Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification
Important Notice: Due to changes in state regulations regarding the issuance of EMT certificates, applications may take up to 30 days to process. In some cases additional processing time may be needed for issues related to background investigations. CVEMSA no longer offers drop-in services. Please contact us by phone or email for service.
Initial EMT Certification
To practice as an emergency medical technician (EMT) in California, you must obtain certification from a Local EMS Agency. CVEMSA is the Local EMS Agency for Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
These are the steps to follow, and the materials needed to obtain your initial EMT certification:
| Step | Description | Material needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Complete Live Scan background fingerprint scan using CVEMSA form (may be submitted to any authorized Live Scan location) | Live Scan form (PDF) |
| 2 | Complete Initial EMT Application via CVEMSA License Management System | Log into Online License Management System to access or create account and begin application |
| 3 | Provide proof of completed EMT Course Completion issued within two years of application date*** | Digital image of course completion certificate*** |
| 4 | Provide proof of age and identity (you must be 18 or older) | Digital image of your government-issued photo ID |
| 5 | Provide proof of completed National Registry testing within two years of application date | Digital image of NREMT Registry certificate or current valid NREMT EMT card*** |
| 6 | Provide proof of submitted Live Scan background fingerprint scan | Digital image of completed Live Scan form with ATI number provided by Live Scan location |
| 7 | Provide proof of CPR course completion | Digital image of your CPR card* |
| 8 | Pay initial certification fee** | Online payment of $155 |
| 9 | Successfully complete LMS application process | All LMS requirements met and documents submitted |
*Online CPR certification cards are not accepted unless the course includes a hands-on, psycho-motor assessment with an on-site instructor.
**Includes the $75 State of California EMT Registry processing fee.
*** Applicants with a current valid NREMT EMT registry card may submit the card in lieu of course completion certificate and NREMT testing.
EMT Certification Renewal - Coastal Valleys EMS Agency Issued Certificates
To renew your EMT certification every two years, you must keep your CPR certificate current, and take continuing education or refresher classes from an approved CE provider. If your current EMT Certificate was issued by a Local EMS Agency other than Coastal Valleys EMS Agency, please
You must provide proof of current healthcare provider CPR certification, and either (a) complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) training through an approved CE provider within 24 months of application date, or (b) attend and pass an EMT refresher class taught by an EMT training program within 24 months of application date. You must also provide proof of EMT skills competency. CVEMSA will accept a maximum of twelve (12) hours of issued CE per day.
These are the steps to follow, and the materials needed to renew your EMT certification:
| Step | Description | Material needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Complete EMT Renewal / Lapsed Under One Year Application via CVEMSA License Management System | Log into Online License Management System to access or create account and begin application |
| 2 | Provide proof of completed EMT Refresher training course completion or 24 hours of EMS Continuing Education (CE) taken within 24 months of application. If submitting CE, at least 12 hours must be "instructor based" CE. No CE under one (1) hour will be accepted. | Digital image(s) of course completion certificate or EMS CE Certificates issued by EMS Training Program or EMS CE Provider(s). CVEMSA will accept a maximum of twelve (12) hours of issued CE per day. |
| 3 | Provide proof of identity | Digital image of your government-issued photo ID |
| 4 | Provide proof of Skills Verification including copy of Approved Skills Verifier's certificate or license. An Approved Skills Verifier must be currently licensed or certified as an EMT, AEMT, Paramedic, Registered Nurse, Physician Assistant, or Physician, and be approved to verify skills by:
| Digital image of completed Skills Verification Form (PDF) and Verifier's healthcare provider certificate or license showing current valid status. |
| 5 | Provide proof of CPR course completion | Digital image of your CPR card* |
| 6 | Pay certification renewal fee** | Online payment of $117 |
| 7 | Successfully complete LMS application process | All LMS requirements met and documents submitted |
*Online CPR certification cards are not accepted unless the course includes a hands-on, psycho-motor assessment with an on-site instructor.
**Includes the State of California EMT Registry processing fee. EMTs submitting Live Scan background for the first time are assessed $75; applicants with background on file are assessed $37.
Lapsed EMT Certification - Coastal Valleys EMS Agency Issued Certificates
If you have been certified as an EMT in the past, but do not hold a current certification, you may be able to renew your certification status by following one of these procedures. If your lapsed EMT Certificate was issued by a Local EMS Agency other than Coastal Valleys EMS Agency, please
Lapsed less than 6 months
| Step | Description | Material needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Complete EMT Renewal / Lapsed Under One Year Application via CVEMSA License Management System | Log into Online License Management System to access or create account and begin application |
| 2 | Provide proof of completed EMT Refresher training course completion or 24 hours of EMS Continuing Education (CE) taken within 24 months of application. If submitting CE, at least 12 hours must be "instructor based" CE. No CE under one (1) hour will be accepted | Digital image(s) of course completion certificate or EMS CE Certificates issued by EMS Training Program or EMS CE Provider(s). CVEMSA will accept a maximum of twelve (12) hours of issued CE per day. |
| 3 | Provide proof of identity | Digital image of your government-issued photo ID |
| 4 | Provide proof of Skills Verification including copy of Approved Skills Verifier's certificate or license. An Approved Skills Verifier must be currently licensed or certified as an EMT, AEMT, Paramedic, Registered Nurse, Physician Assistant, or Physician, and be approved to verify skills by:
| Digital image of completed Skills Verification Form (PDF) and Verifier's healthcare provider certificate or license showing current valid status. |
| 5 | Provide proof of CPR course completion | Digital image of your CPR card* |
| 6 | Pay certification renewal fee** | Online payment of $117 |
| 7 | Successfully complete LMS application process | All LMS requirements met and documents submitted |
*Online CPR certification cards are not accepted unless the course includes a hands-on, psycho-motor assessment with an on-site instructor.
**Includes the $37 State of California EMT Registry processing fee.
Lapsed 6 to 12 months
| Step | Description | Material needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Complete EMT Renewal / Lapsed Under One Year Application via CVEMSA License Management System | Log into Online License Management System to access or create account and begin application |
| 2 | Provide proof of completed EMT Refresher training course completion and 12 additional hours EMS Continuing Education (CE) or 36 hours of EMS CE taken within 24 months of application. If submitting CE, at least 18 hours must be "instructor based" CE. No CEU under one (1) hour will be accepted. | Digital image(s) of course completion certificate or EMS CE Certificates issued by EMS Training Program or EMS CE Provider(s). CVEMSA will accept a maximum of twelve (12) hours of issued CE per day. |
| 3 | Provide proof of identity | Digital image of your government-issued photo ID |
| 4 | Provide proof of Skills Verification including copy of Approved Skills Verifier's certificate or license. An Approved Skills Verifier must be currently licensed or certified as an EMT, AEMT, Paramedic, Registered Nurse, Physician Assistant, or Physician, and be approved to verify skills by:
| Digital image of completed Skills Verification Form (PDF) and Verifier's healthcare provider certificate or license showing current valid status. |
| 5 | Provide proof of CPR course completion | Digital image of your CPR card* |
| 6 | Pay certification renewal fee** | Online payment of $117 |
| 7 | Successfully complete LMS application process | All LMS requirements met and documents submitted |
*Online CPR certification cards are not accepted unless the course includes a hands-on, psycho-motor assessment with an on-site instructor.
**Includes the $37 State of California EMT Registry processing fee for CVEMSA-certified EMTs reinstating a lapsed certificate or the $75 State of California EMT Registry processing fee for reinstating lapsed certificates issued by another certifying entity.
Lapsed over 12 months
| Step | Description | Material needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Complete EMT Reinstatement Application via CVEMSA License Management System | Log into Online License Management System to access or create account and begin application |
| 2 | Pass the NREMT Basic cognitive and psychomotor examination with two years of date of application or provide proof of possession of current and valid EMT, AEMT or paramedic NREMT certificate or a current and valid California AEMT or paramedic license | Digital images of NREMT exam results showing passing scores dated within two years of application date or digital image of certificate or license used to meet requirement. |
| 3 | Provide proof of completed EMT Refresher training course completion and 24 additional hours EMS Continuing Education (CE) or 48 hours of EMS CE taken within 24 months of application. If submitting CE, at least 24 hours must be "instructor based" CE. No CE under one (1) hour will be accepted. | Digital image(s) of course completion certificate or EMS CE Certificates issued by EMS Training Program or EMS CE Provider(s). CVEMSA will accept a maximum of twelve (12) hours of issued CE per day. |
| 4 | Provide proof of identity | Digital image of your government-issued photo ID |
| 5 | Provide proof of Skills Verification including copy of Approved Skills Verifier's certificate or license. An Approved Skills Verifier must be currently licensed or certified as an EMT, AEMT, Paramedic, Registered Nurse, Physician Assistant, or Physician, and be approved to verify skills by:
| Digital image of completed Skills Verification Form (PDF) and Verifier's healthcare provider certificate or license showing current valid status. |
| 6 | Provide proof of submitted Live Scan background fingerprint scan. Repeat of the Live Scan is required after a lapse in EMT Certification of 12 months or more. | Digital image of completed Live Scan form (PDF) with ATI number provided by Live Scan location |
| 7 | Provide proof of CPR course completion | Digital image of your CPR card* |
| 8 | Pay certification renewal fee** | Online payment of $155.00 |
| 9 | Successfully complete LMS application process | All LMS requirements met and documents submitted |
*Online CPR certification cards are not accepted unless the course includes a hands-on, psycho-motor assessment with an on-site instructor.
**EMTs entering the registry with 12 months or longer lapse in certification are assessed the $75 State of California EMT Registry processing fee and are required to complete another Live Scan.
Initial applicants with out-of-state certification or NREMT certificate holders who want to certify in California please call (707) 565-6501 for details.