Obtain EMR Kentucky Licensure By Qualifying for One of the Following:

1) Military Reciprocity

Pursuant to 202 KAR 7:330
Any member of the United States Armed Forces, or veteran who has transitioned within the past six (6) years from the United States Armed Forces, and has been registered by the National Registry as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician or EMT and has successfully completed a board-approved United States Armed Forces medical training course shall be eligible for reciprocity for certification as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician in Kentucky.

  • Provide Your DD214s or Joint Service Transcripts:
    • Proof of completing a board approved United States Armed Forces medical training course which included NREMT– AEMT or EMT certification. (see Complete application requirements below)
  • If applying via United States Armed Forces medical training course with an NREMT-AEMT or EMT certification the applicant will need to submit proof of completing a board approved bridge course to Paramedic certification.
  • Pay fee required for certification pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030
  • Application fee: $10
  • Licensure fee:  $15
  • Reciprocity fee: $125
  • TOTAL: $185.00
2) Contiguous State Reciprocity

Pursuant to 202 KAR 7:330
Applicants who are certified in a contiguous state to the Commonwealth of Kentucky or by the NREMT as a AEMT must submit these items:

  • Proof of NREMT – AEMT Certification
    • Copy of NREMT – AEMT certification card or certificate OR
    • Proof of current, unrestricted, AEMT certification in a contiguous state to the Commonwealth of Kentucky (Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia) 
    • AEMT certification. (see Complete application requirements below)
  • Pay fee required for certification pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030
  • Application fee: $10
  • Licensure fee:  $15
  • Reciprocity fee: $125
  • TOTAL: $185.00
3) Licensure Re-Instatement

Pursuant to 202 KAR 7:330
Applicants who were previously licensed AEMT within the State of Kentucky must apply for reinstatement, with submission of these items:

  • Application fee: $10
  • Licensure fee:  $50
  • Reciprocity fee: $150
  • Late fee: $50
  • TOTAL: $260.00
4) New AEMTs

Applicants who do not meet standards #1-#3 can still be an EMR!
Become certified in only 4 months

  • 4 month KCTCS EMT Program: Learn More About the Program
    • [Military] Credit may be awarded to currently practicing EMT’s towards the Associate in Applied Science Degree. 
    • Transitioning military automatically qualify for A-EMT licensure and can complete a bridge educational program in Paramedics. The Paramedic program can be completed in 12 months.
  • Programs offered at the following KCTCS locations:
    • Bluegrass Community and Technical College
    • Gateway Community and Technical College
    • Hazard Community and Technical College
    • Hopkinsville Community College
    • Jefferson Community and Technical College
    • Madisonville Community College
    • Owensboro Community and Technical College
    • Somerset Community College
    • Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College

Meet the Standards via Pathway #1-#4?

  • Complete an AEMT license application through a KEMSIS account

Per202 KAR 7:401  Paramedic Applicants must also submit proof of compliance for the following items if requested:

  • Is at least eighteen (18) years of age;
  • Holds a high school diploma, high school equivalency diploma, or home school diploma;
  • Holds current unrestricted certification as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician in Kentucky or holds current unrestricted certification with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (see board for details pertaining to reciprocity);
  • Is not currently subject to disciplinary action pursuant to KRS 311A.050 and KRS 311A.090 that would prevent licensure;
  • Meets all additional requirements established by the EMS Training and Educational Institution (EMS-TEI).
  • Application fee: $10; Licensure fee:  $50
  • Undergo a background check pursuant to KRS 311A.050 and 311A.100. Background check MUST be less than 6 months old at the time of application.
New Applicants:

CastleBranch is the only approved vendor by the board for any applicant not currently certified or licensed as an EMS provider by KBEMS.

Currently Certified:

If you are currently a KBEMS certified or licensed EMS provider, you can submit a background check through the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).

Up to date (CEU) requirements: 202 KAR 7:601

Please contact KBEMS legal at [email protected] if you have any legal questions concerning your eligibility for Paramedic license.

Kentucky Board of EMS

2464 Fortune Drive, Suite 195,
Lexington, Kentucky 40509
(859) 256-3565

Contact KBEMS Legal

at [email protected] if you have 
any legal questions concerning your
eligibility for AEMT license.

For your convenience, you can access the steps below via a PDF

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