EMS Coordinator - Instructor Certification

Course Coordinators

A course coordinator is someone who operates an EMS training course following an approved EMS training program.  

Course coordinators can have a basic or an advanced coordinator certification. They can't coordinate courses above their certification level.   

Initial Coordinator Certification and Renewal

Requirements for Coordinator Certification: Basic Coordinator Certification Eligibility

  • Certified as an EMT or higher for at least four consecutive years,  

  • Certified as an EMS instructor for at least two consecutive years, 

  • At least: 

    • 120 hours of documented instruction hours for initial EMS certificates, or  

    • Successfully led an EMT-basic course,  

    • Send documentation of positive evaluations as a certified instructor, 

  • Show evidence of supervision under: 

    • A licensed provider,  

    • An EMS medical director,  

    • A teaching hospital,  

    • A regionally accredited post-secondary educational institution, or  

    • A health care institution accredited by an organization that we recognize, 

  • Submit letters of intent from qualified providers of clinical and field internship experience, 

  • Pass a DSHS-sponsored course coordinator training course 

  • Pass a state-written examination within one year of course completion, 

  • Submit online basic course coordinator:  

    • Application,  

    • Fee, and  

    • Required documentation within 1 year of course completion.  

Requirements for Coordinator Certification: Advanced Coordinator Certification Eligibility

  • At least: 

    • Four consecutive years as a certified or licensed paramedic,  

    • Have an associate's, bachelor's, or advanced degree, 

    • Four consecutive years as a certified EMS instructor, 

    • 240 documented hours of instruction for initial EMS certificate students,  

  • Documentation of positive evaluations as a certified instructor or as a basic coordinator, 

  • Show evidence of working under the supervision of:  

    • A licensed provider,  

    • An EMS medical director,  

    • A teaching hospital,  

    • A regionally accredited post-secondary educational institution, or  

    • A health care institution accredited by an organization that we recognize,  

  • Submit letters of intent from qualified providers of clinical and field internship experience, 

  • Pass a DSHS-sponsored course coordinator training course 

    • Candidates with a current basic coordinator certification do not have to take the coordinator training course and exam. 

  • Submit an online basic course coordinator:  

    • Application,  

    • Fee, and  

    • Required documentation within 1 year of course completion. 

Coordinator Renewal

Apply online before expiration for your renewal.  

EMS educators must:  

  • Complete,  

  • Maintain, and  

  • Show proof, if requested, of either: 

  • The required observation or  

  • At least 8 hours of performing emergency medical care. 

    • These hours must be with:  

      • A licensed EMS provider,  

      • A first responder organization, or  

      • A clinical site for your last certification period. 

EMS Basic/Advanced Fees

Expiration Date  Cost
Within 12 months before expiration date  $34
Within 90 days after expiration date  $49
Within 91 days to 1 year after expiration date  $64
After 1 year of expiration  Applications submitted after 1 year of expiration are not eligible for renewal. Applicants must repeat initial course requirements. 

 

Initial Instructor Certification and Renewal

An instructor is someone teaches an EMS training course from an approved EMS training program.  

Apply online to become an instructor. 

Requirements for Instructor Certification

Initial Instructor Certification Eligibility: 

  • Must have a current Texas EMT certification or higher, 

  • Submit a completed application and fee, 

  • Pass a Texas-approved EMS instructor course, such as: 

    • The Methods of Teaching course: 

      • This is the 2002 EMS Educator´s course on the NHTSA EMS page, 

      • Called the "methods of teaching" course (lower case),  

      • It is not the 1986 DOT instructor course, 

    • The NAEMSE course: 
      • The National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) course follows the 2002 EMS Educator´s course curriculum 
    • A US Military Instructor course 

      • Any military instructor course, but 

      • The 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, 
    • Pro-board courses 

      • Any Pro-Board instructor course, but  

      • The applicant must hold a current Pro-Board instructor certification  

  • A degree in secondary or higher education: 

    • We need the official or unofficial transcript coursework needed to complete it, 

  • A secondary teaching certificate 

    • Includes the coursework needed to get it, but  

    • The applicant must have a current secondary teaching certification, 

  • Out-of-State instructor certification 

    • Must have a current out-of-state certification 

  • Must pass an approved instructor exam. 

Certification Status

Check the certification search page for your state certification status.  

It might take us up to four weeks to process your application. Processing times may take even longer for incomplete applications.

Certificate

You'll get your Texas instructor or coordinator certificate and ID card about two weeks from approval. The USPS delivery date and time might affect its arrival.

Instructor Renewal

You need to apply online and submit the fee before expiration to renew on time. 

EMS educators must:  

  • Complete,  

  • Maintain, and  

  • Show proof, if requested, of either  

  • The required observation or  

  • At least eight hours of providing emergency medical care under:  

    • A licensed EMS provider,  

    • A first responder organization, or  

    • A clinical site for your last certification period. 

View the EMS Rules for course coordinators or instructors for more information.

EMS Instructor Fees

Expiration Date  Cost
Within 12 months before expiration date   $34
Within 90 days after expiration date   $49
Within 91 days to 1 year after expiration date  $64
After 1 year of expiration  Applications submitted after 1 year of expiration are not eligible for renewal. Applicants must repeat initial course requirements. 

EMS Info Operator Instructor Fees

Expiration Date Cost
Within 12 months before expiration date  $64
Within 90 days after expiration date  $94
Within 91 days to 1 year after expiration date  $124
After 1 year of expiration Applications submitted after 1 year of expiration are not eligible for renewal. Applicants must repeat initial course requirements. 

Rules and Policies

These rules and policies will help explain more details on EMS coordinator and instructor certification.