How to Become an EMT in Colorado

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 years old when you apply.
• You must hold current NREMT certification at the EMT level or higher.
• You must hold a current professional-level CPR (Basic Cardiac Life Support) card from a Department-approved organization.
• You must complete an FBI fingerprint-based national criminal history check through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Step by step

1. Complete an EMT course at a CDPHE-recognized EMS education program.
2. Pass the National Registry (NREMT) EMT exams and get NREMT certification.
3. Get a current professional-level CPR card.
4. Apply for EMT certification on CDPHE's Online Application Tracking Hub (OATH), uploading your CPR card.
5. Get fingerprinted for the CBI/FBI background check within 60 days before or after you submit your OATH application.
6. CDPHE issues a 3-year certificate once your application meets all requirements.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Colorado does not license you on training alone: you must hold current NREMT EMT certification, which requires an EMT course. CDPHE recognizes EMS education programs under 6 CCR 1015-3, Chapter One.

Exam: Colorado has no separate state EMT exam. You must pass the NREMT EMT exams and hold current NREMT certification when you apply. NREMT charges $104 per cognitive exam attempt.

What it costs in Colorado

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: Certificates last three years from the date CDPHE approves your application; if you complete renewal in the last six months before expiration, the new certificate runs from your current expiration date. To renew, submit the application, a current CPR card, and the background check if needed, plus ONE of: current NREMT EMT certification; an EMT refresher course plus enough added continuing education to total at least 36 hours, with a skills competency sign-off; or at least 36 hours of education approved by a CDPHE-recognized program, with required minimums (1 hr preparatory, 2 obstetrics, 2 pediatrics, 6 trauma, 5 patient assessment, 3 airway, 6 medical/behavioral, 11 elective) and a skills sign-off. You do not have to keep NREMT to renew. If you have lived in Colorado three years or less at renewal, you must be fingerprinted again. You can renew up to six months after expiration; after that you must meet initial certification rules again.

Good to know in Colorado

No reciprocity: CDPHE says Colorado has no reciprocity process for EMS providers. Out-of-state EMTs apply for initial certification and need current NREMT certification.

Military members and spouses: Veterans, service members separating from active duty, and their spouses stationed or living in Colorado may apply and are exempt from the CPR card requirement for initial certification.

Certification vs. license: Colorado also offers an EMS provider license (instead of certification) for applicants with a four-year bachelor's degree in health sciences or an equivalent field. You may hold either a certificate or a license, not both.

Active duty: If your certificate expires while you are on federally funded active duty of more than 120 days, or within six months after, you are exempt from some renewal requirements.

EMS Compact: Colorado participates in the EMS Compact. If you hold a current, unrestricted EMT license from another participating Compact state, you can work in Colorado under a Privilege to Practice with no separate application or fee, as long as you work for an authorized EMS agency under a medical director and follow Colorado's scope of practice and protocols.

Provisional certification: If your fingerprint results have not reached CDPHE but you meet every other requirement, you can apply for a provisional certification valid for up to 90 days. It costs $23 and needs a name-based criminal history check, and you must already have started the CBI fingerprint check (6 CCR 1015-3, section 5.5).

Sources

• CDPHE - EMS provider certification
• CDPHE - Instructions for obtaining your fingerprint-based background check
• CDPHE - EMS Provider reciprocity in Colorado
• 6 CCR 1015-3, Chapter One (effective June 14, 2024) - Colorado Secretary of State
• NREMT EMT Candidate Handbook - Certification Process
• 6 CCR 1015-3 (Colorado EMS rules)
• EMS Compact - Participating States