Please read the below carefully before proceeding.
This form is for out-of-state EMS providers who are looking to gain New York State EMS certification based on education and certifications gained outside of New York State. This is not for EMS providers who took a course through a New York State Course Sponsor or are looking to renew their New York State EMS certification.
Please read each item carefully along with any relevant instructions. Failure to do so, as well as failure to provide requested information/documentation, may result in a delay.
If you have already submitted an application and are looking to provide additional requested items, do not fill out another application. Please refer to your email that you received for instructions on how to submit them.
Reciprocity is the process in which an individual holding a current EMS certification from one of the fifty (50) states, the District of Columbia, the military, and/or from the National Registry of EMT’s (NREMT) may be granted New York State EMS certification rather than taking a New York State Original education course.
The New York State Department of Health, Division of State Emergency Medical Services recognizes the following EMS provider levels as eligible of certification for reciprocity:
- Emergency Medical Responder/Certified First Responder (EMR/CFR)
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)
- Paramedic (EMT-P)
Please Note:
- New York State does not grant reciprocity to individuals who have obtained certification from other countries or U.S. territories who do not have a National Registry of EMTs certification.
- All applications must prove that no more than half of the didactic portion of their course was asynchronous. This requirement is based on lectures only; skills sessions and clinical experiences cannot be including in determining the in-person percentage.
- Only the applicant may complete, and sign, the application. A government-issued photo ID will be required to be attached to the application.
- Once a reciprocity application has been submitted, verification that you are an EMS provider in good standing must be requested from the state in which you currently hold certification or licensure in. This verification may be sent, via email, to EMS.Reciprocity@health.ny.gov. Reciprocity will not be approved until this verification is received and verified. Please contact your State EMS Office for guidance on how to request this verification.
- Reciprocity may not be used to recertify New York State EMS certifications that are about to expire or have previous expired. Those individuals must take a New York State Refresher course to recertify.
All applicants must meet criteria as stated in New York State regulation, specifically 10 NYCRR 800.12: Reciprocal certification requirements. The regulation outlines that the applicant must do the following:
- Demonstrate a need for New York State EMS certification by providing proof of residency or verifiable employment/volunteering opportunity.
- Have successfully completed a course that meets or exceeds a curriculum based on the current National EMS Education Standards (2021) and approved by Department;
- Have successfully
- Completed an out-of-state recognized, or National Registry of EMTs recertification program that is an equivalent program or process to New York State; and
- Complete a practical skills evaluation and/or cognitive certification exam as determined by the Department, both within the last 18 months.
The Division of State Emergency Medical Services is only able to grant reciprocity based on levels of EMS certification or licensure issued by another state or the National Registry of EMTs. New York State licensed allied health professionals may be eligible for advanced standing in a New York State EMS course. This is not reciprocity. Please refer to the current State EMS Policy Statement that pertains to Advanced Standing for further guidance on this process.
Reciprocity is not granted for any certification or license that was obtained by reciprocity. If the applicant was granted reciprocity by the state from which they are applying, the applicant must also have completed that state’s refresher and/or training requirement.
For reciprocity applicants, the Division of State Emergency Medical Services may issue certification for the time remaining on the applicant’s current state or National Registry of EMTs certification or license as long as it does not exceed thirty-six (36) months. If there is no expiration date listed on your current certification or license, New York State will grant a certification that will expire thirty-six (36) months from the date the application is approved and New York State certification is issued.
If your application is returned to you for any reason, you will have ninety (90) days from the date of correspondence from the Division of State Emergency Medical Services to correct any deficiencies and resubmit the necessary missing items for continued processing. Should you fail to submit required materials within the ninety (90) day period, your application will be closed. If you wish to reapply, you will be required to submit a new application. It is important for you to follow any instructions that may be included with any correspondence in order to minimize any delay in processing your reciprocity application.