Initial Certification & Licensure Requirements

Initial certification/licensure is the process involved in obtaining a Maryland Pre-hospital Clinician certification or license for the first time, excluding reciprocity. As this process varies for each level of Maryland certification/licensure, please select an EMS clinician level from the list below for specific information:

Requirements for Initial Certification (Emergency Medical Responder, EMT) or Licensure (Cardiac Rescue Technician, Paramedic, Emergency Medical Dispatcher)

  • Emergency Medical Responder and EMT applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
  • Applicants must be 16 years of age to participate in any EMS BLS clinical training or internship.
  • Applicants for ALS licensure must be at least 18 years of age before participating in any ALS clinical training or internship.

ALL Applicants must:

Descriptions of each EMS clinician level.

License Transparency / Timeline Information

  • Submit the application for Initial EMR Licensure through the MIEMSS eLicensure Portal
  • Estimated Time to Submit Application: 3 minutes
  • Time to Determine if Application is Complete: 3 – 5 business days
  • Time to Determine if Application is Approved: 3 – 5 business days
  • Additional steps in the application process
    • Have the applying service affiliation approve the applicant's affiliation, if applicable
    • Receive electronic verification of completion of the initial EMR course
    • Submit the internship through the MIEMSS eLicensure Portal and receive approval from the Office of Clinician Services
    • Successfully complete the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician's cognitive exam
    • Successfully complete the psychomotor exam administered by the education program
    • Receive approval from the Office of Integrity, if applicable
  • Submit the application for Initial EMT Certification through the MIEMSS eLicensure Portal
  • Estimated Time to Submit Application: 3 minutes
  • Time to Determine if Application is Complete: 3 – 5 business days
  • Time to Determine if Application is Approved: 3 – 5 business days
  • Additional steps in the application process
    • Have the applying service affiliation approve the applicant's affiliation
    • Receive approval from the Office of Integrity, if applicable
    • Receive electronic verification of completion of the initial EMT course
    • Submit the internship through the MIEMSS eLicensure Portal and receive approval from the Office of Clinician Services
    • Successfully complete the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician's cognitive exam
    • Successfully complete the psychomotor exam administered by the Office of Clinician Services
  • Application Process Changes as of July 2024
    • The Internship Packet must be submitted and approved prior to testing the psychomotor examination
  • Submit the application for Initial Paramedic Licensure through the MIEMSS eLicensure Portal for verification of active status with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
  • Estimated Time to Submit Application: 3 minutes
  • Time to Determine if Application is Complete: 3 – 5 business days
  • Time to Determine if Application is Approved: 3 – 5 business days
  • Additional steps in the application process
    • Complete the Maryland Medical Protocol Orientation for ALS Clinicians
    • Have the applying service affiliation approve the application for initial licensure
    • Receive approval from the Office of Integrity, if applicable
  • Submit the application for Initial Emergency Medical Dispatcher through the MIEMSS eLicensure Portal
  • Estimated Time to Submit Application: 3 minutes
  • Time to Determine if Application is Complete: 3 – 5 business days
  • Time to Determine if Application is Approved: 3 – 5 business days
  • Additional steps in the application process
    • Have the applying service affiliation approve the applicant's affiliation
    • Receive verification of active status with IAED
    • Receive approval from the Office of Integrity, if applicable

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