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Emergency Medical Services
PO Box 355
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 834-3500 |
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Licensing FAQ
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Click here for
general questions about Emergency Medical Services
Certification/Licensure
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Where is your
office and what are your office hours?
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Once I have turned in my completed application packet to
OCEMS, how long does it take to get my card?
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What
types of payment do you accept?
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How can I take the EMT certification examination?
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I have a National Registry EMT certificate, is that a
valid certificate in State of California?
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I have an out-of-state EMT-I certificate, but not a
National Registry certificate, what do I need to do to
get certified in California?
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Does the Orange County Emergency Medical Services Agency validate parking?
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Can I certify by mail?
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Is the National Registry card an EMT Certification?
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I have just passed the National Registry, what do I need to do to receive my EMT-1 card?
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Can I transfer my EMT-1 Certification to California, if so, what is required?
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Can I work as an EMT with an expired car?
Live Scan
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How long does it take for EMS to get the results of my
Department of Justice Criminal background report?
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Can I get licensed if I have a criminal conviction?
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What happens if I do not disclose an arrest and
conviction?
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I did a Livescan for the DMV, do I need to do another
Livescan check again and why?
Medical Transportation Provider
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I am planning to work for an ambulance company in Orange
County, what do I need to do?
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What is a medical examiner’s card and where do I get
one?
Recertification
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My EMT certificate is expiring at the end of the month,
do I need to take a test again?
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I have some CEs I received that are approved by the
Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), are they acceptable?
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My EMT certificate expires in less than a month, how can
I obtain continuing education (CEs) units?
Jobs
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What are some of the job opportunities/employers in
Orange County for EMTs?
Training
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Where can I find EMT training programs in Orange County?
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Are there paramedic programs in Orange County?
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Answers
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Where is your office and what are your office hours?
OCEMS is open to the public Monday-through Friday
from 8 am to 4:30 pm. We are located at 405 W. 5th
Street, Suite 301A in downtown Santa Ana. The office
does not close for lunch.
Back
to Top
- Once I have turned in my completed application packet to
OCEMS, how long does it take to get my card?
We now ask that you come to the office to have a
photograph taken with your application and your card
should be issued at that time. The Department of Justice
clearance must be completed.Back
to Top
- What types
of payment do you accept?
We accept MasterCard/Visa, debit cards with MC/Visa
logo, cashier’s check or money orders. We are unable to
accept cash or personal checks. Certification fees
cannot be prorated for less than one year.
Back
to Top
- How can I take the EMT certification examination?
The EMT certification examination is administered
through the Regional Health Occupation Resource Center
at Saddleback College. The website is
http://saddleback.cc.ca.us/rhorc/testing.html. This
location will have the necessary applications, sites and
dates of testing for both Orange and Los Angeles County
and other needed information.Back
to Top
- I have a National Registry EMT certificate, is that a
valid certificate in State of California?
The National Registry certificate will be accepted
without further testing to qualify for a California EMT
certificate. To practice in California you must have a
separate California EMT certificate issued by Orange
County, another county or other certifying authority.
Back
to Top
- I have an out-of-state EMT-I certificate, but not a
National Registry certificate, what do I need to do to
get certified in California?
You should request an application packet from OCEMS at
714-834-3500 or by downloading the application from this
website. You will have to show that you completed an EMT
course that meets the U.S. Department of Transportation
requirements and take the National Registry test for
Orange County.Back
to Top
- Does the Orange County Emergency Medical Services Agency validate parking?
No, unfortunately we do not. The cost for visitors is 50 cents for every 20 minutes.
Back
to Top
- Can I certify by mail?
No, we no longer accept paperwork through the mail; you will need to come in for a photo and an electronic signature.Back
to Top
- Is the National Registry card an EMT Certification?
No, the National Registry card is NOT an EMT Certification. In California we do NOT recognize National Registry as EMT certification.Back
to Top
- I have just passed the National Registry, what do I need to do to receive my EMT-1 card?
In California, the National Registry card represents successful completion for passing the state certifying EMT exam. After you have received the National Registry card, you are eligible to apply for your EMT certification without further testing. Next step is to contact the local EMS office in order to obtain EMT certification.Back
to Top
- Can I transfer my EMT-1 Certification to California, if so, what is required?
Out-of-State EMT-1 Certification with National Registry Certification will receive reciprocity upon completion of the application process with County of Orange. The County of Orange EMT-1 Certification expiration date will be the same as the National Registry Certification.
Out-of State EMT-1 Certification without National Registry Certification will need to successfully complete the National Registry EMT exam and apply for certification at the EMS agency. The expiration date on your County of Orange EMT-1 will be the same date as listed on your out of state certification.Back
to Top
- Can I work as an EMT with an expired car?
No, you may not work as an EMT or represent yourself as an EMT if your card has expired. There are no “extensions” or “grace” periods after your expiration date.Back
to Top
- How long does it take for EMS to get the results of my
Department of Justice Criminal background report?
It takes about 3-5 working days, if no criminal record
exists. If there is a criminal history then it can take
up to 30 working days or longer, depending on the
circumstances.Back
to Top
- Can I get licensed if I have a criminal conviction?
Single DUIs and most minor misdemeanor
convictions will not affect your ability to get an EMT
certificate. Theft convictions and felonies will receive
a close review and you may or may not be certified
depending on the circumstances of the case, the length
of time of since the conviction, and actions you have
taken for rehabilitation. If you are currently on
probation, especially for a theft, you may have to wait
until the probation is completed.
Back
to Top
- What happens if I do not disclose an arrest and
conviction?
If you do not disclose an arrest and conviction, it is
likely that your EMT license will be refused or it may
be issued subject to a period of probation. There will
be a delay.Back
to Top
- I did a Livescan for the DMV, do I need to do another
Livescan check again and why?
Yes, California law does not allow agencies to
share the information they obtain on the Department of
Justice (DOJ) report.Back
to Top
- I am planning to work for an ambulance company in Orange
County, what do I need to do?
In addition to an EMT certificate, you must have
an Orange County Medical Transportation Provider license
to work on an ambulance in Orange County.
Click here for the application and requirements. Generally,
the requirements are the same as EMT, but you must have
the DOJ Livescan on file if your EMT certificate is from
another jurisdiction and you must have the DMV medical
examiner’s certificate.
The requirements are: A current California EMT-I
certificate, photo identification, a current medical
examiner’s card, a Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal
background history report on file with OCEMS and the $40
license fee ($80 for two years). If you already have an EMT certificate, the expiration date of your provider
license will be the same as the EMT certificate.Back
to Top
- What is a medical examiner’s card and where do I get
one?
It is a medical examination required by the
Department of Transportation (DOT) for all drivers
operating an emergency vehicle. It attests that an
operator is physically fit to operate the ambulance. To
obtain the medical examination form you must go to DMV
and ask for the form (the green medical examination card
will be attached) then take it to your personal
physician or another medical provider to be completed.Back to Top
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My EMT certificate is expiring at the end of the month,
do I need to take a test again?
As of October 2004, you no longer have to take a
written test to re-certify as an EMT in California.
You must, however, submit a skills competency
verification form as well as either continuing education
or a refresher class.
Back to Top
- I have some CEs I received that are approved by the
Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), are they acceptable?
No, the BRN cannot approve continuing education
for prehospital care.
Back
to Top
- My EMT certificate expires in less than a month, how can
I obtain continuing education (CEs) units?
You have several options. If your employer is an
approved CE provider, you can obtain CEs there. The
California EMS Authority has approved the following
on-line CE providers: ems-ce.com, eminet.com,
emcert.com, ce3000.com, and mywebce.com. Go to their
websites and follow the directions for obtaining
24-hours of continuing education units. We do not
endorse or approve these websites.Back
to Top
- What are some of the job opportunities/employers in
Orange County for EMTs?
Private ambulance companies, medical transportation companies and event
medical companies are typical employers of EMTs in
Orange County. In addition, fire departments and
lifeguard agencies frequently require an EMT
certificate. Hospital emergency rooms employ EMTs in
various capacities. Some private business will hire EMTs
for safety reasons.
Back
to Top
- Where can I find EMT training programs in Orange County?
There are a number of
EMT training programs that
can be reviewed here.Back
to Top
- Are there paramedic programs in Orange County?
Yes, there are two approved programs in Orange
County: Saddleback College in Mission Viejo,
949-582-4581, and California Paramedic Institute in Lake
Forest, 866-274-6334.
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