INITIAL INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION
Electronic initial and renewal application and fee submission is available through Texas.gov.
Click here and find the link to your application level and type.
Click here for paper application
Requirements for Instructor Certification
Prerequisite - Hold Texas EMT certification or higher
Course - Successfully complete a Texas-approved EMS instructor course (see below):
Methods of Teaching Course - this is defined as the 2002 EMS Educator´s course outlined on the NHTSA EMS Page; referred to as the "methods of teaching" course (lower case); (not the 1986 DOT instructor course)
NAEMSE Course -the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) course follows the 2002 EMS Educator´s course curriculum
US Military Instructor Course - any military instructor course, but applicant must hold a current instructor certification issued by a branch of the military
Texas Commission on Fire Protection Courses - any TCFP instructor course, but the applicant must hold current TCFP instructor certification
Secondary Education Degree - the coursework required for obtaining; official transcript or equivalent required
Secondary Teaching Certificate - the coursework required for obtaining, but applicant must continue to hold the secondary teaching certification
Out-of-State Instructor Certification - must continue to hold out-of-state certification to be given credit for coursework
Application / Fee - Submit an application and $34 fee (includes $4 for Texas Online processing) for Texas EMS instructor
Paper Application - click here to link to the DSHS instructor (paper) application
Texas.gov Application - click here to link to the DSHS instructor (online) application
Exam - Pass an approved instructor exam (see below):
State Exam - Texas EMS Instructor exam
Approved Equivalent Exam - applicants who submit course information establishing that the exam administered by the instructor course coordinator was approved by DSHS do not have to sit for the state exam
Current Certification from DSHS-Approved Course - applicants who hold current certification and submit documentation of completion of an out-of-state, NAEMSE, TCFP, US Military course do not have to sit for our state exam
Education Degree and Teaching Certificate Holders - applicants who hold current certification and submit documentation of completion of an out-of-state, NAEMSE, TCFP, US Military course do not have to sit for our state exam
Skills Orientation Session No Longer Required - Instructors are responsible for administering skills proficiency verification, as assigned or delegated by the course coordinator, but documentation of a skills orientation training session is no longer required for certification
Texas Administrative Code Rules - To view EMS certification/licensure rules and policies, see Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 157. The instructor rule is Sec. 157.44.
State Certification Status
After you take the exam you may monitor the certification search page for your state certification status. http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/emstraumasystems/NewCert.shtm 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 deficiencies, please contact our office at 512-834-6700 (select option 2).
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.
Certificate
You can expect to receive your Texas instructor certificate 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 will be notified in writing by EMS Certification.
You can monitor your state certification status online: Check certification status
Contact us
If you have questions about your state instructor certification status, you may contact us at emscert@dshs.state.tx.us; phone: 512-834-6700 (select option 2); or fax: 512-834-6714.
Written correspondence can be mailed to: Department of State Health Services, Attn: EMS, MC2835, PO Box 149347, Austin, Texas 78714-9347.
Renewal of InstructorCertification
Application / Fee – Submit an application and $34 fee (includes $4 for Texas Online processing) for Texas EMS instructor
Paper Application - click here to link to the DSHS instructor (paper) application
Texas.gov Application - click here to link to the DSHS instructor (online) application
Timely renewal - complete application submitted prior to expiration
Late renewal - complete application submitted during period that certificate was expired 90 days or less - 1 1/2 times regular fee
Late (re-entry) renewal - complete application submitted during period that certificate was expired over 90 days, but less than one year - 2 times regular fee
Too late to apply as a renewal - complete application submitted during period that certificate was expired over one year - Not eligible for renewal. Must repeat initial course requirements