EMS Provider Licensing

Oregon Health Authority's Emergency Medical Services Program licenses these professionals in the state of Oregon:

Emergency Medical Responders (EMR)
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT)
Advanced EMT (AEMT)
EMT-Intermediate (EMT-I)
Paramedics

Resources

Oregon Licensing Information

Initial License Application Requirements

Applicants for an initial license must meet the requirements for licensure in Oregon outlined in
ORS 682 and OAR 333-265.

Reciprocity:

Individuals who are already licensed in another state, and are currently certified through NREMT, do not qualify for an initial license. However, these individuals may qualify for reciprocity. Further information about reciprocity can be found below.

Required Documents

The minimum required verification and/or documentation for all initial applicants is listed below. The documentation will be uploaded as part of the online application process.

Current certification from National Registry (NREMT) (not required for EMR or EMT-Intermediate)
Current CPR certification at the AHA BLS Provider level (or equivalent); courses must include didactic, skill performance and evaluation
Current government ID (driver's license, military ID or passport)

Paramedics who apply for an initial license are required to submit proof of an associate degree or higher, or proof of active employment as a paramedic for at least two out of the past five years. Employment must include advanced life support, first response paramedic experience in either another state or the U.S. Military and the NREMT-P level. Degree verification must be an official transcript or official letter from an accredited education institution. Degree diplomas will not be accepted. Submission of employment verification must be an official letter from your employer with letterhead, signature and contact details.

EMTs, AEMTs, Oregon EMT-Intermediates, and Transitional Paramedics who apply for an initial license are required to submit proof of a High School diploma (or equivalency).

Background Checks: All initial applicants must submit an FBI fingerprint-based national background check. Fingerprinting services are provided by Fieldprint, which will require a separate charge. Fingerprint instructions and fee information for this service will be included in the online application process.

Initial Licensure Fees

EMR - $45.00

EMT - $110.00

AEMT - $125.00

Oregon EMT-Intermediate - $125.00

Paramedic - $290.00

Oregon eLicense Online Application

Use the Oregon eLicense Portal to establish an account and apply for Oregon EMS licensure.

Go to eLicense

EMS Provider Renewal

April 1- June 30

Emergency Medical Responders renew every EVEN year
EMT, AEMT, EMT-I and Paramedics renew every ODD year

Account holders should ensure their address is updated by logging in to eLicense and navigating to their account page.

To Renew

Renew your EMS provider license on the eLicense website.

Go to eLicense

Late fees

Renewal applications submitted on or after June 1 will include a $40.00 late fee in addition to the license renewal fee.

Services Paying for Provider Renewal Fees

Oregon EMS service agencies have the option to pay for renewal applications for the following affiliated EMS providers:

Emergency Medical Responders (EMR)
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT)
Advanced EMT (AEMT)
EMT-Intermediate (EMT-I)
Paramedics

Providers must be affiliated with the service agency and currently listed on the service roster. Providers must submit a renewal application.

Renewal applications can be submitted on the eLicense website.

Late Fees: Renewal applications submitted on or after June 1 will include a $40.00 late fee in addition to the license renewal fee.

Resources

Paramedics wishing to apply for a license in Oregon who do not have an associate degree or higher, or active employment as a paramedic for two of the past five years, can apply with a current NREMT-P certificate. This Transitional Paramedic license is valid for 24 months, with one opportunity to renew for an additional 24 months. Transitional paramedic licensees must obtain an associate degree or higher within 48 months and be sponsored by a licensed, transporting Oregon Ambulance Service.

To apply for a Transitional Paramedic License, you will need:

High School Diploma or a GED
NREMT certification as a Paramedic
BLS Provider CPR certification (this course must include a practical skills evaluation)
Letter of sponsorship from a licensed ambulance service
Letter of support from the sponsoring service's medical director

To submit a Transitional Paramedic Renewal Application you will need:

NREMT certification as a Paramedic
BLS Provider CPR certification (this course must include a practical skills evaluation)
Completion of Continuing Education requirements at the Paramedic Level per Appendix 1
College transcript indicating progress you have made in obtaining your associate degree in the previous 2 years of licensure

Transitional Paramedic Fees

Initial - $340.00

Reciprocity - $350.00

Renewal - $200.00

Transitional Paramedic FAQ

Questions can be submitted to ems.psu@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

Active-Duty Military Initial License: For active-duty military service members statined in Oregon with an EMS Provider License from another state who would like to be licensed as an EMS Provider in the State of Oregon.

You may apply for a license through eLicense. Be prepared to submit the following information:

Attest to having actively used the license from another state for a similar scope of practice during the two years immediately preceding relocation to Oregon
Copy of orders for military service to a duty location located in Oregon by official active-duty military order
A copy of the license from the state you are currently licensed in
Documentation that you are in good standing and not subject to any disciplinary action in the state in which you are currently licensed

Military Spouse License: The spouse of an active-duty military service member that has been recently relocated to Oregon due to their spouse's military service and is a licensed EMS Provider from another state who would like to be licensed as an EMS Provider in the State of Oregon.

You may apply for a license through eLicense. Be prepared to submit the following:

Attest to having actively used the license from another state for a similar scope of practice during the two years immediately preceding relocation to Oregon
A marriage certificate with your name and your spouse's name
A copy of your spouse's orders for military service to a duty location in Oregon
A copy of the license from the state you are currently licensed in
Documentation that you are in good standing and not subject to any disciplinary action in the state in which you are currently licensed

Continuing Education Extension for Renewal: If an emergency medical service provider has been on active military duty for more than six months of a renewal period which prevented them from accessing continuing education, OHA-EMS may approve an extension of the current license to permit obtaining the required educational hours.

If you need to request a military extension submit your request to:
EMS.PSU@odhsoha.oregon.gov

Any additional question can be submitted to EMS.PSU@odhsoha.oregon.gov

Emergency Medical Service providers who have an expired Oregon license may qualify for reinstatement. For full reinstatement requirements, please refer to the EMS Provider Reinstatement Matrix.

EMR licenses expired less than one year will be required to:

Submit application in eLicense and pay a late fee of $40.00
Complete a continuing education audit according to Appendix 1- EMS Minimum Continuing Education Requirements
Complete a criminal history background check.

EMR licenses expired greater than one year will be required to:

Complete a new state approved Emergency Medical Responder course and reapply for EMR licensure.

EMT, AEMT, EMT-I and Paramedic licenses expired less than three months will be required to:

Submit application in eLicense and pay a late fee of $40.00
Complete a continuing education audit according to Appendix 1- EMS Minimum Continuing Education Requirements
Complete a criminal history background check.

EMT, AEMT, EMT-I and Paramedic licenses expired greater than three months, but less than two years will be required to:

Submit application in eLicense and pay a late fee of $40.00
Submit a current certification from the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) or complete the OHA Reinstatement Program. (See EMS Provider Reinstatement Matrix for complete reinstatement program requirements)
Complete a criminal history background check.

Initial and Reciprocity Applicants

As of January 1, 2018, all initial and reciprocity applicants must submit a FBI fingerprint-based national background check.

Renewal Applicants

All renewal license applications require a criminal history background check.

Oregon residents who have not lived or been outside the state for more than 60 consecutive days in last 5 years, or since last licensed will be run through Oregon's Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS)
Non-Oregon residents or applicants who have been outside the state for more than 60 consecutive days in last 5 years, or since last licensed must submit a FBI fingerprint-based national background check.

Oregon Health Authority, Emergency Medical Service & Trauma Systems Program (OHA-EMS) may grant a license to an emergency medical services provider (EMSP) through reciprocity who is currently licensed in another state and also holds a current National Registry certification. Applicants for reciprocity must also meet the requirements for licensure in Oregon outlined in ORS 682 and OAR 333-265.

Oregon licensure is granted at the level of the applicant's National Registry certification. Individuals who are NOT state licensed, yet are currently certified through National Registry, do not qualify for reciprocity. However, these individuals may apply for initial Oregon licensure. The link to the online application process for reciprocity and initial licensure is located below.

Required Documents

The required documentation for all reciprocity applicants is listed below. The documentation will be uploaded as part of the online application process.

Current state EMS license or certification
Previous state EMS license(s) or certification(s), if applicable
Current certification from National Registry (NREMT)
Current CPR certification at the AHA Healthcare or BLS Provider level (or equivalent); courses must include didactic, skill performance and evaluation
Current government ID (driver's license, military ID or passport)

Paramedics who apply for reciprocity are required to submit proof of an associate degree or higher, or proof of active employment at the National Registry Paramedic level for two of the past five years. Employment must include advanced life support, first response paramedic experience in either another state or the U.S. Military and the NREMT-P level.

Starting December 1, 2023, Paramedics wishing to apply for a license in Oregon who do not meet the minimum requirements of an associate degree or higher, or active employment as a paramedic for two of the past five years, can apply with an NREMT-P certificate for a Transitional Paramedic license.

EMTs, AEMTs, and Transitional Paramedics who apply for reciprocity are required to submit proof of a High School diploma (or equivalency).

Transitional Paramedic FAQ

Reciprocity FAQ

Background Checks: All initial and reciprocity applicants must submit an electronic fingerprint background check. Instructions regarding the fingerprinting process are included in the online application process.

Oregon eLicense Online Application

Use the Oregon eLicense Portal to establish an account and apply for Oregon EMS licensure.

Go to eLicense

Reciprocity Fees

EMR - $50.00

EMT - $140.00

AEMT - $165.00

Paramedic - $300.00

Transitional Paramedic - $350.00

Fingerprinting services are provided by Fieldprint, which will require a separate charge. The instructions and fee information for this service are included in the online application.

The statute governing licensed EMS providers limits "Prehospital Care" to: "care rendered by EMS providers as an incident of the operation of an ambulance and care rendered by EMS providers as incidents of other public or private safety duties, and includes, but is not limited to, emergency care." ORS 682.025(11)

A trained EMS provider can work or volunteer in a hospital or other health care setting (non-prehospital) without an Oregon EMS license. The training they have received may be beneficial or required for the employment position. The job description, expectations and assigned duties are established by the employer. While the EMS scope of practice (OAR Chapter 847, Division 035) is a good example of the education and training of EMS providers, it does not apply in a non-prehospital setting. The employee may NOT represent themselves as an EMS provider while working in a non-prehospital setting, as this license may only be utilized when providing prehospital care.

Traveling EMS providers contracted for deployment in Oregon must hold an Oregon EMS license to work or volunteer in a prehospital capacity. If deployed in a hospital or other health care setting, no Oregon EMS license is required.
Hospitals or other healthcare settings wishing to utilize local EMS providers to augment their workforce may contact local EMS agencies to request those providers directly or may request them as a state resource through County OEM.
Hospitals that have pre-existing contracts with Oregon EMS provider schools as clinical training sites, may directly contact those programs, and request that the trainees be utilized to augment the current workforce.
Hospitals that wish to become training sites for Oregon EMS provider schools should contact their local Oregon EMS provider schools directly to establish contracts.
If required for employment, hospitals or other healthcare settings may confirm here that an EMS provider's Oregon License is current and in good standing. All Oregon licensed EMS providers have criminal background checks performed with initial licensure and every two years thereafter during license renewal. The licensure can be a requirement for employment, but the employee will be exercising their training and a skill set, not the license itself.

Hospitals utilizing EMS providers are expected to provide all equipment for the performance of their duties, to include personal protective equipment. Hospitals should integrate EMS providers into their staffing models.

Anyone wishing to work or volunteer in Oregon as an EMS provider, in a prehospital environment, will need to apply for and be licensed as an Oregon EMS provider.

EMS Provider Licensing