Serving The Communities Of San Luis Obispo County

Serving The Communities Of San Luis Obispo County

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AGENCY

EMT CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2006

EMT BASIC INITIAL CERTIFICATION:

Effective January 1, 2006, EMTs who are applying for their initial EMT certification card must first successfully pass the EMT Basic National Registry exam and present evidence of same to the SLO County EMS Agency.

Contact the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians at http://www.nremt.org or 614-888-4484 for information about their computer-based testing program.

Listed below are all items needed for initial certification:

· Completed San Luis Obispo County EMT Certification application form

· Course Completion Certificate from an approved EMT program

· Current EMT National Registry certification card

· DMV printout dated within 7 days of application

· Current CPR certification which meets the SLO County EMS Agency standards

· Criminal background check through the Department of Justice (Live Scan)

· Pay the $50 application fee

Please Note: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to apply for certification

EMT BASIC RECERTIFICATION:

In order to apply for EMT recertification in San Luis Obispo County, candidates must submit the following to the SLO County EMS Agency:

· Course Completion Certificate from an approved 24-hour EMT refresher course

· Course Completion Certificate(s) documenting 24 hours of continuing education from an approved CE provider

AND

· Completed San Luis Obispo County EMT Recertification application form

· EMT certification card that is not more than six months expired
(see below if card is greater than six months expired)

· Current CPR certification which meets the SLO County EMS Agency standards

· Completed Verification of Skills Competencies form

· DMV printout that is dated within 7 days of application

· Criminal background check through the Department of Justice (Live Scan) – only if not previously completed for the SLO County EMS Agency

· Pay the $50 application fee

For those individuals who are recertifying from out of county or out of state, please call the EMS Agency for details (805) 546-8728, Ext. 2.

CLASS INFORMATION:

The SLO County EMS Agency no longer provides classes. EMS classes are provided by the following local colleges:

Cuesta College - Visit http://academic.cuesta.edu/nursing then go to Programs and then Emergency Medical Services, or call 805-546-3119

Allan Hancock College - Visit http://www.HancockCollege.edu or contact the Fire, Safety and Emergency Medical Services office at 805-922-6966, extension 3282.

Continuing Education (C.E.) classes are provided by CE Solutions at http://www.ems-ce.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Who is the EMT certifying authority in California?

EMT certification falls under the local county emergency medical services agency jurisdiction and is valid statewide.

Where do I complete my background check (Live Scan)?

The EMS Agency has the required forms and location of sites approved in SLO County. Certification applications cannot be processed until the EMS Agency has received your record from the Department of Justice.

Do I have to be fingerprinted each time I recertify?

Once you have completed a Live Scan background check (in which the SLO County EMS Agency is the “noticed” agency), you do not need to repeat this step upon recertification.

Do I have to submit a DMV printout each time I recertify?

Yes.

How often do I need to recertify?

Every two years.

Is it permissible to work with an expired EMT certification card?

No, it is against the law. There is no “grace period.”

If my certification has expired, can I still recertify?

Yes, within the following parameters:

IF AN EMT CERTIFICATION IS:	THEN:
Not yet expired…	24 Hours of Refresher/CE Hours are required
0-6 months expired…	24 Hours of Refresher/CE Hours are required (no additional)
Greater than 6 months but less than 12 months expired…	36 hours of CE is required (12 additional)
12 months but less than 24 months expired…	48 Hours of CE is required PLUS Completion of National Registry Exam
Greater than 24 months expired…	You must repeat the entire EMT-I Basic Course and take the National Registry Exam

How long will it take to process my EMT certification?

Once the EMS Agency receives a “clear” background check through the Department of Justice, it will take up to 14 business days to process your certification card. If an applicant has a conviction on their record, additional processing time will apply.

What if I have additional questions?

Contact the SLO County EMS Agency at (805) 546-8728, Ext. 2,. We are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and are happy to answer your questions by phone or in person. Our address is:

712 Fiero Lane, Unit 29

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Memorandum - EMT Student Determination of Certification Eligibility