How to become an EMT in Colorado

Colorado certifies EMTs through the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and it has no reciprocity: another state's card does not let you practice here, and every first-time applicant must hold National Registry registration. Everything below comes from CDPHE's EMS provider certification pages, checked October 18, 2026.

Study aid, not a protocol. Nothing on this site replaces your course, your medical director or your agency's protocols. Built by an RN and former EMT. Headed In LLC is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) or any state EMS office; their names appear here only to point you to the real thing.

The national steps, briefly

  1. A state-approved EMT course

    Every state approves its own programs, all taught to the National EMS Education Standards. Most run 150 to 300 hours over three to six months.

  2. A healthcare-provider CPR card

    AHA BLS or an equivalent your state accepts, usually before clinicals.

  3. The cognitive exam

    The National Registry (NREMT) EMT exam: 70 to 120 adaptive questions in 2 hours, $104 per attempt, six attempts within two years of your course.

  4. Your state's license or certification

    The card comes from the state, not the Registry. The state's own steps are below.

The full national walk-through: How to become an EMT.

Colorado, step by step

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, EMTS branch

  1. Course: a full EMT course through a Colorado EMS education program.
  2. Exams: pass both National Registry exams, written and psychomotor, and hold Registry registration at the EMT level.
  3. CPR card: an image of a current card from CDPHE's list of approved CPR programs.
  4. Fingerprints: a fingerprint-based check submitted to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, with both CBI and FBI results requested, within 60 days before or after your application. Older background checks are not accepted; miss the window and you may pay for new prints.
  5. Application: create an account on OATH (Online Application Tracking Hub) and submit the initial EMS provider application. CDPHE emails you when it is approved, with instructions to print your certificate. No certification fee appears on CDPHE's pages; age is in the state rules, so ask your program.
  6. Renewal: the first certificate lasts three years, and EMTs renew every three years, from 6 months before expiry. A current Registry number counts as proof of continuing education and skills; otherwise earn the state's CE hours and have a recognized program verify them and your skills. Lapsed more than 6 months means applying as new.
  7. From another state: no reciprocity; get Registry registration and apply as a first-time applicant.

Sources: CDPHE, EMS provider certification and EMS provider reciprocity; rules at 6 CCR 1015-3. Checked October 18, 2026.

Practice for the exam, freeOur own questions, written to the national standards and tagged to the exam's 28 job tasks, with a Pass Meter.

Official pages