There is a need for more people to volunteer and help with emergency medical services in rural Idaho communities. Idaho relies on volunteer EMS providers in many of our communities. Approximately 40 percent of Idaho's EMS providers are volunteers. Almost 10 percent of them also work as career EMS providers with another agency.
EMS licensing and other rules pertaining to emergency medical services in Idaho fall under the jurisdiction of the DHW's Division of Public Health, Bureau of EMS and Preparedness.
To volunteer, or pursue a career to practice EMS in Idaho, you must be licensed by the state as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced EMT (AEMT), or Paramedic.
To obtain an Idaho EMS personnel license, apply online through the bureau’s application and record system, IGEMS.
- Be age 16 or older for EMR and EMT.
- Be age 18 for Advanced EMT and Paramedic.
- Pass a background check with the DHW Background Check Unit.
- Successfully complete the initial EMS course for that level of license with a state-approved education program.
- Successfully complete the state recognized standardized online cognitive exam that tests your EMS knowledge and psychomotor exam that tests the application of your knowledge and proficiency of skills. Find more information here.
- If you currently hold an EMS license in another state or hold a current certification with the National Registry of EMTs, you may apply for a license of the same level or lower with this proof instead of taking an initial EMS course.
- If you are licensed with a REPLICA member state, contact the bureau for information on obtaining an Idaho EMS License.
- Be affiliated with an Idaho EMS agency licensed to operate with personnel licensed at your level or a higher level. Being affiliated means you have found an EMS agency that has agreed to add you to the agency’s roster as a volunteer or career (paid employee) first responder. This will be verified during the application process.
EMS Agency Information
Resources for License Applications
Online applications
Initial license provider application and instructions can be found on the IGEMS website.
Instructions for obtaining an initial EMS license or by reciprocity:
- Complete a department Background Unit background check
- Apply for the background check
- The Pay Code is JFPUZW
- If your EMS agency is paying for the background check, add their agency number in addition to #1350.
- Go to https://www.idahoemslicense.net/lms/public/ and select “create an account.” Under “applications” you will find the initial application. Select “Provider BLS License – Initial” if you are an EMR or EMT, and select “Provider ALS License – Initial” if you are an Advanced EMT or Paramedic.
- Complete and submit the level appropriate application
- You will need to submit a copy of your photo ID. Acceptable forms of ID are: driver’s license, state identification card, or military identification card.
- You will need to submit a copy of your photo ID. Acceptable forms of ID are: driver’s license, state identification card, or military identification card.
- After completing the application you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application.
- If you are coming from another state, you will also receive an email containing the License Verification Request Form. You will need to complete the first portion of this form. After filling out your information, the form needs to be sent to each state in which you were licensed or applied for license. The state you were licensed in will return the completed form to the Idaho Bureau of EMS.
- You will need to successfully pass the National Registry of EMT’s (NREMT) computer-based assessment examination for the license level you are applying for.
- Apply for the assessment examination at www.nremt.org. Instructions to sign up for the assessment exam can be found on the NREMT website.
- You only need to take the assessment exam if you have not taken the NREMT exam within the past number of months that matches your license level:
- EMR – 36 months
- EMT – 36 months
- AEMT – 24 months
- Paramedic – 24 months
- Secure affiliation with a licensed Idaho EMS agency
- If you are unable to secure affiliation, you may be eligible for a certificate of eligibility.
- If you are unable to secure affiliation, you may be eligible for a certificate of eligibility.
- Advanced EMT and paramedic applicants must pay a $35 licensure fee.
- For step-by-step instructions, view the PDF instructions.
If you have any further questions, call the bureau at 877-554-3367
Paper applications
Paper applications are available upon request by calling 208-334-4000. Note that processing times will be increased if using paper applications.
Online applications
Renewal license provider application and instructions can be found on the IGEMS website.
Paper applications
Paper applications are available upon request at 208-334-4000. Note that processing times will be increased if using paper applications.
If your EMS license has expired, you cannot represent yourself or provide patient care as an EMS provider in Idaho. If you do, you are breaking the law.
To represent yourself or provide patient care as an EMS provider in Idaho, you must reinstate your license within 24 months of your license expiration date. The requirements listed below must be completed before reinstatement will occur. If your license is not reinstated within 24 months of your license expiration date, you will need to retake your initial course and meet all other requirements to gain initial personnel licensure.
NOTE: The AEMT-85s license level may not be reinstated. AEMT-85s may complete EMT-2011 transition requirements and reinstate at that level or complete all AEMT-2011 transition requirements and reinstate at that level.
Online applications
To reinstate an expired Emergency Medical Services license, reinstatement license provider application and instructions can be found on the IGEMS website.
- Complete an Idaho EMS License Reinstatement Application on IGEMS.
- Successful completion of transition requirements for the license level being reinstated is required in most cases. (These hours may be counted toward your continuing education requirements.) Include proof of completion of transition requirements with the reinstatement application. If applicable, please submit the EMS Personnel License Transition Application along with the reinstatement application.
- Provide documentation of continuing education (CE) hours consistent with renewal requirements of the lapsed license plus additional CE hours for each month lapsed. (See grid below for required hours.) Record all required CE on the education record of the reinstatement application.
- Apply for the assessment exam for the lapsed level of licensure at www.nremt.org. Instructions to sign up for the assessment exam can be found on the NREMT website.
- Complete a department criminal history background check.
- Apply for the background check and schedule a fingerprinting appointment.
- The agency number or Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 1350.
- If your EMS agency is paying for the background check, add their agency number in addition to #1350.
- Send an Idaho EMS License Verification Request form to any/all states where you have held or applied for an EMS license. The form will be submitted to the Idaho EMS Bureau office for review by the verifying state. (The form is attached to the reinstatement application.)
- Include a copy of your photo ID.
- Advanced EMT and Paramedic candidates must pay a $35 licensure fee.
If you have any further questions, please call the bureau at 877-554-3367.
|
Level of Lapsed License |
Continuing Education Hours Required for Reinstatement |
|---|---|
|
EMR |
24 CE hours plus 45 minutes for each month lapsed |
|
EMT |
48 CE hours plus 90 minutes (1.5 hours) for each month lapsed |
|
AEMT |
54 CE hours plus 135 minutes (2.25 hours) for each month lapsed |
|
Paramedic |
72 CE hours plus 180 minutes (3 hours) for each month lapsed |
Paper applications
Paper applications are available upon request at 208-334-4000. Note that processing times will be increased if using paper applications.
The Idaho Emergency Medical Services Physician Commission (EMSPC) and Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee (EMSAC) developed a toolkit for critical access hospitals and EMS agencies to help facilitate and enhance the interfacility transfer process.
See the ABC Interfacility Transfer Certificate Class Guidelines (under development)