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EMS provider certification

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Initial EMS provider certification

To become an EMS provider in Colorado, you must hold a current National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians registration and apply for certification on the Online Application Tracking Hub. Colorado issues a 3-year certificate to first-time EMS providers whose applications meet all initial certification requirements. You must create an OATH account to start the online application process.

Create an OATH account                              

Application steps

Initial applicants for Colorado EMS provider certification, must first:

  1. Complete a full EMS provider course at the level you wish to practice at.
  2. Gain a NREMT registration by passing both NREMT exams (written and psychomotor).
  3. Create an OATH account to apply for certification.
  4. Submit the "Application for Initial Certification" within your OATH account.
  5. Submit a fingerprint-based criminal history record information search to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
    • Both CBI and FBI results must be requested.
    • Fingerprints must be submitted within 60 days prior to or following the submission of your OATH application.
    • Failure to submit an OATH application within 60 days of getting fingerprinted may require you to submit a new fingerprint-based background check with all of the associated fees.

View detailed instructions                     

Next steps

  1. Wait for the fingerprint sample to be processed by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
    • The department will receive the fingerprinting results from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
    • Results will be added to your OATH application for further processing.
  2. Await for a notification from the department of the approval or rejection of your application. Common rejection reasons include missing required documentation, application input errors or other issues.
    • Once approved as a Colorado EMS provider, the department will email instructions on printing the Colorado EMS provider certificate.

Application requirements

Initial and reinstatement applicants for Colorado EMS provider certification must gather the following prior to applying for certification:

  • A fingerprint-based background check that's been submitted to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation within 60 days prior to or following the submission of your OATH application.
    • ​Prior criminal history record searches via other organizations are not acceptable. New fingerprints must be collected and submitted to the CBI for the EMS provider certification process.
    • Failure to submit an OATH application within 60 days of getting fingerprinted may require you to submit a new fingerprint-based background check with all of the associated fees.
  • A valid NREMT registration at the provider level you intend to practice at.
  • An image of your current and valid CPR card.
  • An image of your current and valid ACLS card (Paramedic applicants only).

More information

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Renewal EMS provider certification

Emergency medical technicians in Colorado must renew their state certification every three years. EMS providers who are within 6 months of their certificate expiration date are eligible to apply for a renewal of EMS certification. Colorado accepts a current valid NREMT number as proof of the required continuing education and skills competency. EMS providers who are not registered with the NREMT can renew their certification using the state renewal method. The state renewal method requires EMS providers to:

  • Gain the required amount of continuing education for their practice level.
  • Demonstrate skills competency (your education program will verify).
  • Log on to your OATH account and apply for renewal certification (all renewal applicants have an account).
  • Specify a Colorado-recognized EMS education program to verify your CE and skills within your OATH application.

Continuing education may be obtained from various sources, but you must contact and choose one recognized program to verify your CE and perform a skills test. Use the links below to find a Colorado EMS education program authorized by the department to verify CE and skills.

More information

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Certification level upgrade

Certified EMS providers may want to upgrade to a higher level of certification. All certification upgrade applicants must:

  • Complete and pass a course at the higher certification level.

  • Pass the NREMT written and psychomotor exams.

  • Obtain your new NREMT number at the higher level.

  • Apply for the Colorado certification upgrade in your OATH account using your new NREMT number.

Intermediate-99 in Colorado

Colorado offers EMS certification at the Intermediate-99 level. Since the NREMT no longer recognizes EMT Intermediate-99, they no longer issue NREMT numbers for that level of practice. When applying for Colorado EMS certification, applicants who wish to certify at the Intermediate-99 level must upload documentation from the NREMT into their OATH application that shows they’ve passed both written and psychomotor tests.Those currently certified at the Intermediate-99 level can use the State CE and skills attestation method to renew their certification.

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Reinstatement of certification

EMS providers whose certification has lapsed more than 6 months are considered reinstatement applicants. This means they must complete the Colorado initial certification/license application process. Initial applicants must present a valid NREMT registration at the intended level of practice.

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