Applying for a First Responder Certificate
or EMT License

HFS 110-113, Wisconsin Administrative Code, set forth requirements for issuing each level of certification/licensure.  For example, administrative code requires individuals to apply for an initial license within 24 months of completing the applicable EMT course or they will be required to retake the entire educational program for which they are applying.  The Wisconsin  certificate/license expires on June 30^th of every even numbered year.  An individual's  initial certification or license will be valid for the remainder of the current biennium.  Thereafter, the license will be valid for 2 years.  Licenses and certificates must be renewed each biennium prior to the expiration date. 

An individual applying for a certificate to act as a first responder or a license to act as an EMT in Wisconsin must comply with all of the following:

1. Apply on the current application form available online at http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/forms/dph/dph07477.pdf.  If an individual is applying for affiliation with more than one EMS service, they must complete an application form for each service.
2. Applicant must be 18 years of age or older.  A basic training permit may be issued to an applicant who is 17 years of age or older.
3. The application for an individual affiliated with a service provider must be signed by the service director and the service medical director.  These signatures are not required on non-affiliated license applications.
4. All required information must be attached, i.e., driver license abstract and/or criminal history information (if applicable).  An applicant submitting an incomplete application will receive a follow-up checklist.  Incomplete applications will not be processed or returned and are kept on file for 6 months.  After 6 months, a new, complete application must be submitted.
5. The applicant must not have an arrest or conviction record that substantially relates to performance of the duties as a FR/EMT.
6. Present documentation of successful completion of the applicable state-approved FR/EMT training program within the last 24 months.  Training completed in Wisconsin is provided to us by the training center and submission of the course completion certificate is not necessary. Applicants trained out of the state must submit proof of course completion and supporting documentation that their course meets Wisconsin ’s requirements.
7. Present documentation of successful completion of a department-approved written and practical skills examination taken after successful completion of the FR/EMT training.
8. Present documentation of current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after successfully completing a course for health care professionals approved by the department. (CPR certification must be maintained at all times for the FR certificate or EMT license to be valid.)  Applicants for an EMT license at the Intermediate and Paramedic levels must also show proof of current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.

Failure to meet these requirements may result in your being disqualified for a certificate/license.

Please note that it is the individuals' responsibility to ensure that they have met all requirements for obtaining and renewing their certificate/license.  Individuals are not certified/licensed until they can verify a certificate/ license has been issued to them. 

Wisconsin Administrative Code allows the EMS office 60 business days process an application and to issue a license.   As it rarely takes that long, contact our office if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of submitting your application.  Please do not call our office unless it has been more than 4 weeks since sending us your application as status checks significantly slow down our processing.

Last Revised: July 22, 2008