If you are certified in another state or are a nurse or military corpsmen, you may want to review this section.
The Office of Emergency Medical Services, Virginia Department of Health, recognizes current EMS certifications. All candidates for reciprocity, legal recognition, and equivalency must complete an application packet and mail copies of EMS credentials to the Division of Educational Development of the Office of EMS. In Virginia, no fee is required for basic life support (BLS) or advanced life support (ALS) certification.
Basic Life Support level
Reciprocity
EMTs for the state and district listed below can transfer their certification directly to Virginia with written permission from the Office of EMS. No test is required for EMT reciprocity.
District of Columbia
Pennsylvania
Legal Recognition
Current EMT certification from the following states and U. S. territories is good in Virginia for a maximum of one year or the time left on the present certification, whichever is shortest. Candidates for legal recognition must have written permission from the Office of EMS. No test is required for legal recognition. In order to recertify, technicians must complete CE (continuing education) prior to their certification expiration date and take a written and practical examination.
*National Registry |
Guam |
Michigan |
Puerto Rico |
Alabama |
Hawaii |
Mississippi |
Rhode Island |
Alaska |
Idaho |
Missouri |
South Carolina |
American Samoa |
Illinois |
Montana |
South Dakota |
Arizona |
Indiana |
Nebraska |
Texas |
Arkansas |
Iowa |
New Jersey |
Utah |
California |
Kansas |
New Mexico |
Vermont |
Colorado |
Kentucky |
New York |
Virgin Islands |
Connecticut |
Louisiana |
North Dakota |
Wisconsin |
Delaware |
Maine |
Ohio |
Wyoming |
Florida |
Maryland |
Oklahoma |
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Georgia |
Massachusetts |
Oregon |
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*National Registry is also recognized as legal recognition.
BLS Equivalency Certification
LPNs, RNs, Physician’s Assistants (PAs) and Military Corpsmen can request to challenge the EMT (BLS level) test. They must complete the 36-hour EMT-B refresher class and pass the standardized written examination and practical skills stations.
Written approval is required from the Office of EMS before taking the EMT refresher class.
For more information on reciprocity, legal recognition or equivalency, call or write:
Office of Emergency Medical Services
Virginia Department of Health
109 Governor Street, Suite UB-55
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 612-3950 or 1-800-523-6019 (Toll Free in Virginia Only)