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Welcome to the home page of the DSHS program that regulates EMS and trauma systems in Texas. This website contains information about EMS certification and licensure, trauma designation, how to contact us and more.
Special message for military personnel and veterans
Update on Hurricane Harvey Waivers for DSHS License Holders
On August 23, 2017, the Office of the Governor issued a disaster proclamation in response to Hurricane Harvey and temporarily suspended the statutes and rules pertaining to professional and business licenses or certification renewal applications. During the suspension, DSHS extended license expiration dates for professionals and businesses in the affected counties and waived the late fees for those who submitted renewal applications.
On December 17, 2018, the Office of the Governor terminated the suspension of the DSHS statutes and rules related to the Hurricane Harvey disaster.
Effective March 1, 2019, DSHS will no longer extend license expiration dates or waive late fees for any licensed professionals or businesses in the following counties:
Angelina, Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Colorado, Comal, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kerr, Kleberg, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Live Oak, Madison, Matagorda, Milam, Montgomery, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Polk, Refugio, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Trinity, Tyler, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Wharton, Willacy, and Wilson.
What this Means for License Holders in these counties:
To avoid a late fee, you will need to submit your license or certification renewal application with the required fees along with any required supplemental documentation, in accordance with the applicable requirements for your license or certification type by February 28, 2019.
Late fees will be assessed on applications postmarked on or after March 1, 2019.
The current status of a license may also be verified online.
Attention EMS Personnel, EMS Providers and EMS Educators:
The DPS crime records service and DSHS has changed from the FAST fingerprint form to a new Texas Fingerprint Service Code Form for criminal background checks.
DSHS has noticed an increase in personnel completing fingerprints for their criminal background check before they have filed an application with DSHS. EMS personnel must submit an application for EMS Certification/licensure, Criminal History Pre-Screen Petition, or an Administrator of Record (AOR) form before completing the fingerprint process. Completing fingerprints without submitting an application and/or AOR form to DSHS will cause a delay in processing your application.
News/Features
FY 2016 Uncompensated Trauma Care Fund Distribution - July 2018
(July 17, 2018)
EMS Provider Summer Heat Precaution
(June 1, 2018)
FY18 EMS Allotment/Allocation Eligibility
(August 3, 2017)
DSHS Drug Shortage Statement
(July 19, 2017)
Submission of Patient Care Records (PCRs) to the Texas Trauma Registry
(May 9, 2017)
2016 Report on Emergency Medical Services Complaints and Investigation (PDF 440KB)
(December 19, 2016)
Guidance for EMS Providers Seeking Patient Health Outcome or Emergency Department Data from Hospitals
(December 1, 2015)
EMS/Trauma System Organization
(January 7, 2015)
More News/Features