EMS Course Content

EMT–Basic like Basic Fire Suppression is the building block of Emergency Medicine

• Curriculum developed and approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services
• National Registry Testing.

EMT-Basic.
Skills include: CPR, bandaging and splinting, traction splints, mechanical aids to breathing (oxygen, bag-mask, suctioning, oral and nasal airways, pocket masks), patient assessment, vital signs, spinal immobilization, automated external defibrillation, pneumatic anti-shock garment, epinephrine auto-injector, nebulized bronchodilators.

Hours of training: 140 minimum.

Certification requirements: Minimum age 18, high school diploma or GED, EMT-Basic skills proficiency verification by training program, state-administered National Registry certification exam, and submit EMS Personnel Certification Application and fee

Recertification requirements: Required every four years. Option of 72 hours of continuing education, attending a recertification course or National Registry assessment exam.

Application

• Application processing takes approximately four to six weeks. Submit the initial certification/licensure application for EMS personnel with fee, if not exempt, to:
  Texas Department of State Health Services
  Attn: ZZ100-160 EMS
  1100 W. 49th St.
  Austin, TX  78756-3199. Electronic application and fee submission is available through Texas Online.
• To view required fees, see fee schedule.

• After you complete your state approved EMT class, your course coordinator will forward your name to TXDSHS. You can check your name for yourself at this link. The link will take you to the TXDSHS website. You should be able to see your status as "Eligible for National Registry Test" or "Eligible for Testing." If so, you can schedule to take your exam. Click here for the TXDSHS exam scheduler. If your status says "Need Application Form" or "Need Application Fee" you will be able to take the National Registry test, but you will not be certified in Texas until those things are cleared up. See the TXDSHS website for further information.

• For information about National Registry computer-based testing (CBT), visit the TDSHS Exam Information page. You are responsible for meeting NR application and fee requirements, as well as any other requirements necessary for gaining NR certification.
• The NR office will notify you of your exam score and, if necessary, will provide retest instructions.

• After you take the exam you may monitor the certification search page for your state certification status. http://dshsregn.dshs.state.tx.us/ems/certquery.htm  The web page will not show your exam score. It will provide state application status information, such as "Certified" if you pass the exam AND all requirements have been met, or "Pending deficiencies" if there are deficiencies on your state application. The state office will not receive notice of your NR deficiencies. NR will contact you directly. If you have questions about your state application deficencies, please contact our office at 512-834-6700.  If you have questions on exam content, grade subscales or additional copies of grade reports, contact National Registry.
• If you need an exam accommodation, you will be required to submit a separate request to the NR office. You will be required to meet the NR policy requirements for exam accommodations.

• You can expect to receive your Texas certificate/license and ID card approximately four to six weeks after submitting your COMPLETED state application form, if all requirements are met. If your application is incomplete, your certification will be delayed.
• You can monitor your state certification status online: Check cerification status

• If you have questions about your state certification/license status, you may contact the TDSHS at emscert@dshs.state.tx.us; 512-834-6700 (phone); or 512-834-6714 (fax).
• Written correspondence can be mailed to: 1100 W. 49th St., Attn: EMS Cert., Austin, TX 78756.