How to Become a Paramedic in Texas

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The governing body that handles licensure and giving credentials to paramedics is the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Department awards paramedics with two types of endorsements: Licensed Paramedic (LP) and Emergency Medical Tech-Paramedic (EMT-P). To receive both endorsements, you have to go take the same tests and meet other requirements. The biggest difference between the two is that licensed paramedics are academics.

Getting paramedic license in Texas.

To describe the endorsements for Paramedic personnel, the state uses the word “certification”. In the case of Licensed Paramedics, they use the term “licensure”. Technically, both endorsements are licenses. An applicant in Texas can reach eligibility for national certification while getting a state license.

Requirements

  • You must have reached the legal age.
  • You must have graduated high school or received GED.
  • Go through an EMS instructional program approved by DSHS.
  • Supply the officials with the EMS Personnel Certification file and cover the application cost.
  • Get a passing grade on the NR exam.
  • Provide your fingerprints so that the state or FBI can check your criminal records.
  • The candidates for obtaining a paramedic’s license must go through these steps and provide a document proving the completion of a two-year EMS program or four-year training program in any field. Check equivalency.

Equivalency for International Candidates and Those from other Disciplines

Paramedics who have foreign education or licensure can use equivalency to practice their craft in Texas. See more on http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/emstraumasystems/EMS/sequiv.shtm page. In addition, people whose certificates are inactive due to expiration can use equivalency to renew their certificates.

Education Requirements for EMT-P and Licensed Paramedic

Texas paramedic badge.It’s obligatory to have educated from a high school to become an EMT Paramedic. If an applicant participates in a regionally accredited school, then a home school diploma will also suffice. Individuals with foreign degrees must have the equivalency of their education checked by an education evaluation service.

It is the responsibility of an LP to submit proof of his/her college education. If an applicant got his/her degree at the associate level, the profession must be Emergency Medical Services. If it’s a higher degree, any specialization is accepted. The educational institute, which awarded the degree, must have the approval of a credible organization.

Most of the time, EMT-P s and LPs start their careers studying as EMTs and go up the ranks. Individuals whose qualifications are certified in other medical professions may be granted an exception. They must go through EMS educational program to translate their educational credentials into this line of work.

The organization called Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs must approve each training program in Texas; Thanks to this system, people who completed educational programs are eligible to participate in National Registry tests. You can also become eligible for a certificate by participating in one of the Programs that contain Letters of Review. You can look through the programs on the website of the CAAHEP organization. Currently, 45 educational courses in Texas are accredited and 15 programs can issue the Letters of Review. Participants can receive a certificate or associate’s degree.

Examination Requirements

To test each candidate’s capabilities, every candidate in Texas must go through exams devised by NREMT.

The exam comprises two parts: a psychomotor test, which tests your practical abilities, and a cognitive test, which evaluates your theoretical knowledge.

The latter type of test can be taken at Pearson assessment centers. Applicants must sign up on NREMT and check their qualifications first. Before they can receive an ATT, candidates must also cover the associated test fees.

The current cost for taking a test is $110.

Someone who starts off as a Texas applicant but doesn’t succeed can not receive his/her certificate through another means. However, they can take the test again.

The psychomotor examination tests your ability in medical situations, for instance, dynamic and static cardiology. The NR has provided detailed guidelines for demonstrating skills while taking an exam. Practical exams are about to be released and public on this page.

Candidates who enrolled in paramedic education programs before 2013 may still receive a certificate even if their course wasn’t approved by the governing body.

Background Check Requirements

Each candidate must provide a fingerprint to facilitate the checking of criminal records. L-1 Identity Solutions is the recommended provider of fingerprint checks.

Candidates must visit specified locations and submit their fingerprints electronically. A candidate can reach out over the phone on the number 888-467-2080 or check out the L-1 website. An applicant must have a FAST pass included in the application packet.

If you can’t access the L-1 location in person, you can ask for a fingerprint card from EMS Compliance and Quality Assurance. However, using this method might delay your certification.

While filling out the application, you might have to answer questions about your criminal past. If you select ‘yes’ as the answer, you’ll be prompted to provide some additional files.

Paramedic Reciprocity

Someone who’s not licensed in Texas and isn’t registered with National Registry must take an assessment test.

A candidate is obligated to provide out-of-state verification files.

Application Process

A candidate must meet all the prerequisites for base paramedic certification or a license no later than two years after they’ve graduated from a course. Certified EMT-Paramedics who grow to meet the prerequisites of better qualification can reach higher status later on.

The basic application must be supplied through the website or downloadable application, that must be printed and sent to Department of State Health Services in Austin. If an applicant has graduated from an accredited educational course, they must apply before participating in an exam. However, you can delay it until you pass the necessary tests.

A candidate who qualifies to be a Licensed Paramedic must prove their education credentials by providing a grade transcript. The costs associated with the application are $126 for LPs, $96 for EMT-Ps.

Candidates must pay the reciprocity fee of $126, regardless of endorsement type.

Licenses must be renewed once every four years.

State Certification Status

Once you’ve taken the test, you can check the certification search website to find out the current state of your certificate.

You won’t be able to find your exact score on this website. Instead, you’ll see the status of your certificate. If it says ‘certified’, then you got the passing grade and met all the prerequisites. If it says ‘Pending deficiencies’, your application is lacking in one way or another. Officials will not be notified about your NR deficiencies. NR tends to reach out to candidates individually. If you’re unsure about the flaws in your application, reach out at 512-834-6734.

If you’re curious about the examination process or how to handle the associated files, get in touch with National Registry.

Certificate

After you’ve supplied a filled-out form and met all the prerequisites, It can take about a month to obtain your certificate/license and identification card. If your application is lacking in some way, you will be warned about it and you might receive your papers later.

Texas Paramedic Programs

Type Program Address City Phone # Website
EMT, Paramedic Alvin Community College 3110 Mustang Rd Alvin 281-756-5640 website
EMT, Paramedic Amarillo College 2201 S Washington Ave Amarillo 806-354-6077 website
Paramedic Angelina College 3500 South First Street Lufkin 936-633-5420 website
EMT, AEMT, Paramedic Austin Community College 3401 Webberville Rd Austin 512-223-5924 website
EMT, Paramedic Blinn College 8441 State Hwy 47 Bryan 979-691-2129 website
EMT, Paramedic Brookhaven College 3939 Valley View Lane Farmers Branch 972-860-7860 website
EMT, AEMT, Paramedic College of the Mainland 1200 Amburn Rd Texas City 409-933-8198 website
EMT, Paramedic Collin County Community College District 2200 West University Dr McKinney 972-548-6848 website
ECA, EMT, AEMT, Paramedic Del Mar College 101 Baldwin Blvd Corpus Christi 361-698-1724 website
Paramedic El Centro College 801 Main Street Dallas 214-860-2414 website
EMT, AEMT, Paramedic El Paso Community College 10700 Gateway East El Paso 915-831-7070 website
AEMT, Paramedic Galveston College 4015 Avenue Q Galveston 409-944-1481 website
EMT, Paramedic Grayson College 6101 Grayson Dr Denison 903-463-8677 website
EMT, Paramedic Hill College 2112 Mayfield Pkwy Cleburne 817-760-5929 website
EMT, AEMT, Paramedic Houston Community College System 555 Community College Dr  Houston 713-718-7694 website
EMT, AEMT, Paramedic Howard College- San Angelo 3501 North US Hwy 67 San Angelo 325-481-8300 website
EMT, Paramedic Kilgore College 300 South High St Longview 903-753-2642 website
EMT, Paramedic Lamar Institute of Technology 802 E Lavaca Beaumont 409-839-2087 website
EMT, AEMT, Paramedic Laredo College One West End Washington Street Laredo 956-721-5397 website
EMT, Paramedic Lone Star College-Cy Fair 9191 Barker Cypress Road Cypress 281-290-5906 website
EMT, Paramedic Lone Star College-Montgomery 3200 College Park Dr Conroe 936-271-6327 website
EMT, Paramedic Lone Star College-North Harris 2700W Thorne Dr Houston 281-618-5753 website
EMT, Paramedic McLennan Community College 1400 College Dr Waco 254-299-6504 website
EMT, Paramedic Midland College 3600 N Garfield Mildland 432-685-4705 website
EMT, Paramedic Navarro College 1900 John Arden Dr Waxahachie 972-923-6447 website
EMT, Paramedic North Central Texas College 1500 North Corinth Street Corinth 940-498-6254 website
EMT, Paramedic Odessa College 201 W University Blvd Odessa 432-335-6840 website
EMT, Paramedic Paris Junior College 2400 Clarksville St Paris 903-782-0750 website
EMT, Paramedic San Antonio College 1300 San Pedro Ave San Antonio 210-486-1502 website
EMT, AEMT, Paramedic South Plains College 819 Gilbert Dr Lubbock 806-716-4635 website
EMT, AEMT, Paramedic South Texas College 1101 E Vermont McAllen 956-872-3048 website
EMT, Paramedic Tarrant County College – Northeast Campus 828 West Harwood Road Hurst 817-515-6448 website
EMT, AEMT, Paramedic Temple College 2600 South First Street Temple 254-298-8563 website
EMR, EMT, Paramedic Texarkana College 2500 North Robinson Rd Texarkana 903-823-3411 website
EMT, Paramedic Texas Southmost College 80 Fort Brown Brownsville 956-295-3511 website
EMR, EMT, AEMT, Paramedic Texas State Technical College-Abilene 650 E Hwy 80 Abilene 325-201-2605 website
EMR, EMT, AEMT, Paramedic Texas State Technical College-Harlingen 1902 North Loop 499 Harlingen 956-364-4739 website
EMT, Paramedic Trinity Valley Community College 2970 North State Hwy 19 Palestine 903-723-7052 website
EMT, Paramedic Tyler Junior College 1400 Fifth Street Hwy 64 East Tyler 903-510-2695 website
Paramedic University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive San Antonio 210-567-7839 website
EMT, AEMT, Paramedic Victoria College 2200 E Red River Victoria 361-572-6447 website
EMT, Paramedic Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford 817-598-6234 website
EMT, Paramedic Wharton County Junior College 911 East Boling Hwy Wharton 979-532-6540 website

How to Transfer Paramedic License to Texas?

If you obtained your EMS license from another state, you can use the principle of reciprocity to get certified in Texas. Remember that some professions like ECA, FR, EMR are not qualified. EMS is the only profession that can be certified using this process.

Every applicant must satisfy these prerequisites:

  • Have reached the legal age.
  • Supply the officials with specific forms that describe your certification status in every state where applicable.
  • To be applicable for certificate reciprocity at the high endorsement level, you must have education regarding airway intubation devices, IV initiation, and other subjects taught to Advanced EMT students in Texas educational system.
  • Fill out the application online.
  • Go through the background check. Here are the steps involved:
    • Each candidate must have his/her criminal records checked using his/her fingerprint scan.
    • Use the Texas Fingerprint Service Code Form to provide the necessary files.
    • Provide fingerprints using IdentoGo.

The Texas Fingerprint Service Code Form contains guidelines for arranging a meeting with IdentoGo. You will have to cover any associated costs.

Verify Paramedic License in Texas

You can see the present condition of your license on this page: Verify Your EMT License Status.

Additional Information

State provides guidelines about acquiring a license or a certificate in Texas. You can contact – EMS Certification and Licensing Group over the phone at (512) 834-6700 or write them an email at EMSCert@dshs.texas.gov.

You can find professional advice at The Texas Emergency Medical Services Board website. This is not a standalone agency; instead, it operates under the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshal’s Association of Texas. This organization arranges various meetings, conferences and protects EMS professionals.