EMT Certification

You must have a current Washington state EMT certification or be eligible for certification sponsorship upon hire. The department will offer an EMT course to conditionally-offered candidates who do not meet the EMT requirement. Please note that course openings are limited and participation is not guaranteed.

The following local organizations offer EMT courses:

The Medic One Foundation, in partnership with North Seattle College, has developed an EMT Scholarship Program to help remove financial barriers for individuals interested in pursuing a career in emergency medicine in Washington state. To learn more about the EMT Scholarship Program and application process, visit mediconefoundation.org/emt.

If you possess a National Registry certification or certification from another state, please review the EMS reciprocity requirements for King County and Washington state:

In King County, there are two recognized levels of pre-hosptial care: Paramedic and EMT. In all counties in Washington state except for King, you may be able to reciprocate your current recognized level of care. In King County, you can only reciprocate as an EMT. The following steps are required to gain reciprocity.

Step #1: Complete a Health Department-approved HIV/AIDS prevention class. (Note: you must complete the seven-hour course approved for Washington state.) See the Washington Department of Health's website for a list of approved organizations that have an internet-based application that can help you meet this requirement.

Step #2: If you do not already possess a National Registry EMT Certification, you will need to obtain one. If you have a National Registry Card and have not taken the written cognitive exam within a year (12 months) from the time it was issued, you will need to take the National Registry Assessment Exam for Washington state. This exam is administered through Pearson Vue testing center for National Registry. If you have any questions about this process, call (360) 236-2842 and/or visit the DOH's National Registry Information webpage and follow the directions for "cognitive assessment examination."

Note: Candidates should contact Seattle Fire Department's EMS Training Coordinator before scheduling an exam.

Step #3: Complete parts one through three of the EMS Certification Application Packet. This incudes:

• Reading the application instructions checklist completely.
• Reading the certification requirements (specifically "If you are applying as a reciprocity applicant").
• Making sure to use the address where you will be living while in recruit school.
• Making sure to use a valid email address that you check on a regular basis.

This is important for any correspondence with the Department of Health. If there is anything missing or incomplete the DOH will contact you.

Note: Per the application instructions, Washington state law authorizes the Department of Health to obtain fingerprint-based background checks for licensing purposes. This check may be through the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). This may be required if you have lived in another state or if you have a criminal record in Washington state. This would be at your own expense. If you are chosen to complete the fingerprint-based background check, the packet will be sent to the address used in your application.

Be sure to read the instructions and complete it in ink. If you have any questions on this application, please call (360) 236-4700 to speak to someone for clarification.

Step #4: Complete the EMS verification form (part four of the application packet). After completing the EMS verification form, send it directly to the state EMS office in which you obtained your EMS credential. DO NOT send it to Washington state. Doing so will delay your Washington state credential from being issued.

You can usually find the address for your previous state office by using the internet or contacting your former agency. The purpose of this form allows the state from where you hold your current certification to disclose your EMS records to Washington state. If you are only National Registry certified, you do not need to complete this part of the application.

Step #5: DO NOT send the documents to the address on the EMS Certification Application Packet.

Bring the following documents with you on your first day of recruit school:

• Original EMS Out-of-State Reciprocity Application completed in ink (step 3).
• Copy of the completion certificate from the HIV/AIDS prevention class (step 2).
• Copy of your current State and/or National Registry EMT card.
• Copy of your EMT-B course completion certificate from your class (if you have it).
• Copy of your picture ID (Note: both the test and the picture must be legible).

If you are asked to mail anything, the address is:

EMS Training Coordinator
9401 Myers Way S
Seattle, WA 98108

Step #6: Complete the EMS supervisor/medical program director signature form (this is the last form in your application packet). You are eligible for certification as an EMT in Washington state once you find agency affiliation. Your next step is to gain agency affiliation with the Seattle Fire Department.

To affiliate with the Seattle Fire Department, complete the form and send it to your agency supervisor, the EMS Training Coordinator. It will be sent to the King County Public Health office for MPD signature, and then to the Washington State Department of Health, who will issue your credential. An EMT-B card will be mailed to you at the address on the application within six weeks time. If there is a problem with your application, the DOH will contact you directly for clarification by letter.

For additional information about EMS in Washington state please see Washington State Department of EMS & Trauma.