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EMS Provider Licensure

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Oregon Health Authority's Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems 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

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 on the OHA-EMS Reciprocity webpage​.

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 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 an initial license are required to submit proof of an associate's 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.

Transitional Paramedic

Starting December 1, 2023, 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.

Transitional Paramedic FAQ​

Initial Licensure Fees​

EMR - $45.00

EMT - $110.00

AEMT - $125.00

Oregon EMT-Intermediate - $125.00

Paramedic - $290.00

Transitional Paramedic - $350.00

Oregon eLicense Online Application

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

Go to eLicense

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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.

Resources

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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@dhsoha.state.or.us

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.pdf.

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

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:

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

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​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.
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​Visit the Oregon Reciprocity page for reciprocity application requirements.

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. Please see the OHA EMS/TS initial licensure webpage​.

Resources

Mailing Address

EMS & Trauma Systems Program
800 NE Oregon Street
Suite 465
Portland, OR 97232