Criminal History

Certain offenses will prevent you from getting your Texas EMS certification. These offenses can also get your EMS certificate or license revoked.  

Anyone who has been convicted of, placed on deferred adjudication community supervision, or deferred disposition for any of the criminal offenses listed below are NOT qualified to obtain or maintain an EMS certification: 

(1) murder [Texas Penal Code (PC) Section 19.02], 

(2) capital murder [PC Section 19.03], 

(3) indecency with a child [PC Section 21.11 (a)(1)], 

(4) aggravated kidnapping [PC Section 20.04], 

(5) aggravated sexual assault [PC Section 22.021], 

(6) aggravated robbery [PC Section 29.03], 

(7) substance abuse offenses, as described in Health and Safety Code, Chapter 481, for which punishment is increased under: 

 (a) Health and Safety Code, §481.140, regarding the use of a child in the commission of an offense; or 

 (b) Health and Safety Code, §481.134(c), (d), (e) or (f), regarding an offense committed within a drug    free zone, if it is shown that the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense for which    punishment was increased under one of those subsections; 

(8) sexual assault; [PC Section 22.011] 

(9) An offense, other than an offense committed on or after September 1, 2009, for which the person is subject to register as a sex offender under Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 62. 

All other criminal offenses are considered on a case-by-case basis. The following includes some of the factors we use to determine whether a criminal offense directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of EMS personnel and uses. This helps us decide the person’s ability to carry out those duties and responsibilities.   

• The nature and seriousness of the crime, 

• The relationship of the crime to the purposes for requiring a certification to engage in emergency medical services, 

the extent to which certification might offer an opportunity to engage in further criminal activity of the same type as that in which the person previously had been involved, 

• The relationship of the crime to the ability, capacity, or fitness required to perform the duties and discharge the responsibilities of EMS personnel, 

• The extent and nature of the person’s past criminal activity, 

• The age of the person when the crime was committed, 

• The amount of time that has elapsed since the person’s last criminal activity, 

• The conduct and work activity of the person before and after the criminal activity, 

• Evidence of the person’s rehabilitation or rehabilitative effort while incarcerated or after release, 

• Evidence the person has maintained a record of steady employment; supported their dependents; maintained a record of good conduct; paid all outstanding court costs, supervision fees, fines and restitution ordered in any criminal case. 

In addition, we will also apply these for the same or similar criminal offenses, resulting in a conviction, deferred adjudication or deferred disposition under other state law, federal law, or the Uniform Code of Military Justice. 

We cannot determine your certification eligibility based on a criminal background history over the phone. You should submit:

• our Petition for EMS Criminal History Pre-Screening form,
• the required fee, and
• a completed Texas Fingerprint Service Code based background check.

We will evaluate your past criminal history after we have receive the proper documentation and fee. Most evaluations are completed within three to six months.

Use our Online Licensing System to complete this Petition for EMS Criminal History Pre-Screening form and the Texas Fingerprint Service Code form. To request the fingerprint service code, email EMS Certification

Our Enforcement Review Committee (ERC) will review and decide your eligibility when they have all your documentation. We will tell you if they decide that you aren't eligible for certification.  

We will forward the application for processing if we approve it. If not, we will notify you by letter. 

Texas Administrative Code 157.36 requires anyone with an EMS certificate or license to timely notify us when they are:  

• Arrested,  
• Charged, or  
• Indicted and  
• When the charge either results in:  
  • A conviction,  
  • A deferred adjudication community supervision, or  
  • A deferred disposition. 

Complete the Criminal History Report form and email it to notify us.

Chapter 773 of the Health and Safety Code (HSC), Section 773.0614 authorizes us to:  

• Suspend or revoke an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) certificate or license or  
• Disqualify someone from getting a certificate or license  

if that person:  

• Has a conviction,  
• Is on a deferred adjudication community supervision, or  
• Deferred disposition  

for an offense related to the duties and responsibilities of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel.  

HSC Section 773.0615(a) lists four major factors whether a criminal offense relates to EMS.  

HSC Section 773.0615(b) lists more factors applicable to a person with a criminal history. These factors help us decide if a person can do the duties and responsibilities of an EMS personnel. 

HSC Section 773.0614(c) explains the types of crimes that would get someone's EMS certificate or license revoked. We would have to revoke a certificate or license without considering other factors. 

Emergency Medical Services Rule 157.37 is “Certification of Persons with Criminal Backgrounds”. These are more procedures that we use with EMS certificate holders and licensees with a criminal history.