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Ministry of Health

First Responders

Applying for a First Responder Licence

Applying for a First Responder Licence is a four-step process:

  1. Take an approved training program. See training agencies for a list of approved agencies for the first responder program. 
  2. Successfully complete the board’s examinations. These examinations are administered by your training agency at the end of your training.
  3. Your evaluator submits your course results to the training agency who submits them to EMA Licensing Branch with a recommendation for licensure (Schedule 1 plus any endorsements).
  4. Submit your Application for First Responder Licence form, signed and dated, to the EMA Licensing Branch through your department or on your own initiative.

Important Things to Know

  • Under the EMA Regulation, you are required to carry your licence on your person at all times when practicing as an EMA.
  • Only your home address and phone number will be accepted on your application in the applicant information section. Please use the department information section of the application to record your employment address if applicable.
  • There is no process to accept first responders trained outside of British Columbia. All first responders must take their training in British Columbia.

Keeping a First Responder Licence

A first responder licence is valid for three years. 

Before your licence expires, you may either take the full course as a refresher before taking examinations or challenge the examination without taking the course.

  • Once training (if taken) and examinations are complete, your evaluator submits your course results to the training agency.  
  • The training agency submits the examination results to EMA Licensing Branch with a recommendation for re-licensure.
  • Submit your Application for First Responder Licence form, signed and dated, to the EMA Licensing Branch through your department or on your own initiative.

Important Things to Know

  • Only your home address and phone number will be accepted on your application in the applicant information section. Please use the department information section of the application to record your employment address, if applicable.
  • If training or exam challenge is not available before your licence expires, you or your department may submit a Request for Extension form to ask for a licence extension up to 60 days for you to complete renewal requirements.
  • The request for extension must be made before your licence expires.

If your licence has expired, you are no longer licensed to practice as an EMA.

You will need to complete a Request for Reinstatement form.

Your request for reinstatement will be reviewed and you will be notified of any further requirements by email.