Legal Recognition (Reciprocity) for N.C. EMS Credentials

People who currently hold an EMS credential from another state or with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) may be issued a North Carolina EMS credential through legal recognition. People seeking legal recognition must reside in North Carolina; or, attend an EMS educational program in North Carolina; or, work for a licensed North Carolina EMS provider. A North Carolina Credentialing Information System (CIS) profile must be established prior to making application.

Please complete the tutorial on creating a CIS profile.

Then create a personal CIS profile

personal CIS Profile

After you have created your profile, you must log in and submit a request for legal recognition. Select from the drop down menu under "Profile" on the left.

Legal Recognition

The applicant must also mail the following information to the N.C. Office of EMS:

  1. A legible photocopy of your current state and/or national registry pocket identification card showing the level of certification, a certification number, and the expiration date of the certification.
  2. An official school issued transcript and an outline or syllabus of the course(s) which shows the number of didactic and clinical training hours.
  3. Proof of established residence in North Carolina (i.e. copy of drivers license), or a signed letter from a licensed North Carolina EMS provider (on official agency letterhead) showing affiliation with the agency, or a letter from an approved EMS educational institution showing current enrollment in an EMS educational program.

Mail this information to:
North Carolina Office of EMS
Attn: Education Section (Legal Recognition)
2707 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2707

Due to the variations of EMT-Intermediate educational programs among states, applicants seeking legal recognition as an EMT-Intermediate may be required to provide additional information about the educational program they attended.

If you have not been a North Carolina resident for greater than five years, you may be required to complete a Federal Background Check. After approval of your credential and educational information, a packet with detailed instructions will be sent by certified mail.

After all information is received, an applicant eligible for legal recognition will be issued an equivalent North Carolina credential with an expiration date that matches the state or National Registry credential used to obtain legal recognition. This will not to exceed four years.

Allow a minimum of 60 days to complete this process

Please call Alesia Hester at 919-855-3956 or Gloria Currie at 919-855-3944 with any questions.
NC Office of Emergency Medical Services