You can find a list of EMS training program through the EMS Authority website. Use this link to go to the Training Programs page: https://emsa.ca.gov/training_programs/

You will need to contact the respective training providers for detailed registration information.

There are three EMT training programs in Monterey County. They are at Hartnell College, Monterey Peninsula College (MPC), and Seaside High School through the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District.

Direct your questions to the NREMT at NREMT.ORG or call (614) 888-4484.

An NREMT card certifies that you have passed the state certification exam and are eligible to become certified in California. The NREMT does not authorize you to perform EMT level services in California. You must complete the California certification process to obtain EMT certification in California.

Whether you maintain (renew) your NREMT eligibility is up to you. There is no California requirement to maintain NREMT currency once you are California EMT certified. NREMT eligibility renewal requirement are located at NREMT.ORG and are independent of the California EMT certification process.

You will need to submit the following items to apply for initial EMT certification through the Monterey County EMS Agency:

• EMT Application. The application (EMT Application) must be complete; with original signature and date. The application may be obtained at the EMS Agency or through the EMS Agency website: EMT application information
• Course Completion Certificate. The course completion certificate must be dated within two (2) years of application submission. You need to provide either a California Approved EMT Training Course certificate or documentation of successfully completing an approved out-of-state EMT Training Course.  Copy of National Registry Certificate Card and Exam Certificate. Your NREMT eligibility period is two (2) years from passing the computer-based NREMT exam.  Copy of Proof of Identity and Age. A current driver’s license or ID card issued by the DMV or DOD Military ID card meets this requirement. You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to certify as an EMT.  Current CPR Card. A current CPR card that is equivalent to the American Heart Association Healthcare Provider or BLS level must be submitted as part of the application packet. Online CPR training without a hands-on demonstration of skills does not meet the requirement.  Fee ($75). Provide a cashier’s check or money order issued to: California EMS AUTHORITY for $75. The application fee will be forwarded to EMS Authority for you. Personal checks, cash, or credit cards are not accepted.  Completed Live Scan Application. Attach a copy of the completed Live Scan Application.  If applicable, a written explanation (statement) regarding any affirmative response to the questions regarding convictions, arrests, medical certification or license actions needs to accompany your application. Verified court records should be submitted for any felony or misdemeanor convictions.

There are certain criminal convictions for which EMT certification will NEVER be granted to applicants, see information in the following question. There are other convictions which require applicants to wait up to ten (10) years before applying for an EMT certification. State statute requires applying for EMT certification within two (2) years of completing the EMT Training Course; so you should consider whether to take an EMT course with a criminal background – recognizing your certification may be delayed or denied.

Per California Code of Regulations (Section 100214.3 of Title 22) the medical director shall deny or revoke an EMT or Advanced EMT certificate if any of the following apply to the applicant:

1. Has committed any sexually related offense specified under Section 290 of the Penal Code.
2. Has been convicted of murder, attempted murder, or murder for hire.
3. Has been convicted of two (2) or more felonies.
4. Is on parole or probation for any felony.
5. Has been convicted and released from incarceration for said offense during the preceding fifteen (15) years for the crime of manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter.
6. Has been convicted and released from incarceration for said offense during the preceding ten (10) years for any offense punishable as a felony.
7. Has been convicted of two (2) or more misdemeanors within the preceding five (5) years for any offense relating to the use, sale, possession, or transportation of narcotics or addictive or dangerous drugs.
8. Has been convicted of two (2) or more misdemeanors within the preceding five (5) years for any offense relating to force, threat, violence, or intimidation.
9. Has been convicted within the preceding five (5) years of any theft related misdemeanor.

1. EMT Application: The application (EMT Application) must be complete; with original signature and date. This includes the Affidavit page of the application. If applicable, written explanation (statement) and verified court records of any affirmative response on the Affidavit page needs to accompany your application. The application is posted on the web page.>
2. Copy of Proof of EMT Training: Completion certificate must be dated within two (2) years of application submission. You need to provide either a California Approved EMT Training Course certificate or documentation of successfully completing an out-of-state EMT-Basic Training Course that meets California’s requirements.
3. Fee ($75): Provide a cashier’s check or money order issued to the EMS AUTHORITY for $75. The application fee will be forwarded to EMS Authority for you. No personal checks, cash, or credit cards are accepted.
4. Copy of Proof of Identity and Age: A current driver’s license or ID card issued by the DMV or DOD Military ID card meets this requirement. You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to certify as an EMT.
5. Copy of National Registry Certificate Card and Exam Certificate. Your NREMT eligibility period is two (2) years from passing the computer-based NREMT exam.
6. Copy of CPR Card: CPR card that is equivalent to the American Heart Association Healthcare Provider level. Online CPR training without a hands-on demonstration of skills is not accepted.
7. Background Investigations: All applicants must submit a FBI and California DOJ criminal background check request through the Live Scan Program.
8. The Monterey County EMS Agency must be listed as the Agency authorized (ORI AA880) to receive criminal history and subsequent information. Ensure you use Live Scan application (form) that is posted on Monterey County’s web page at Live Scan Application. Complete two Live Scan applications and submit them to the Live Scan service provider. The service provider will return one of the completed applications to the candidate. Monterey LiveScan locations. Total cost for a Live Scan is about $75: Includes DOJ and FBI processing fee, and agency ‘rolling charge.’ The applicant assumes this expense.
9. The FBI and DOJ LiveScan reports are sent directly to the EMS Agency; not to the applicant. The EMS Agency will notify the applicant of detrimental information from the Live Scan reports that may be a basis for discipline action (denial, suspension, probation, revocation). The applicant has the right to review the negative report and provide explanation; the applicant does not receive a copy of positive or negative Live Scan reports.
10. Live Scan reports are usually provided within seventy-two (72) hours of submission. If you have an arrest and/or conviction in your background– your report could take several weeks/months. The time depends on how long it takes the DOJ/FBI to process your fingerprints and records. If you have a positive conviction-history, we recommend submitting your Live Scan application as soon as possible and advising the EMS Agency of your intentions/actions.
11. Contact the EMS Agency for guidance if you are planning to submit a Live Scan application outside of California and requesting an exception.
12. The requirement to complete the Live Scan process needs to be completed only once with the Monterey County EMS Agency. Live Scan submissions for other agencies, does not satisfy the EMT certification requirement even if used for EMT certification with another County. Live Scan reports cannot be shared between agencies or unauthorized individuals.

1. EMT Application: The application (EMT Application) must be complete; with original signature and dated. This includes the Affidavit page of the application. If applicable, written explanation (statement) and verified court records of any affirmative response needs to accompany your application. The application is posted on the web page.
2. Fee ($37): Provide a cashier’s check or money order issued to the EMS AUTHORITY for $37. The applicant fee will be forwarded to the EMS Authority for you. No personal checks, cash, or credit cards are accepted. There is an additional $38 EMS Authority fee to process your Live Scan report if you are renewing your certification and transferring certifying entity. If you are transferring certification from another county your fee is $75 not $37.
3. Copy of CPR Card: CPR card that is equivalent to the American Heart Association Healthcare Provider level. Online CPR training without a hands-on demonstration of skills is not accepted.
4. Copy of EMT Certification Card: A copy of your permanent state EMT card.
5. Background Investigations: A new Live Scan background investigation for certification renewal is only required when you allow your EMT certification to lapse more than one (1) year or if you are transferring you certification from one certifying entity (i.e., San Cruz) to a new certifying entity (i.e., Monterey).
6. Continuing Education (24 Hours): A copy of a twenty-four (24) hour Refresher Course certificate or copies of Continuing Education (CE) certifications (See CE Information more additional information).
7. Skills Verification: A copy of your completed Skills Verification form.

A California EMT certification card is valid statewide regardless of the local certifying entity. You are not allowed to apply for a California EMT certification at more than one agency.

Once all of your certification requirements have been met, the Monterey County EMS Agency will issue (provide via email) a forty-five (45) day temporary card to you. The temporary card allows you to perform EMT level services in California as of the effective date on the card. Normally, this certification process takes less than ten (10) business days if all requirements have been met. We do not issue cards the same day an application is submitted. Your permanent EMT certification card will be issued (mailed) to you by the California EMS Authority within 3-4 weeks of completing your certification requirements and being entered into the California EMT Central Registry.

Your forty-five (45) day temporary EMT certification card is paper with an embossed seal and EMS Medical Director’s signature. The permanent EMT statewide card is gray, plastic, and laminated (size of a credit card). Printed on your card is your name, Central Registry six-digit identification number (EXXXXXX), effective and expiration dates, and your status (active, probation, etc.). You need to sign the permanent card when received. If you are asked to produce your card while working, you need to have your card immediately available.

The card expiration is no longer than two (2) years. Initial expiration is dependent upon the date when you passed the NREMT exam. If you are using your paramedic license for your EMT certification; your expiration will be linked to your paramedic license expiration date.

You are required to notify the EMS Agency of any address or name change within thirty (30) days of such action. Name changes also require copies of court documentation, marriage certificate, etc.

Immediately notify the EMS Agency. The Agency will contact/request the EMS Authority send you a replacement card at no charge, and document your lost card.

In most cases an application was not processed because it was incomplete; not signed; illegibility; etc. In these cases, the EMS Agency will contact you to explain and/or request additional information/material. However, if you fail to respond to the EMS Agency’s request within thirty (30) business days, your application will be considered abandoned (destroyed) and your fee (if provided) will be returned (mailed) to you.

If your application is denied upon submission of all materials, you will be sent a letter with an explanation. The denial of an EMT certification is an extensive process than normally involves either fraud or incidents revealed in the LiveScan background investigation.

Failure to disclose your involvement in a current investigation or criminal charges; or any conviction for a misdemeanor or felony offense in California or in any other state or place, including entering a plea of nolo contendere or no contest, including any conviction which has been expunged (set aside) under Penal Code 1203.4 is considered FRAUD in the procurement of a certificate. This may result in disciplinary action and denial of your certificate. Any incident or conviction in your past must be disclosed each time you apply for certification. It is your responsibility to provide the verified court records/documents and detailed statement (explanation). In addition, you must disclose if you had a certification, accreditation, or professional healing arts license denied, suspended, revoked, or placed on probation; or if you are currently under formal investigation or disciplinary action. Again, it is your responsible to provide necessary documentation and a written explanation of facts that describes action and/or remediation.

Regardless if you are or not EMT certified in another state, you need to be currently registered by the NREMT and complete the process for initial California EMT certification.

No, the ambulance driver’s license is a separate process.

The EMS Agency does not provide hiring assistance, referrals, or recommendations.

EMS Continuation Education (CE) courses are typically one (1) or two (2) hour courses on a variety of topics. Multiple courses are taken to satisfy the EMT recertification (renewal) requirement. Conferences, workshops, training days, and exercises may offer EMS CE credits. The twenty-four (24) hour EMT Refresher is a multi-day class by one of our EMT Training Programs. Approved refresher courses meet the training hour requirement and complete the Skills Verification exam.

Visit CECBEMS.ORG for approved providers.

EMT Refresher classes are annually offered by approved EMT Training Programs located at CA EMT Refresher Courses

California EMT regulations require application to retain their EMS CE Certificates for four (4) years.

A CPR card is not a CE certificate. You may receive a CPR card as part of an approved EMS CE course. The number of CE hours for the course is determined by the EMS CE provider; a CE certificate for your CPR training is needed if you plan to use towards your renewal.

At least half of the twenty-four (24) hours of Continuing Education must be in an ‘Instructor Based’ format and cover topics in the US 2DOT Education Standards

If you are a student in a paramedic program, or have been in the past two (2) years, the school may issue you a letter for CE credit. The letter needs to reflect your status as a paramedic student, completed curriculum, date of training, etc.

1. Your EMS CE certificate was older than two (2) years.
2. Your EMS CE certificate was missing or incomplete (i.e., attendee name, certification number, course name, CE hours awarded, location, date, etc.); or appears to be altered.
3. Your EMS CE certificate was issued by a non-approved CE Provider.
4. Your CE certificate did not cover topics in the US DOT Education Standards.

1. Done at the end of your EMT training course (Initial Certification)
2. Part of your twenty-four (24) hour EMT Refresher Class (Renewal)
3. When you renew your EMT Verification (every two years) and elect not to complete an EMT Refresher Class.

Complete the State of California EMT Skills Competency Form, EMSA – SCV 1/17, and Skills Verification Form, which are only valid for two (2) years from the date of verification.

1. Qualified individuals that are licensed or certified as an EMT; AEMT; Paramedic; Registered Nurse; Physician’s Assistant; or Physician in California AND designated by an approved EMS Provider to verify EMT skills.
2. Designated individual(s) of an approved EMT or Paramedic Training Program.
3. Designated individual(s) of an approved EMS CE Provider.

Although your training officer is a licensed paramedic, he/she must also be designated for skills verification by an approved EMS Provider.

Section 1.C of Skills Competency Verification Form requires your signature and verifies the information you provided is accurate, and you demonstrated your skills to a qualified individual. It is your responsibility to confirm the individual(s) verifying your skills meets the criteria for certifying your EMT skills (i.e., qualified AND designated). Section 1.D of the Form reflects the approved EMS Provider (Certifying Authority) that designates the individual(s) verifying your skills.

The length of the skills verification is dependent upon EMT’s professional experience and expertise; and forum of testing and/or observation. Skills competency is verified by direct observation of an actual or simulated patient contact by a qualified and designated individual. Online skills verification is not accepted.

You may not work, perform, or represent yourself as an EMT after your certification expires. There are no extensions, waivers, or exceptions. You should submit your renewal application, fee, and materials to the EMS Agency at least thirty (30) days prior to certification expiration. It is your professional responsibility to maintain your certification.

There are no extensions, waivers, or exceptions.

1. Complete twenty-four (24) hours of EMS Continuous Education (CE). No CE can be older than two (2) years. A twenty-four (24) hour EMT Refresher Class can also satisfy the CE requirement.
2. Complete the Skills Verification (competency) exam.
3. Submit application, fee ($37), and CPR card.

1. Complete thirty-six (36) hours of EMS Continuous Education (CE). No CE can be older than two (2) years. A twenty-four (24) hour EMT Refresher Class can also satisfy 24 hours of the CE requirement.
2. Complete the Skills Verification (competency) exam.
3. Submit application, fee ($37), and CPR card.

1. Pass the computer-based NREMT assessment exam. Contact NREMT for registering and scheduling the NREMT exam.
2. Complete forty-eight (48) hours of EMS Continuous Education (CE). No CE can be older than two (2) years. A twenty-four (24) hour EMT Refresher Class can satisfy half of the total CE requirements and may help in passing the NREMT assessment exam.
3. Complete the Skills Verification (competency) exam.
4. Complete (resubmit) an FBI and DOJ Live Scan Background Investigation.
5. Submit an application, fee ($75), and CPR card.

For EMT certifications than lapse more than two (2) years – you need to retake the entire EMT training process and complete initial EMT certification requirements.

The EMS Agency and the EMS Authority receives a DOJ subsequent arrest notification within forty-eight (48) hours of any arrest in California. Depending upon the seriousness of the arrest, the EMS Agency may take disciplinary action against your EMT certificate. The action may include suspension and/or revocation. It is best to advise the EMS Agency and your EMS Employer (if EMT employed) if you are arrested before the Agency receives the Live Scan subsequent arrest notification.

In addition to certification and recertification (renewal) actions, an EMT certificate may be suspended or revoked on subsequent criminal activity. If your initial Live Scan report is negative, and you are subsequently arrested, the EMS Agency and the EMS Authority will be notified by the California Department of Justice (DOJ). Currently, there are no FBI subsequent arrest reports. Depending on the incident, you may be requested to provide the EMS Agency with information on the arrest.

The EMT certifying entity (EMS Medical Director) has statutory responsibility to take action against an EMT certificate holder when that person conducts themselves in an unprofessional manner or is a threat to public safety. Formal actions against an EMT certification, or denying an application for certification, must be in accordance with the California Health and Safety Code, the Administrative Procedures Act, and the relevant portions of the California Code of Regulations. All formal actions are subject to due process (i.e., notice, hearing, etc.) The Model Disciplinary Orders are used to determine the appropriate discipline based upon the conduct/incident.