EMS Provider Courses in Oregon
Initial EMS provider courses conducted in Oregon must be approved by OHA-EMS and meet the requirements listed in
Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 333-264. A course application must be submitted to OHA-EMS 30 days before the start of a course. EMT, AEMT, and EMT-Intermediate courses must incorporate the OHA-EMS competency-based assessment (CBA) program in course design and delivery. Further information and requirements for each course level are listed in the drop-down menus below.
EMR course and instructor requirements changed when
Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 333-264 was adopted on November 1, 2024. The Notification of EMR Course Changes document provides a brief overview of these changes. The current rules regarding EMR course administration and delivery are listed below.
Competency Verification Process for Initial EMR Courses
The OHA-EMS competency verification process is now required in EMR courses. It is embedded in course delivery and replaces formal psychomotor testing for licensing. Students must successfully complete all components of the verification process to be eligible for state licensing. The competency verification process and forms are listed below:
The written exam and other materials for course administration are provided to the course director upon OHA-EMS approval of an EMR course.
EMR Course Application Provess and Approval
- The course director or sponsoring agency submits an
EMR course application online. Incomplete applications may delay the start of an EMR course. The application must be submitted a minimum of 30 days before the scheduled start date of the course. The course cannot begin until it is approved by OHA-EMS.
- The applicant uploads the course schedule, documentation of the course director’s qualifications, and a copy of the course director’s current BLS Provider CPR certification from American Heart Association (or equivalent). The applicant lists the additional instructors and the EMS medical director providing oversight of the EMR course. To minimize processing delays, agencies are encouraged to check their personnel roster in
eLicense to confirm the correct EMS medical director is on file with OHA-EMS.
- OHA-EMS education staff review the application and email the course director with the status of the course. The course approval email will include instructions and resources for course administration.
EMT course and instructor requirements changed when
Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 333-264 was adopted on November 1, 2024. A
fact sheet provides a brief overview of these changes. The current requirements for EMT course administration and delivery are listed below:
EMS Course Application Process and Approval for Educational Institutions
- The CBA Program Application must be approved by the OHA-EMS Program and a current CBA course blueprint on file for each EMS provider level conducted by the education department (exception: EMR and paramedic). The application must be approved before the individual courses are conducted. The CBA application process is described in more detail in the Competency-Based Assessment for Certification and Licensing section on this page.
- The EMS department coordinator or director completes the
online application for each initial EMS provider course. The application is due 30 days before the start of each course. The department may submit multiple course requests at once.
- OHA-EMS education staff will review the application and email the education department coordinator or director with the status of each course.
- An automated email will be sent quarterly to the department coordinator or director to revise or add course offerings during the academic year.
AEMT course and instructor requirements changed when
Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 333-264 was adopted on November 1, 2024. A
factsheet provides a brief overview of these changes. The current requirements for AEMT course administration and delivery are listed below:
EMS education departments have the option to conduct a combined AEMT and EMT-I course. All requirements for each course level must be met, including student achievement of the OHA-EMS AEMT and EMT-I student competencies and performance outcomes. Contact the OHA-EMS Education program staff for more information or assistance in developing the combined course.
EMS Course Application Process and Approval for Educational Institutions
- The CBA Program Application must be approved by the OHA-EMS Program and a current CBA course blueprint on file for each EMS provider level conducted by the education department (exception: EMR and Paramedic). The application must be approved before the individual courses are conducted. The CBA application process is described in more detail in the Competency-Based Assessment for Certification and Licensing section on this page.
- The EMS department coordinator or director completes the
online application for each initial EMS provider course. The application is due 30 days before the start of each course. The department may submit multiple course requests at once.
- OHA-EMS education staff will review the application and email the education department coordinator or director with the status of each course.
- An automated email will be sent quarterly to the department coordinator or director to revise or add course offerings during the academic year.
EMT-I course and instructor requirements changed when
Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 333-264 was adopted on November 1, 2024. A
factsheet provides a brief overview of these changes. The current requirements for EMT-I course administration and delivery are listed below:
EMS education departments have the option to conduct a combined AEMT and EMT-I course. All requirements for each course level must be met, including student achievement of the OHA-EMS AEMT and EMT-I student competencies and performance outcomes. Contact the OHA-EMS Education program staff for more information or assistance in developing the combined course.
EMS Course Application Process and Approval for Educational Institutions
- The CBA Program Application must be approved by the OHA-EMS Program and a current CBA course blueprint on file for each EMS provider level conducted by the education department (exception: EMR and Paramedic). The application must be approved before the individual courses are conducted. The CBA application process is described in more detail in the Competency-Based Assessment for Certification and Licensing section on this page.
- The EMS department coordinator or director completes the
online application for each initial EMS provider course. The application is due 30 days before the start of each course. The department may submit multiple course requests at once.
- OHA-EMS education staff will review the application materials and email the education department coordinator or director with the status of each course.
- An automated email will be sent quarterly to the department coordinator or director to revise or add course offerings during the academic year.
Paramedic course and instructor requirements changed when
Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 333-264 was adopted on November 1, 2024. A
factsheet provides a brief overview of these changes.
Paramedic programs must also be accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation of EMS Programs (CoAEMSP) for students to be eligible for certification from the
National Registry of EMTs (NREMT).
The current requirements for paramedic course administration and delivery are listed below:
Paramedic licensing in Oregon includes the requirement of an associate degree or higher. The OHA-EMS Provider Licensure webpage contains detailed information on this requirement.
EMS Course Application Process and Approval for Educational Institutions
- The EMS department coordinator or director completes the online application for each paramedic course. The application is due 30 days before the start of each course. The department may submit multiple course requests at once.
- OHA-EMS education staff will review the application and email the education department coordinator or director with the status of each course.
- An automated email will be sent quarterly to the department coordinator or director to revise or add course offerings during the academic year.
- An automated email will be sent quarterly to the department coordinator or director to revise or add course offerings.
Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) for Certification and Licensing
Initial EMS provider courses in Oregon have transitioned from formal psychomotor skills testing for certification and licensing to competency assessment. Paramedic courses incorporate the student minimum competencies required by the
Commission on Accreditation for EMS Programs (CoAEMSP). EMT, AEMT, and EMT-Intermediate courses implement the OHA-EMS CBA program in course design and delivery. EMR courses use a competency verification process prescribed by OHA-EMS for state licensing.
OAR 333-264-0070 requires the incorporation of the OHA-EMS CBA program into the design and delivery of EMT, AEMT, and EMT-I courses.
The
OHA-EMS CBA Course Setup Guide outlines the major components of a CBA course infrastructure and the steps in developing a CBA course.
State-required student competencies and performance outcomes for each EMS provider level are embedded in the CBA course and listed below:
The CBA Program must be approved by the OHA-EMS and a current CBA course blueprint on file for each EMS provider level conducted by the education department (exception: EMR and paramedic). The CBA application must be approved before individual courses for the EMS provider level are conducted.
The CBA Program Application includes the submission of the course blueprint, a copy of course CBA policies, and plans for orienting instructors and students to the OHA-EMS CBA program. OHA-EMS Education Program staff are available for technical assistance.
The education department must submit the application for initial CBA implementation of CBA 60 days before courses begin. The application and supporting materials are emailed to the OHA-EMS Education program.
Significant changes to the administration or delivery of a previously approved CBA course requires must be approved by OHA-EMS. The EMS education coordinator or director submits the CBA Program Application with documentation to the OHA-EMS Education program a minimum of 30 days before the start of the course.
Additional CBA program resources are available to assist with course design and delivery. Contact the OHA-EMS Education Program for more information or to request these materials.
The OHA-EMS EMR competency verification process replaces formal psychomotor testing as a requirement for EMR licensing. Students must successfully complete all components of the EMR competency verification process to be eligible for state licensing, including proficiency with isolated skills, integration of EMR skills in patient situations, assessment and management of medical and trauma patients, and a final written exam. More information and resources regarding the verification process are available in the EMR course tab on this page.
Key Resources
Key Resources for EMR Course Administration
Key Resources for College and University EMS Education Departments
Contact Us
EMS.Education@odhsoha.oregon.gov