EMT Renewal, Reinstatement & Certifying Entity Changes

Prepare to apply

• Review EMS Policy 301 – EMT Certification for the continuing-education, documentation and application requirements for renewal, reinstatement and changing your certifying entity.
• Next, sign in to the Online Certification and Accreditation System and verify your existing account and profile. Use the account-recovery option if needed—do not create a duplicate account.
• The same account is used to submit applications, upload documents, pay fees, track application status and maintain required credentials throughout the certification or accreditation period.

Important: An expired certificate does not authorize you to work or represent yourself as an EMT.

Requirements by Certificate Status

Use your current certificate status to identify the continuing-education hours and any additional reinstatement requirements that apply.

Continuing education must be completed through an approved EMS continuing-education provider within the two years preceding the application.

If you are changing your certifying entity from another California county or LEMSA, meet the renewal or reinstatement requirements that correspond to your certificate status and complete a new Live Scan.

Required Documents

Every renewal and reinstatement applicant must submit:

• Current government-issued photo identification
• Certificates documenting the required continuing education
• Current California EMT Skills Competency Verification Form
• Current American Heart Association or American Red Cross BLS Provider card
• A completed training certificate or continuing-education certificate for BLS Optional Scope/Enhanced Skills training in the administration of naloxone and epinephrine and the use of a glucometer
• Criminal or disciplinary disclosure documents, if applicable

Skills form and optional-scope training certificate

The Skills Competency Verification Form must be completed through an approved EMS continuing-education provider, signed by an authorized skills verifier and dated within the two years preceding the application. It does not satisfy the optional-scope training requirement.

The optional-scope training certificate may be from a previous certification cycle, be more than two years old or have been submitted to the EMS Agency previously.

Take the Free Online BLS Optional Scope Course

If your certificate has been expired for 12 months or more, also submit:

• Current, active NREMT certification
• A new San Mateo County EMS Live Scan form showing the ATI number

Certification Fees

The fee depends on the application type and whether a new Live Scan background check is required.

When to Apply

You may apply for renewal up to six months before your current certificate expires without shortening the certification period. Your renewed certificate will take effect the day after your current certificate expires.

Apply at least 30 days before expiration to allow sufficient time for review.

Application Process

Maintain your supporting documents. Keep your government-issued identification, BLS Provider card and other required certification documents current throughout the certification period. Use the same Online Certification and Accreditation System used for your application whenever a document needs to be updated or replaced.

Forms and Resources

Use these resources to prepare a renewal, reinstatement or change-of-certifying-entity application.

Questions or Application Assitance

Email EMScertifications@smcgov.org or call 650-573-2564.