EMS Equivalency

Texas EMS Certification or Licensure Through Equivalency

EMS rules allow the following candidates to gain Texas EMS certification or licensure through equivalency. 

  • Individuals who are certified or licensed in another health care discipline, or who have completed training outside the U.S., 
  • Individuals whose department issued EMS certification or license has been expired for more than one year; or
  • Individuals who have held department issued inactive certification for more than four years.

Initial Certification/Licensure

Candidate responsibilities: 

  • Contact your local EMS field office for a list of approved educational institutions.
  • Determine if your experience and education match the EMS program curriculum.
  • Follow program policies and procedures for transfer or advanced placement credits. 
  • Pass the National Registry exam.
  • Complete a state approved jurisprudence examination to determine the knowledge on state EMS laws, rules, and policies.
  • Once complete, the candidate can submit an initial application with the non-refundable fee.
 

Paramedic Licensure 

Paramedic candidates must:

  • Complete the procedures above.
  • Have an associate’s degree in EMS or any higher level degree from an accredited school recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Submit an initial application, transcript and the non-refundable fee

Foreign Credentials

If you have foreign credentials, you must also: 

  • Acquire translation and/or educational credential evaluation services.
  • Ensure the evaluation conforms to recommendations approved by the:
    • National Council on the Evaluation of Foreign Educational Credentials,
    • American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and,
    • NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

A list of evaluation services is available from the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).