the certifying state agency) that includes alternative airway intubation devices, and IV initiation as required for Advanced EMT certification in Texas. 
  • Reciprocity AEMT skills verification form

 Criminal history background verification

• All applicants will be required to undergo a FBI fingerprint criminal history check through IdentoGO using DSHS’ code. To request the fingerprint service code, email EMS certification
• The Texas Fingerprint Service Code Form includes instructions for scheduling an appointment with IdentoGo. Any fees associated with this process will be your responsibility. 
• If you are unable to go to the IdentoGo site please contact EMS Central Unit at: 512-834-6734, to receive a hard copy fingerprint card. Please note this will delay our agency receiving your results up to several weeks.

For a four year Texas EMS license or certification:

• Must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. 
• Must either have a current Out of State certification or current National Registry certification. 
  • The certifications must remain current until approved for certification. 
• Submit an online reciprocity application and pay the non-refundable application fee.  Apply online
• Must take the Texas Assessment Exam through National Registry, if State certified only. 
• Must take the State of Texas Jurisprudence CE course with exam. Please upload the course completion certificate to the application as a PDF attachment.
• Submit the Verification Form A to each State where the applicant has ever been certified and/or is currently certified. Out of state verification form A
  • The State agency having licensing authority will complete the form and submit it directly to emscert@dshs.texas.gov. 
• Must submit to a fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGO using the Texas Fingerprint Service Code Form. To request the fingerprint service code, email EMS certification
• Applicants seeking reciprocity at the Advanced EMT level must have training (verifiable by the certifying state agency) that includes alternative airway intubation devices, and IV initiation as required for Advanced EMT certification in Texas. 
  • Reciprocity AEMT skills verification form

If seeking Paramedic licensure a college transcript that documents the academic requirements must be submitted. (Remember, EMT-Paramedic certification does not require a degree.)

• You must possess the following academic requirements
  • an Associate’s Degree in EMS   OR
  • a Bachelor’s or higher degree in any field of study
  • a post graduate degree 

• The degree must be from a school that is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an approved accrediting authority.

Please send a copy of your transcript by email or mail.
Email: emscert@dshs.texas.gov 

Mail:
Texas Department of State Health Services
EMS Licensing and Certification
Mail Code 2835
PO Box 149347
Austin, Tx. 78714 

Criminal history background verification

•  All applicants will be required to undergo a FBI fingerprint criminal history check through IdentoGO using DSHS’ code. To request the fingerprint service code, email EMS certification
• The Texas Fingerprint Service Code Form includes instructions for scheduling an appointment with IdentoGo. Any fees associated with this process will be your responsibility. 
• If you are unable to go to the IdentoGo site please contact EMS Central Unit at: 512-834-6734, to receive a hard copy fingerprint card. Please note this will delay our agency receiving your results up to several weeks.

Read about how a criminal history may affect your eligibility for certification in Texas.

Current National Registry certification or passing the National Registry assessment exam

• Applicants without a current National Registry (NR) certification must apply to take their assessment exam for the State of Texas.  Applicants will not be approved to take the NR Assessment exam until the department has received the reciprocity application, fees, and verified you have a current EMS certification from another state or U.S. territory.