How to Become an EMT in Idaho

Who can apply

• You must be at least 16 years old to apply for an EMT license.
• You must pass a fingerprint-based background check with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Background Check Unit (disqualifying crimes are listed in IDAPA 16.05.06.210).
• You must have one of these: an initial Idaho EMS course passed within the last 24 months, an active out-of-state EMS license, or NREMT certification.
• You must be affiliated with a licensed Idaho EMS agency, or apply for a Certificate of Eligibility if you cannot find one yet.

Step by step

1. Complete an initial EMT course from an Idaho-approved EMS education program.
2. Apply for the background check with the Health and Welfare Background Check Unit (pay code JFPUZW) and get fingerprinted. It can take up to eight weeks.
3. Create an account in IGEMS, the state's EMS licensing system, and submit the "Provider BLS License - Initial" application with a photo ID.
4. If you were licensed in another state, send the License Verification Request Form to each of those states.
5. Pass the NREMT computer-based EMT exam (it must be within the last 36 months), unless you already hold active NREMT EMT certification.
6. Get affiliated with a licensed Idaho EMS agency, or apply for a Certificate of Eligibility.
7. Watch your email for confirmation and any requests from the Bureau.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: You must pass an initial EMT course from an Idaho-approved EMS education program within the last 24 months before applying, unless you qualify through an active out-of-state license or NREMT certification.

Exam: Idaho uses the National Registry (NREMT) computer-based EMT exam; you sign up at nremt.org after IGEMS emails instructions. For EMT the exam must have been passed within 36 months of applying, or you must retake it. An active NREMT EMT certification meets this requirement.

What it costs in Idaho

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

How long it takes

The background check can take up to eight weeks. Course completion must be within 24 months, and the NREMT EMT exam within 36 months, of applying.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: EMT licenses last three years. The renewal application opens in IGEMS six months before expiration. You must be affiliated with a licensed EMS agency at or above the EMT level, be credentialed by the agency's medical director, and report 36 CE hours (at least 1 hour in each category, no more than 12 hours counted from any single category, and 4 hours of pediatrics), or show an NREMT registration renewed within the last two years. There is no renewal fee for EMT.

Good to know in Idaho

EMS Compact (REPLICA): Idaho recognizes an unrestricted EMS license from an EMS Compact member state, so compact-state EMTs can practice with proper local affiliation without a separate Idaho license. EMTs from other states apply through the same initial/reciprocity checklist.

Expired license: It is against the law to give patient care with an expired license. You can reinstate within 24 months of expiration if you are affiliated with an Idaho EMS agency; after 24 months you must retake an initial course and/or meet all initial requirements.

Agency moved: The Bureau of EMS is now part of the Idaho Military Division. Its pages moved from the Health and Welfare website to ems.idaho.gov, but background checks still go through Health and Welfare.

Sources

• Idaho Bureau of EMS - EMS Personnel
• Idaho Bureau of EMS - Initial License or Reciprocity Checklist
• Idaho Bureau of EMS - License Renewal Checklist
• Idaho Bureau of EMS - License renewal CE requirements table
• Idaho Department of Health and Welfare - Background Check Unit