EMS Personnel

Idaho EMS personnel licensing falls under the jurisdiction of the Bureau. To practice EMS in Idaho as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), or Paramedic you must obtain a license from the state of Idaho, report an unrestricted license from an EMS Compact member state, or approved by the Bureau for limited request for recognition under an Idaho-licensed agency or wildfire MEDL.

On This Page

Detailed information on the application process, requirements, and more can be found in the sections below for:

  • IGEMS Quick Links
  • Initial License or Reciprocity
  • License Renewal
  • Reinstatement
  • REPLICA
  • Ambulance Based Clinicians
Initial License or Reciprocity

To apply for a three-year EMR or EMT license, you must be at least 16 years old.

To apply for a two-year AEMT or Paramedic license, you must be at least 18 years old.

You must have completed one of the following:

  • Passed an initial Idaho EMS course within the last 24 months
  • An active out of state provider’s license
  • An NREMT certification
Initial License Application Checklist
Click here for a detailed checklist to walk you through the initial licensure application process.
Eligibility

If you are currently licensed with a REPLICA member state, see the REPLICA sections below to review your options for license reciprocity.

  • Be age 16 or older for EMR and EMT.
  • Be age 18 for Advanced EMT and Paramedic.
  • Pass a background check with the IDHW Background Check Unit.
    • Apply for the background check.
    • The Pay Code is JFPUZW.
    • If your EMS agency is paying for the background check, contact the Bureau for guidance 208-334-4000.
Renewal

Your renewal application becomes available, in IGEMS, six months prior to your license expiring.

License Renewal Application Checklist
Click here for a detailed checklist to walk you through the licensure renewal application process.
Requirements
  • Must have Affiliation with an EMS Agency: To apply for license renewal, you must be affiliated with a licensed EMS agency operating at or above the level of the license being renewed. Your affiliation must be entered into IGEMS to be recognized on your application.
  • Reporting of Continuing Education for Licensure Renewal: Your continuing education must meet the requirements for your license level. Continuing Education Requirements link.
    • Options for reporting continuing education:
      • CE hours reported in IGEMS
      • NREMT renewed within the last 2 years
  • Must be Credentialed by a Medical Director: Medical Director credentialing demonstrates a proficiency of skill at the level consistent with the scope of practice.
  • Licensure Fee: For Advanced EMT and Paramedic applicants, there is a $35 licensure fee. Once all other requirements have been verified, you will receive an email to submit your payment online or by check.

 

NOTE: If your AEMT-85 license expires, you may not license at the same level. AEMT-85s applying for reinstatement will be licensed at the EMT level.

Reinstatement

Reinstatement applications must be submitted within 24 months of license expiration.

License Reinstatement Application Checklist
Click here for a detailed checklist to walk you through the license reinstatement application process.
Eligibility

It is against the law to provide patient care as an EMS provider if your EMS license has expired.

To reinstate your license, you must:

  • Be affiliated with an Idaho EMS agency licensed to operate with personnel licensed at your level or a higher level.
    • Affiliation 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.
  • You must reinstate your license within 24 months of your license expiration date.
    • If your license is not reinstated within 24 months of your license expiration date, you will need to retake an initial course and/or meet all initial requirements to regain personnel licensure in Idaho.

NOTE: If your AEMT-85 license expires, you may not license at the same level. AEMT-85s applying for reinstatement will be licensed at the EMT level.

REPLICA

REPLICA Remote State Recognition is for personnel who are looking to operate in Idaho using their REPLICA Home State license. This will grant privilege to practice. This is not an Idaho License, see the REPLICA Reciprocity section below to obtain an Idaho license.

REPLICA Reciprocity is for personnel who are looking to exchange their REPLICA Home State license for an Idaho EMS license

Remote State Recognition
Requirements

This will grant privilege to practice in Idaho as a Remote State at the level of licensure held by your affiliation. This does not grant YOU an Idaho EMS license, see the REPLICA - Reciprocity section below.

REPLICA Reciprocity

REPLICA Reciprocity is for personnel who plan to exchange their REPLICA Home State license for an Idaho EMS License. To qualify for REPLICA Reciprocity, you must have a current, valid, and unrestricted license from a REPLICA member state, and obtained affiliation with an Idaho licensed EMS Agency.

Check emscompact.gov to see which states are eligible.

Eligibility
  • You must have a current and unrestricted EMS personnel license from a REPLICA member state.
    • The application must be at the same level of licensure as your REPLICA home state license.
    • You can verify if your home state is part of the EMS Compact.
  • You must be affiliated with an Idaho licensed agency.
    • In Idaho, you may only practice at the clinical level of your affiliating agency no matter what level of personnel license is recognized through REPLICA.
REPLICA Process

Note: A new expiration date will be provided upon licensure. Your new Idaho license will be set to expire on March 31st or September 30th following your home state license expiration date. Starting six months prior to your new Idaho expiration date, you will be able to submit an Idaho Renewal Application.

  • Declare your home state license.
    • Provide your home state license expiration date.
    • Upload a copy of your home state license.
  • Identify the Idaho agency you will affiliate with.
    • The agency will be notified to confirm your affiliation.
    • You cannot affiliate with an education program or TSE facility.
  • Declare any past, current, or pending actions taken against your EMS or other medical license or certification.
  • No BCU background check required.
  • No NREMT exam required.
  • Upon confirmation of licensure and affiliation, you will be granted an Idaho license and notified by email. Your license card will be printed and mailed to the address listed in IGEMS.

Any further questions, call the Bureau at 208-334-4000.

Ambulance-Based Clinicians (ABC)

Ambulance-Based Clinician (ABC) certification is for clinicians (i.e. RNs, PAs, or NPs) looking to assist an Idaho EMS agency.

An ABC may use their certification up to an agency’s license level as follows:

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) or Intermediate Life Support (ILS) for a 911 response service (either transport or non-transport).
  • Advanced Life Support (ALS) for a licensed transport service.
Certification Process

ABC certification can be found in the agency licensing rule IDAPA 16.01.03.

Obtaining ABC Certification

For ABC certification, you must provide the following information on the Bureau’s application in IGEMS:

  • Documentation that you hold a current, unrestricted license to practice issued by the Board of Medicine or Board of Nursing; and
  • Documentation that you have successfully completed the ambulance-based clinician curriculum; or
  • Documentation that you have successfully completed an EMT course.
  • You must be affiliated with a licensed Idaho EMS agency.
    • Affiliation means an EMS agency has agreed to add you to their roster as a volunteer or career (paid employee) first responder. This will be verified during the application process.
    • The affiliated agency administrator will need to verify the qualifying license and the education requirements.
Maintaining ABC Certification
  • An ABC certificate is valid for as long as you are licensed by your respective licensing board.
  • You will be notified within 90 days of your license expiring to validate your qualifying license and affiliation to renew.

Any further questions, call the Bureau at 208-334-4000.

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