EMT and paramedic training, licensing and certification in the state of Arizona are governed by the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System. The bureau is a subdivision of the Arizona DHS (Department of Health Services). This state bureau must approve all the applicants and certifications before the individual can be employed in the state as an EMT. The state of Arizona also requires the individual who has completed AZ EMT courses to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam and recognizes the exam certification if taken in other states.
The levels of Arizona certification include:
- EMCT- Emergency Medical Care Technician
- EMR - Emergency Medical Responder
- EMT-B (EMT Basic)
- AEMT- Advanced Emergency Medical technician
- Paramedic
Arizona differs slightly from other states in regards to certification because AZ requires Arizona EMT Certification before an individual may apply for work in other EMS services. The process only requires you to fill out the Arizona EMS Certification form (also found online), and submit it to one of the following AZ offices:
Tucson 400 West Congress, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85701
Phoenix - 150 North 18th Avenue, Suite 540, Phoenix, AZ 85007
If you have training, but do not have an Arizona certification, you have the option of applying for a 6 month, temporary certification license. With this certification, you will be able to apply for work in Arizona, while undergoing the specific instructional and course requirements that are mandated by the state of Arizona.
Each state has its own EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Board and requirements for EMS certification.
To become certified in the state of Arizona an individual:
- must be 18 years of age
- possess a health insurance
- must pass a criminal background
- must have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent
- must have a current Chicken Pox immunization
- must have had a Tetanus shot within the last ten years
For re-certification of all levels of EMS may access an applicant and now apply to re-certify by accessing a combined application form;
the Education & Specified Certification Attestation Form.
According to the United States Department of Labor: Employment of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics is expected to grow by 19 percent between 2006 and 2016 and beyond, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
There are additional requirements for pursuing training in each region, and details of these are fairly common state to state. Read the articles found in EMT Training Top Tips and Paramedic Training Best Tips for details and a list of these requirements.
Contact Information
Further information can be obtained by contacting the Arizona Bureau of EMS & Trauma System by calling
(602) 542-1025 or 1-800-200-8523.
Arizona Bureau of EMS & Trauma / 150 N. 18th Ave., Suite 540 / Phoenix, AZ 85007