First Responder Licensing

In British Columbia, you must hold a valid licence to practice as a first responder.

Applying for an Initial First Responder Licence

A first responder licence is valid for three years. There are no fees required for a first responder licence.

To apply for your licence, follow these steps:

1. Successfully complete a recognized training program and the Board exams.
2. Once training and practical exams are complete, your evaluator submits your program certificate, and course results including the practical exam answer sheets to getanexam@gov.bc.ca.
3. Complete and electronically submit an Application for Licence form.
4. Successfully complete the EMA Licensing Board online EMA FR written exam and online jurisprudence exam (instructions for applying below).
5. Undergo a criminal record check within 12 months of the licence application

First Responder Licence Renewals

First responder licences are valid for three years and must be renewed before it expires.

1. Successfully complete the EMA Licensing Board online EMA FR written exam.
   • A licensee has 3 attempts to successfully complete online written exam.
     • If an EMA FR did not successfully complete the online exam in the three attempts provided, the licensee must then successfully complete an EMA FR recognized training program and the Board approved exams to renew their licence.
2. Complete and electronically submit an application for licence renewal form.

Applying for an Online Examination

1. How to obtain a BCeID

• A BCeID is required to access the online exam system. If you do not already have a BCeID, click on the link and register for a Basic BCeID. Please use only lowercase characters in your BCeID username. (If you already have a BCeID and password you may skip this step.)

2. How to Request your exam

• Once you have obtained your BCeID, you need to Request Access to the exam system by logging in using your BCeID, and creating an account for the exam system.
  • To create an account, please fill out the account form on the right-hand side of the screen and submit. A request for access will then be emailed to the branch for review and a copy will be sent to you for your records.

The exam coordinator will review your information and grant you access to the exam within two weeks of the request.

Reinstating an Expired Licence

If your licence has expired, you are no longer licensed to practice as an emergency medical assistant in British Columbia. You may be reinstated if it would not be an undue risk to public health or safety. For information on how to have your licence reinstated, please see the Licence Reinstatement policy.

Reinstating a Licence that has been Revoked by the Board

If your licence has been revoked by the board, you are no longer licensed to practice as an emergency medical assistant in British Columbia. You may be reinstated if it would not be an undue risk to public health or safety. For information on how to have your licence reinstated, please see the policy Revoked Licence - Reapplication.

Extensions

Please note: As per the regulations, an EMA FR licence may not be extended for the purpose of completing re-certification training.

The licensing board may, prior to the date that an EMA's licence expires, extend the EMA's licence for a period not longer than 60 days, if satisfied that special circumstances exist such that the EMA will be unable, before the licence expires, to complete any requirement necessary for the renewal of the EMA's licence.

You may apply for a 60-day extension of your licence if:

• Special circumstances exist, and
• You make a request before licence expires.

To request an extension, submit the  Request for Licence Extension form.