EMS 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.

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 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 US Department of Education.
Submit?an initial application, transcript and the non-refundable? fee.

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).?

EMS Certification
PO Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347

Phone: 512-834-6700
emscert@dshs.texas.gov