The governing body that handles licensure and giving credentials to paramedics is the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Department awards paramedics with two types of endorsements: Licensed Paramedic (LP) and Emergency Medical Tech-Paramedic (EMT-P). To receive both endorsements, you have to go take the same tests and meet other requirements. The biggest difference between the two is that licensed paramedics are academics.
To describe the endorsements for Paramedic personnel, the state uses the word “certification”. In the case of Licensed Paramedics, they use the term “licensure”. Technically, both endorsements are licenses. An applicant in Texas can reach eligibility for national certification while getting a state license.
Table of Contents: hideParamedics who have foreign education or licensure can use equivalency to practice their craft in Texas. See more on http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/emstraumasystems/EMS/sequiv.shtm page. In addition, people whose certificates are inactive due to expiration can use equivalency to renew their certificates.
It’s obligatory to have educated from a high school to become an EMT Paramedic. If an applicant participates in a regionally accredited school, then a home school diploma will also suffice. Individuals with foreign degrees must have the equivalency of their education checked by an education evaluation service.
It is the responsibility of an LP to submit proof of his/her college education. If an applicant got his/her degree at the associate level, the profession must be Emergency Medical Services. If it’s a higher degree, any specialization is accepted. The educational institute, which awarded the degree, must have the approval of a credible organization.
Most of the time, EMT-P s and LPs start their careers studying as EMTs and go up the ranks. Individuals whose qualifications are certified in other medical professions may be granted an exception. They must go through EMS educational program to translate their educational credentials into this line of work.
The organization called Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs must approve each training program in Texas; Thanks to this system, people who completed educational programs are eligible to participate in National Registry tests. You can also become eligible for a certificate by participating in one of the Programs that contain Letters of Review. You can look through the programs on the website of the CAAHEP organization. Currently, 45 educational courses in Texas are accredited and 15 programs can issue the Letters of Review. Participants can receive a certificate or associate’s degree.
To test each candidate’s capabilities, every candidate in Texas must go through exams devised by NREMT.
The exam comprises two parts: a psychomotor test, which tests your practical abilities, and a cognitive test, which evaluates your theoretical knowledge.
The latter type of test can be taken at Pearson assessment centers. Applicants must sign up on NREMT and check their qualifications first. Before they can receive an ATT, candidates must also cover the associated test fees.
The current cost for taking a test is $110.
Someone who starts off as a Texas applicant but doesn’t succeed can not receive his/her certificate through another means. However, they can take the test again.
The psychomotor examination tests your ability in medical situations, for instance, dynamic and static cardiology. The NR has provided detailed guidelines for demonstrating skills while taking an exam. Practical exams are about to be released and public on this page.
Candidates who enrolled in paramedic education programs before 2013 may still receive a certificate even if their course wasn’t approved by the governing body.
Each candidate must provide a fingerprint to facilitate the checking of criminal records. L-1 Identity Solutions is the recommended provider of fingerprint checks.
Candidates must visit specified locations and submit their fingerprints electronically. A candidate can reach out over the phone on the number 888-467-2080 or check out the L-1 website. An applicant must have a FAST pass included in the application packet.
If you can’t access the L-1 location in person, you can ask for a fingerprint card from EMS Compliance and Quality Assurance. However, using this method might delay your certification.
While filling out the application, you might have to answer questions about your criminal past. If you select ‘yes’ as the answer, you’ll be prompted to provide some additional files.
Someone who’s not licensed in Texas and isn’t registered with National Registry must take an assessment test.
A candidate is obligated to provide out-of-state verification files.
A candidate must meet all the prerequisites for base paramedic certification or a license no later than two years after they’ve graduated from a course. Certified EMT-Paramedics who grow to meet the prerequisites of better qualification can reach higher status later on.
The basic application must be supplied through the website or downloadable application, that must be printed and sent to Department of State Health Services in Austin. If an applicant has graduated from an accredited educational course, they must apply before participating in an exam. However, you can delay it until you pass the necessary tests.
A candidate who qualifies to be a Licensed Paramedic must prove their education credentials by providing a grade transcript. The costs associated with the application are $126 for LPs, $96 for EMT-Ps.
Candidates must pay the reciprocity fee of $126, regardless of endorsement type.
Licenses must be renewed once every four years.
Once you’ve taken the test, you can check the certification search website to find out the current state of your certificate.
You won’t be able to find your exact score on this website. Instead, you’ll see the status of your certificate. If it says ‘certified’, then you got the passing grade and met all the prerequisites. If it says ‘Pending deficiencies’, your application is lacking in one way or another. Officials will not be notified about your NR deficiencies. NR tends to reach out to candidates individually. If you’re unsure about the flaws in your application, reach out at 512-834-6734.
If you’re curious about the examination process or how to handle the associated files, get in touch with National Registry.
After you’ve supplied a filled-out form and met all the prerequisites, It can take about a month to obtain your certificate/license and identification card. If your application is lacking in some way, you will be warned about it and you might receive your papers later.
| Type | Program | Address | City | Phone # | Website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Alvin Community College | 3110 Mustang Rd | Alvin | 281-756-5640 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Amarillo College | 2201 S Washington Ave | Amarillo | 806-354-6077 | website |
| Paramedic | Angelina College | 3500 South First Street | Lufkin | 936-633-5420 | website |
| EMT, AEMT, Paramedic | Austin Community College | 3401 Webberville Rd | Austin | 512-223-5924 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Blinn College | 8441 State Hwy 47 | Bryan | 979-691-2129 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Brookhaven College | 3939 Valley View Lane | Farmers Branch | 972-860-7860 | website |
| EMT, AEMT, Paramedic | College of the Mainland | 1200 Amburn Rd | Texas City | 409-933-8198 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Collin County Community College District | 2200 West University Dr | McKinney | 972-548-6848 | website |
| ECA, EMT, AEMT, Paramedic | Del Mar College | 101 Baldwin Blvd | Corpus Christi | 361-698-1724 | website |
| Paramedic | El Centro College | 801 Main Street | Dallas | 214-860-2414 | website |
| EMT, AEMT, Paramedic | El Paso Community College | 10700 Gateway East | El Paso | 915-831-7070 | website |
| AEMT, Paramedic | Galveston College | 4015 Avenue Q | Galveston | 409-944-1481 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Grayson College | 6101 Grayson Dr | Denison | 903-463-8677 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Hill College | 2112 Mayfield Pkwy | Cleburne | 817-760-5929 | website |
| EMT, AEMT, Paramedic | Houston Community College System | 555 Community College Dr | Houston | 713-718-7694 | website |
| EMT, AEMT, Paramedic | Howard College- San Angelo | 3501 North US Hwy 67 | San Angelo | 325-481-8300 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Kilgore College | 300 South High St | Longview | 903-753-2642 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Lamar Institute of Technology | 802 E Lavaca | Beaumont | 409-839-2087 | website |
| EMT, AEMT, Paramedic | Laredo College | One West End Washington Street | Laredo | 956-721-5397 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Lone Star College-Cy Fair | 9191 Barker Cypress Road | Cypress | 281-290-5906 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Lone Star College-Montgomery | 3200 College Park Dr | Conroe | 936-271-6327 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Lone Star College-North Harris | 2700W Thorne Dr | Houston | 281-618-5753 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | McLennan Community College | 1400 College Dr | Waco | 254-299-6504 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Midland College | 3600 N Garfield | Mildland | 432-685-4705 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Navarro College | 1900 John Arden Dr | Waxahachie | 972-923-6447 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | North Central Texas College | 1500 North Corinth Street | Corinth | 940-498-6254 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Odessa College | 201 W University Blvd | Odessa | 432-335-6840 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Paris Junior College | 2400 Clarksville St | Paris | 903-782-0750 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | San Antonio College | 1300 San Pedro Ave | San Antonio | 210-486-1502 | website |
| EMT, AEMT, Paramedic | South Plains College | 819 Gilbert Dr | Lubbock | 806-716-4635 | website |
| EMT, AEMT, Paramedic | South Texas College | 1101 E Vermont | McAllen | 956-872-3048 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Tarrant County College – Northeast Campus | 828 West Harwood Road | Hurst | 817-515-6448 | website |
| EMT, AEMT, Paramedic | Temple College | 2600 South First Street | Temple | 254-298-8563 | website |
| EMR, EMT, Paramedic | Texarkana College | 2500 North Robinson Rd | Texarkana | 903-823-3411 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Texas Southmost College | 80 Fort Brown | Brownsville | 956-295-3511 | website |
| EMR, EMT, AEMT, Paramedic | Texas State Technical College-Abilene | 650 E Hwy 80 | Abilene | 325-201-2605 | website |
| EMR, EMT, AEMT, Paramedic | Texas State Technical College-Harlingen | 1902 North Loop 499 | Harlingen | 956-364-4739 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Trinity Valley Community College | 2970 North State Hwy 19 | Palestine | 903-723-7052 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Tyler Junior College | 1400 Fifth Street Hwy 64 East | Tyler | 903-510-2695 | website |
| Paramedic | University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio | 7703 Floyd Curl Drive | San Antonio | 210-567-7839 | website |
| EMT, AEMT, Paramedic | Victoria College | 2200 E Red River | Victoria | 361-572-6447 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Weatherford College | 225 College Park Drive | Weatherford | 817-598-6234 | website |
| EMT, Paramedic | Wharton County Junior College | 911 East Boling Hwy | Wharton | 979-532-6540 | website |
If you obtained your EMS license from another state, you can use the principle of reciprocity to get certified in Texas. Remember that some professions like ECA, FR, EMR are not qualified. EMS is the only profession that can be certified using this process.
Every applicant must satisfy these prerequisites:
The Texas Fingerprint Service Code Form contains guidelines for arranging a meeting with IdentoGo. You will have to cover any associated costs.
You can see the present condition of your license on this page: Verify Your EMT License Status.
State provides guidelines about acquiring a license or a certificate in Texas. You can contact – EMS Certification and Licensing Group over the phone at (512) 834-6700 or write them an email at EMSCert@dshs.texas.gov.
You can find professional advice at The Texas Emergency Medical Services Board website. This is not a standalone agency; instead, it operates under the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshal’s Association of Texas. This organization arranges various meetings, conferences and protects EMS professionals.
