REQUIREMENTS |
EMS education: |
Candidate must provide proof of successful EMS course completion from a department-approved EMS training program. For paramedic applicants, this proof must be from a training program accredited by a department-approved national accrediting organization. |
Certification examination: |
Provide proof of a passing score on the department-approved certification examination for the level of certification. Applicants will have three attempts within twelve months of course completion to pass the examination. |
After three unsuccessful attempts, the applicant may retake the initial EMS training course, or within twelve months of the third unsuccessful attempt, complete department-approved refresher training covering airway, medical, pediatric, and trauma topics identified below, and pass the department-approved certification examination: |
• | EMR Not applicable. Must repeat EMR course. |
• | EMT twenty-four hours. |
• | AEMT thirty-six hours - Pharmacology review must be included in the refresher training. |
• | Paramedic forty-eight hours - Pharmacology review must be included in the refresher training. |
Certification application: |
High school diploma or GED: Required for EMT, AEMT and paramedic only. |
Provide proof of identity - State or federal photo I.D. (military ID, driver's license, passport). |
Provide proof of age - At least eighteen years of age. Variances to this age requirement will not be granted. |
Provide proof of EMS agency association - Active membership, paid or volunteer with: |
• | Licensed aid or ambulance service; |
• | Law enforcement agency; |
• | Business with organized industrial safety team; |
• | Senior EMS instructors or training coordinators, teaching at department-approved EMS training programs, who are unable to be associated with approved agencies above. |
Recommendation of county medical program director - Required. MPD must sign application. |
Background check - required. May include requirement for fingerprint card and FBI background check. |
[Statutory Authority: Chapters
18.71, 18.73, and
70.168 RCW. WSR 11-07-078, § 246-976-141, filed 3/22/11, effective 5/15/11; WSR 00-08-102, § 246-976-141, filed 4/5/00, effective 5/6/00.]
(Effective September 30, 2024)
To obtain initial EMS provider certification following the successful completion of Washington state approved EMS course.
To apply for initial EMS provider certification following the successful completion of a Washington state approved EMS course, an applicant must:
(1) Submit a completed application on forms provided by the department;
(2) Be at least 18 years of age and provide their date of birth on the initial certification application. Variances to this age requirement will not be granted;
(3) Successfully complete a background check provided by the department. The background check may include the requirement for fingerprint card and FBI background check. If an applicant has submitted fingerprints and has been informed by the department that their fingerprints were rejected and must be redone, the applicant may request a temporary practice permit in accordance with WAC 246-12-050;
(4) Provide proof of high school diploma or GED for EMT, AEMT, and paramedic level certifications;
(5) Provide proof of competency, a current and valid certification from another state or national organization recognized by the department;
(6) Provide proof of active membership paid or volunteer with a licensed aid or ambulance service, or an EMS service supervisory organization (ESSO) recognized by the department. Senior EMS instructors or training coordinators teaching at department-approved EMS training programs who are unable to be with approved agencies above may affiliate with department-approved training programs with the approval from the county medical program director; and
(7) Be recommended by the county medical program director. The county medical program director must sign the application.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.71.205,
18.73.081,
43.70.040,
70.168.050, 2017 c 70, 2017 c 295, 2020 c 76, 2021 c 276, 2019 c 314, 2021 c 69, and 2022 c 136. WSR 24-15-104, § 246-976-141, filed 7/22/24, effective 9/30/24. Statutory Authority: Chapters
18.71, 18.73, and
70.168 RCW. WSR 11-07-078, § 246-976-141, filed 3/22/11, effective 5/15/11; WSR 00-08-102, § 246-976-141, filed 4/5/00, effective 5/6/00.]