The state of California has one of the largest EMS services in the entire country and the state is continually hiring certified EMS personnel. EMT and paramedic training, licensing and certification in the state of California are governed by the Emergency Medical Services Authority or EMSA. This state bureau has the responsibility of managing the entire EMS system for the state of California.
In the state of California those who have completed EMS training find employment primarily with ambulance services, fire departments, private industries and corporations. The California training also prepares EMS personal to work in both clinical and emergency environments.
Both EMTs and paramedics must complete a California EMT training program that is state accredited in order to be certified. California training alone is not sufficient; it requires a state accredited program or courses. The state of California and the EMSA also requires the individual who has completed EMT training to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam and recognizes the exam certification if taken in other states.
Certification Requirements
California EMT training applicants who wish to take the EMT certification test are first required to have 110 hours of EMT training instructional study and another 10 hours of medical training studies. Paramedic training in California requires a minimum of 1,090 hours for training.
Each state has its own EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Board and requirements for EMS certification. To become certified in the state of California an individual:
• must be 18 years of age
• must enroll in EMT-basic training and pass EMT certification
• must pass a criminal background check
• must have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent
• must possess current CPR certification
Paramedic training - the state of California requires an applicant to:
- Submit a Statement of Citizenship, Alienage, and Immigration Status for State Paramedic License Application or Paramedic License renewal.
- Complete a California paramedic license application.
- Submit the appropriate fees which are dependent upon your status and what you are applying for. This includes California EMT-paramedic training graduates, out-of-state EMT paramedics, and Challenge Candidates.
- Successfully complete an approved paramedic training program.
The paramedic training program consists of 1,090 (minimum) hours to include:
- Didactic and skills – 450 hours
- Hospital and clinical training – 160 hours
- Field internship – 480 hours - which must include a minimum of 40 advanced life support (ALS) patient contacts)
Every two years, for those who hold an EMT-II, EMT III, or paramedic certification, the state of California requires EMS personnel to verify that they are still up to par on their continuing education requirements, also known as CE requirements, or EMT refresher courses. It is recommended that an individual begin the application process for re-certification well before your certification expires.
Additional requirements for pursuing training in each region 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 California EMSA:
(916) 322-4336, or the Paramedic Licensure: (916) 323-9875.
Address: 10901 Gold Center Drive, Suite 400 / Rancho Cordova, CA 95670