EMS Licensure
This page is designed to assist Region VII EMS providers with LICENSURE and RENEWAL.
IDPH License Look Up
IDPH has an online EMS license verification site that may be accessed by anyone to verify individual provider and ambulance EMS licenses: IDPH online EMS license verification link
IDPH Website for Resources
The IDPH WEBSITE must be used to access IDPH information and forms for licensing and renewals. IDPH will not accept old forms so be sure you are using the most current forms from this site.
As of April 1st, 2020 Illinois no longer offers a state licensing exam for EMT/paramedic. Students must successfully complete the national registry exam: NREMT.ORG.
IDPH created this NREMT to IL License Flow Chart to outline the difference between a Nationally Registered out-of-state applicant applying for reciprocity vs a recent EMT/Paramedic class graduate that just passed the NR exam. Please read the additional information below as this flow chart does not contain Region/System specific requirements.
If you successfully completed the National Registry exam remember you still have to file paperwork with the System that trained you and pay for your Illinois EMT or PARAMEDIC license before your Illinois license can be processed and before you can begin working as such. A NR certificate is not a license to work in Illinois. YOU MUST POSSESS AN ILLINOIS EMT OR PARAMEDIC LICENSE TO WORK AS AN EMT OR PARAMEDIC IN ILLINOIS.
STUDENTS THAT HAVE COMPLETED A PARAMEDIC CLASS must successfully complete the National Registry “NR” exam before applying for an Illinois license. National Registry (NR) ALLOWED DURING COVID ONLY (expired 6/30/21) a paramedic graduate to receive a “Provisional NR Certificate” by completing the NR cognitive exam only. After 7/1/21 a paramedic graduate will receive a NR Paramedic Certificate, ONLY when BOTH the NR cognitive and NR psychomotor exams are successfully completed. Once a student passes both NR exams and receives their NR certificate via email, they must still complete the additional steps outlined below under “PARAMEDIC and EMT GRADUATES INITIAL LICENSURE VIA NR EXAM” to become licensed in Illinois. ONLY THE SYSTEM THAT TRAINS YOU MAY LICENSE YOU! Upon completion of the steps below, the paramedic student will receive an IDPH PARAMEDIC license just like any other IDPH Paramedic license. If a student that received a Provisional NR Certificate wishes to obtain a full NR certification (so they may use it for moving out of state), they must complete a NR psychomotor exam through National Registry before 12/31/2021. Whether the student decides to complete the NR psychomotor exam has no baring on the Illinois license once the Illinois license is issued. These are 2 separate entities. It is not required to keep/continue a NR certification to maintain an Illinois license.
Paramedic and EMT Graduates Initial Licensure via NR Exam
1. Once you have successfully completed the National Registry Exam, you must submit the 5 > items below to your program’s EMS System to apply for an Illinois license:
> IDPH T-CARD ILLINOIS LICENSE APPLICATION
> IDPH Personal History Statement/Renewal Notice Form
> Copy of NREMT Certificate
> Copy of current BLS Healthcare Provider CPR Card
> Copy of Driver’s License (application must be full legal name and match the name on the Driver’s License
2. Email the above 5 items to your course’s System office, for electronic submittal to IDPH, whereas IDPH then emails the student his or her unique PIN to pay their license fee online at the IDPH portal. Once the student has the IDPH email with PIN and instructions for payment click here: IDPH Fee Payment to pay your fee. Once the student pays the fee online, wait about 10 minutes then click on the “IDPH LICENSE LOOK-UP” link on the top of this page to view that the IDPH license now says “Paramedic” instead of EMT.
The LICENSURE FEES listed are based on the level of licensure you are applying for.
3. The last step to start working (once you are IDPH licensed) is to test into an EMS System. Graduates are not automatically enrolled into the System and must complete the System entry process for the System they will be working in. Contact your fire department or ambulance service EMS Coordinator to start the System entry process.
| IDPH Initial License Fee | IDPH License Renewal Fee | |
| EMT | $45 | $20 |
| AEMT/EMT-I | $45 | $30 |
| Paramedic | $60 | $40 |
| EMR (FR) | $55 | $20 |
| EMD | $30 | $20 |
| ECRN | $55 | $20 |
| PHRN | $30 | $20 |
Initial Licensure via System EMR / EMD / PHRN Course
If you successfully completed an IDPH approved, System taught EMR, EMD or PHRN course and want an Illinois license, you will need to follow the instructions given to you at the end of your class by your Lead Instructor. ECRN applicants please see the ECRN page for details.
1. The EMS System processes all EMR, EMD, and PHRN licensures for the System and will need, at a minimum, the following…
> Completed licensure paperwork filled out in class, which may include:
> IDPH Personal History Statement/Renewal Notice Blank Form
> IDPH T-CARD ILLINOIS LICENSE APPLICATION
> Copy of current BLS CPR Card
2. Email the above 4 items to your course’s System office, for electronic submittal to IDPH, whereas IDPH then emails the student his or her unique PIN to pay their license fee online at the IDPH portal. Once the student has the IDPH email with PIN and instructions for payment click here: IDPH Fee Payment to pay your fee. Once the student pays the fee online, wait about 10 minutes then click on the “IDPH LICENSE LOOK-UP” link on the top of this page to view the license.
The LICENSURE FEES listed are based on the level of licensure you are applying for.
3. The last step to start working is to test into an EMS System. Graduates are not automatically enrolled into the System and must complete the System entry process for the System they will be working in. Contact your employer (hospital, dispatch center, fire department or ambulance service) EMS Coordinator to start the System entry process.
License Renewal
Region VII adopted the State’s minimum required hours for CE May 31, 2014. Not every System did. Required hours were reduced from 120 hours to the following:
– A miminum of 100 hours every 4 years for Paramedic and PHRN
– A minimum of 80 hours every 4 years for EMT-I (AEMT)
– A minimum of 60 hours every 4 years for EMT-B (EMT)
Important facts to remember when it comes to relicensure:
1. ALWAYS ensure your EMS System has your current mailing address and email.
2. ALWAYS keep copies of your CE for your own records. (As it is ultimately your responsibility.)
3. ALWAYS obtain details of classes, such as topics covered, IDPH site codes and signatures.
4. NEVER wait till the last minute. Check your CE and track your hours throughout the 4 years.
5. IDPH mails out RENEWAL NOTICES with a PIN number 60-90 days prior to renewal. If you do NOT receive this notice, email your EMS System for a copy.
6. Pay your license fee online at the IDPH WEBSITE to avoid delays caused by mailing in check payments
7. When renewing online with IDPH you will be asked to enter YOUR PRIMARY EMS SYSTEM’S “System Number Code”. Click here for a list of every System’s 4-digit System number: Illinois EMS System Numbers. If asked for your TNS training hospital only fill this out if you’re a Trauma Nurse.
8. Complete the Child Support and Felony conviction statements. Anyone convicted of a felony or delinquent on child support may not be able to complete their renewal online and may need to contact IDPH as directed.
Name Change:
Your IDPH license is a legal document and should match your legal name on your driver’s license. An individual can change their name with IDPH by emailing their EMS System a copy of their marriage license, divorce decree (front page and name change page only), or court order. The System files the appropriate paperwork with IDPH. It costs nothing to change your name unless you want a duplicate license mailed out. See “Duplicate License Request”.
Duplicate License Request
A duplicate license request may be necessary if your license has been lost or stolen or for a name change. The $10 is only necessary if the individual needs a new copy of their license now. A duplicate license may be requested through this IDPH website link.
Reciprocity
If an individual has an EMT/Paramedic license from NREMT or out of State, they may apply for reciprocity to obtain an Illinois license. IDPH handles all reciprocity applications directly. Reciprocity applications may be printed from this IDPH website link.
Vehicle Licenses
The on-line fee payment system allows for vehicle service provider agencies to utilize a credit card to pay for vehicle and ambulance provider license renewal fees. Vehicle service providers will be able to log onto the IDPH website (click pay vehicle fee in the upper right) and select the vehicle(s) that are due for renewal and pay the fee(s) for the vehicle(s) needing renewal. Vehicle inspections will still have to be completed and entered into the EMS Licensing System for the renewal of the license(s) to be complete and print. NEW or REPLACEMENT vehicles cannot be paid via the on-line system. You may also use this site to look-up vehicle licenses.
OtherIDPH Forms on the IDPH Website
IDPH Extension Request Application – Used for a one-time 6 month license extension
IDPH Inactive Request – Used to place license on temporary Inactive status
IDPH Reactivation Request – Only used if license has expired 3-36 months & seeking to reactivate.
IDPH EMS License Fee Waiver Application – EMS System Coordinators may request a waiver of the licensing fee for individual EMT’s and First Responders who serve exclusively as a volunteer for units of local government or not-for-profit organizations that serve a service area with a population base of less than 5,000.
Independent Providers (not actively with an EMS System) may access renewal information at:
IDPH Independent Renewal Application for INDEPENDENTS
For more information as an Independent contact IDPH at 217-785-2080 to obtain your IDPH Regional Coordinator’s contact information.