Texas Paramedic (EMT-P certification or Licensed Paramedic)
Texas Department of State Health Services — EMS Personnel Certification/Licensure
- Time
- If NRP current: weeks for reciprocity (estimate). If not NRP: often 6–18+ months for accredited paramedic program + exam (estimate).
- Cost
- DSHS reciprocity fee published $126; AEMT/EMT-P initial fee listed $96; Licensed Paramedic $126 (confirm current). Program tuition is the major cost if schooling needed (estimate).
Marker: Estimate
Requirements4
- Hold or obtain National Registry Paramedic (or meet out-of-state paramedic reciprocity requirements published by DSHS), then apply for Texas paramedic certification or licensure at the appropriate level
Sources:Texas DSHS — EMS · NREMT
- Texas DSHS — EMSOut-of-state certified EMS personnel may apply for Texas certification by reciprocity. ECA / First Responder / EMR are **not** eligible for Texas reciprocity. Military applicants are directed to the same reciprocity lane. In its military-applicant instructions, DSHS says to attach current military ID or DD214 to the application to receive a fee exemption; its separate military page still says to pay $126. Verify the applicable fee or exemption with DSHS before paying. Paramedic applicants currently certified/licensed in another state/territory who meet department academic requirements may apply for paramedic certification or licensure through reciprocity.
Citation id
SRC-TX-DSHS-RECIPROCITY - Texas DSHS — EMSTexas EMS certification requires age 18+, HS diploma/GED, DSHS-approved course (for initial path), application + fee, National Registry exam, and Texas/FBI fingerprints. Texas uses NREMT as the state-approved exam. Paramedic levels: **EMT-Paramedic certification** (paramedic course without required degree) vs **Licensed Paramedic** (associate EMS degree or bachelor's in any field). Published fees include ECA/EMT $64; AEMT/EMT-P $96; Licensed Paramedic $126; **Reciprocity (all levels) $126**.
Citation id
SRC-TX-DSHS-INITIAL - NREMTNationally Registered Paramedic requires current NREMT/state EMT (or higher) plus successful completion of CAAHEP-accredited (or CoAEMSP LoR) paramedic program meeting National EMS Education Standards — **68W AIT alone does not equal NRP**.
Citation id
SRC-NREMT-PARAMEDIC-SCHEME
- If seeking Licensed Paramedic: meet Texas academic requirements (two-year EMS degree or four-year degree in any field per DSHS initial certification page)
Sources:Texas DSHS — EMS
- Texas DSHS — EMSTexas EMS certification requires age 18+, HS diploma/GED, DSHS-approved course (for initial path), application + fee, National Registry exam, and Texas/FBI fingerprints. Texas uses NREMT as the state-approved exam. Paramedic levels: **EMT-Paramedic certification** (paramedic course without required degree) vs **Licensed Paramedic** (associate EMS degree or bachelor's in any field). Published fees include ECA/EMT $64; AEMT/EMT-P $96; Licensed Paramedic $126; **Reciprocity (all levels) $126**.
Citation id
SRC-TX-DSHS-INITIAL
- Reciprocity/application fee, fingerprints, and jurisprudence as required for reciprocity applicants
Sources:Texas DSHS — EMS · Texas Administrative Code (via LII mirror of 25 TAC §157.33)
- Texas DSHS — EMSTexas EMS certification requires age 18+, HS diploma/GED, DSHS-approved course (for initial path), application + fee, National Registry exam, and Texas/FBI fingerprints. Texas uses NREMT as the state-approved exam. Paramedic levels: **EMT-Paramedic certification** (paramedic course without required degree) vs **Licensed Paramedic** (associate EMS degree or bachelor's in any field). Published fees include ECA/EMT $64; AEMT/EMT-P $96; Licensed Paramedic $126; **Reciprocity (all levels) $126**.
Citation id
SRC-TX-DSHS-INITIAL - Texas Administrative Code (via LII mirror of 25 TAC §157.33)25 TAC §157.33 — A person currently certified by the National Registry who did **not** complete a department-approved course may apply for equal or lower Texas certification by reciprocity application and nonrefundable fee (rule text lists $120; DSHS site currently publishes reciprocity fee $126 — **verify current fee with DSHS**). Candidate must complete a state-approved **jurisprudence** examination on Texas EMS laws/rules/policies. National Registry first responder is not eligible for ECA reciprocity. Reciprocity not allowed for ECA level (out-of-state path). Certification period four years from issuance when requirements met.
Citation id
SRC-TX-TAC-157.33
- If not yet NRP: graduate CAAHEP-accredited (or CoAEMSP LoR) paramedic program meeting National EMS Education Standards, then pass NREMT Paramedic exam
Sources:NREMT
- NREMTNationally Registered Paramedic requires current NREMT/state EMT (or higher) plus successful completion of CAAHEP-accredited (or CoAEMSP LoR) paramedic program meeting National EMS Education Standards — **68W AIT alone does not equal NRP**.
Citation id
SRC-NREMT-PARAMEDIC-SCHEME
Gaps3
Typical + answer-adjusted
- Accredited paramedic program if not already NRP
- Degree documentation if aiming for Licensed Paramedic
- Texas application/reciprocity fee, fingerprints, jurisprudence
Ordered next steps4
- Confirm whether you hold current NRP.
- If yes: contact/apply via DSHS reciprocity; decide EMT-P certification vs Licensed Paramedic based on your degree.
- If no: research CAAHEP/CoAEMSP paramedic programs; do not treat base 68W as paramedic equivalency.
- Complete fingerprints + jurisprudence; verify with Texas DSHS before relying on any timeline.
May satisfy from 68W / typical certs
Language is intentionally cautious — may satisfy, never guaranteed.
- Current NRP may support Texas paramedic reciprocity / certification application at equal or lower level — verify academic requirements for Licensed Paramedic vs EMT-P certification
Caveat: Base 68W AIT alone does not equal paramedic
Sources:Texas DSHS — EMS · NREMT
- Texas DSHS — EMSOut-of-state certified EMS personnel may apply for Texas certification by reciprocity. ECA / First Responder / EMR are **not** eligible for Texas reciprocity. Military applicants are directed to the same reciprocity lane. In its military-applicant instructions, DSHS says to attach current military ID or DD214 to the application to receive a fee exemption; its separate military page still says to pay $126. Verify the applicable fee or exemption with DSHS before paying. Paramedic applicants currently certified/licensed in another state/territory who meet department academic requirements may apply for paramedic certification or licensure through reciprocity.
Citation id
SRC-TX-DSHS-RECIPROCITY - Texas DSHS — EMSTexas EMS certification requires age 18+, HS diploma/GED, DSHS-approved course (for initial path), application + fee, National Registry exam, and Texas/FBI fingerprints. Texas uses NREMT as the state-approved exam. Paramedic levels: **EMT-Paramedic certification** (paramedic course without required degree) vs **Licensed Paramedic** (associate EMS degree or bachelor's in any field). Published fees include ECA/EMT $64; AEMT/EMT-P $96; Licensed Paramedic $126; **Reciprocity (all levels) $126**.
Citation id
SRC-TX-DSHS-INITIAL - NREMTNationally Registered Paramedic requires current NREMT/state EMT (or higher) plus successful completion of CAAHEP-accredited (or CoAEMSP LoR) paramedic program meeting National EMS Education Standards — **68W AIT alone does not equal NRP**.
Citation id
SRC-NREMT-PARAMEDIC-SCHEME
- Army combat paramedic partnership graduates who obtained NRP may be close
Caveat: Verify individual NRP status and Texas level (EMT-P vs Licensed Paramedic)
Sources:U.S. Army (official article) · NREMT
- U.S. Army (official article)Army 68W training historically requires NREMT EMT certification during METC/Fort Sam Houston pipeline (~16-week course); Soldiers expected to maintain NREMT.
Citation id
SRC-ARMY-68W-NREMT - NREMTNationally Registered Paramedic requires current NREMT/state EMT (or higher) plus successful completion of CAAHEP-accredited (or CoAEMSP LoR) paramedic program meeting National EMS Education Standards — **68W AIT alone does not equal NRP**.
Citation id
SRC-NREMT-PARAMEDIC-SCHEME
Pay and official data notes
Imported or attempted official data. Each note shows its review status.
Pay range
Needs expert reviewAnnual median (Paramedics) $57,500. BLS OEWS 2025, series OEUS480000000000029204313. Checked 2026-09-27. Source year 2025.
Copied from the active enlisted 68W row in DMDC file milx0724 (O*NET crosswalk updated August 2024): the only O*NET-SOC code on that row is 29-2043.00 Paramedics. That code is not NREMT Paramedic and is not a Florida or Texas paramedic certificate. The same DMDC row does not list a separate Emergency Medical Technician occupation. Florida and Texas EMT/paramedic rules in this app stay on the curated primary-source pathways. Needs human/SME review before this row is used to describe credential eligibility.
BLS OEWS (opens in the browser)Checked 2026-09-27. Source year 2025.
Annual mean (Paramedics) $57,590. BLS OEWS 2025, series OEUS480000000000029204304. Checked 2026-09-27. Source year 2025.
Copied from the active enlisted 68W row in DMDC file milx0724 (O*NET crosswalk updated August 2024): the only O*NET-SOC code on that row is 29-2043.00 Paramedics. That code is not NREMT Paramedic and is not a Florida or Texas paramedic certificate. The same DMDC row does not list a separate Emergency Medical Technician occupation. Florida and Texas EMT/paramedic rules in this app stay on the curated primary-source pathways. Needs human/SME review before this row is used to describe credential eligibility.
BLS OEWS (opens in the browser)Checked 2026-09-27. Source year 2025.
Research details
Needs expert review. Sign-off not recorded.
Licensed occupation
Needs expert reviewLicensed occupation in Texas.
This line is evidence that the file lists a license. It is not a determination that military training meets the license.
Research details
Checked 2026-09-27. Source date 20230810. Sign-off not recorded.
Related programs
No pathway-linked education programs for this credential yet. Browse the full Education resources list for your MOS and state.
Official links
Verify on the licensing authority's own pages before paying a fee.
Source citations
Show 6 source citations
- Texas DSHS — EMSOut-of-state certified EMS personnel may apply for Texas certification by reciprocity. ECA / First Responder / EMR are **not** eligible for Texas reciprocity. Military applicants are directed to the same reciprocity lane. In its military-applicant instructions, DSHS says to attach current military ID or DD214 to the application to receive a fee exemption; its separate military page still says to pay $126. Verify the applicable fee or exemption with DSHS before paying. Paramedic applicants currently certified/licensed in another state/territory who meet department academic requirements may apply for paramedic certification or licensure through reciprocity.
Citation id
SRC-TX-DSHS-RECIPROCITY - Texas DSHS — EMSTexas EMS certification requires age 18+, HS diploma/GED, DSHS-approved course (for initial path), application + fee, National Registry exam, and Texas/FBI fingerprints. Texas uses NREMT as the state-approved exam. Paramedic levels: **EMT-Paramedic certification** (paramedic course without required degree) vs **Licensed Paramedic** (associate EMS degree or bachelor's in any field). Published fees include ECA/EMT $64; AEMT/EMT-P $96; Licensed Paramedic $126; **Reciprocity (all levels) $126**.
Citation id
SRC-TX-DSHS-INITIAL - NREMTNationally Registered Paramedic requires current NREMT/state EMT (or higher) plus successful completion of CAAHEP-accredited (or CoAEMSP LoR) paramedic program meeting National EMS Education Standards — **68W AIT alone does not equal NRP**.
Citation id
SRC-NREMT-PARAMEDIC-SCHEME - Texas Administrative Code (via LII mirror of 25 TAC §157.33)25 TAC §157.33 — A person currently certified by the National Registry who did **not** complete a department-approved course may apply for equal or lower Texas certification by reciprocity application and nonrefundable fee (rule text lists $120; DSHS site currently publishes reciprocity fee $126 — **verify current fee with DSHS**). Candidate must complete a state-approved **jurisprudence** examination on Texas EMS laws/rules/policies. National Registry first responder is not eligible for ECA reciprocity. Reciprocity not allowed for ECA level (out-of-state path). Certification period four years from issuance when requirements met.
Citation id
SRC-TX-TAC-157.33 - U.S. Army (official article)Army 68W training historically requires NREMT EMT certification during METC/Fort Sam Houston pipeline (~16-week course); Soldiers expected to maintain NREMT.
Citation id
SRC-ARMY-68W-NREMT - Texas DSHS — EMS and Trauma SystemsCurrent military service members, veterans, and spouses who received EMT training in the military and have a **current National Registry certification** are eligible for Texas EMT certification. Military courses are **not** Texas-approved courses, so applicants follow the **same reciprocity process** as out-of-state applicants: reciprocity online application, **$126** application fee (as published on DSHS military page), and FBI fingerprint background check. DSHS's reciprocity page separately describes a military fee exemption; verify the applicable amount with DSHS.
Citation id
SRC-TX-DSHS-MILITARY
Badge meanings
Related civilian job titles (not licenses)
O*NET occupation matches · 68W
All 68-series crosswalkOccupation classification only. Not a license, not military equivalency. Retrieved 2026-09-26.
This page includes filtered information from O*NET military crosswalk files by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license (opens in the browser) (O*NET license page (opens in the browser)). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Military Credential Bridge filtered these files to Army 68-series rows and did not add occupation codes by hand. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Military Occupational Classification rows are from the Defense Manpower Data Center crosswalk distributed with the O*NET files. A linkage is an occupation classification, not a civilian license.
DMDC lists O*NET-SOC 29-2043.00 Paramedics for 68W. That is an occupation classification. It is not NREMT Paramedic and it is not this state's paramedic certificate. Ranking still keeps paramedic below EMT unless NRP is reported.
- Paramedics29-2043.00Needs reviewDMDC via O*NET
Copied from the active enlisted 68W row in DMDC file milx0724 (O*NET crosswalk updated August 2024): the only O*NET-SOC code on that row is 29-2043.00 Paramedics. That code is not NREMT Paramedic and is not a Florida or Texas paramedic certificate. The same DMDC row does not list a separate Emergency Medical Technician occupation. Florida and Texas EMT/paramedic rules in this app stay on the curated primary-source pathways. Needs human/SME review before this row is used to describe credential eligibility.
O*NET summary (opens in the browser) · Military crosswalk search (opens in the browser) · Army COOL occupation page (opens in the browser)
- Home Health Aides31-1121.00Needs reviewCOOL supplemental
Supplemental linkage from the O*NET COOL crosswalk file (DOD COOL sites, file updated August 2024). Not a state licensing rule. The live Army COOL credential matrix was not imported because that site is dynamic. Florida curated research excludes home health aide as a state-licensed credential pathway.
O*NET summary (opens in the browser) · Military crosswalk search (opens in the browser) · Army COOL occupation page (opens in the browser)
Not imported · needs review
29-2042.00 Emergency Medical Technicians. 29-2042.00 does not appear on the Army 68W row in military_crosswalk/milx0724.csv. The 2015 enhanced-analysis workbook lists retired code 29-2041.00 Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics instead. This gap is recorded for review and is not imported as a 68W match.
O*NET search page (opens in the browser) · Occupation title check (opens in the browser)