How to renew your Texas paramedic certification
Texas paramedic certification renews every four years through DSHS for $96 (EMT-P) or $126 (Licensed Paramedic). Renew via current NREMT registration, 144 CE hours, a 96-hour recertification course, an exam, or an approved CCMP — plus the mandatory Texas EMS Jurisprudence Exam each cycle.
How to renew your Texas paramedic certification
- Cycle
- 4 years — renewable within the final 12 months
- Fee
- $96 EMT-P · $126 Licensed Paramedic
- CE (Option 2)
- 144 hours — 108 in mandated content areas + 36 any category
- Every path
- Texas EMS Jurisprudence Exam before applying
- Board
- Texas DSHS EMS
- Complete the Texas EMS Jurisprudence ExamRequired each cycle before you can submit any renewal option.
- Confirm your renewal pathCurrent NREMT registration is the shortest path — it substitutes for all Texas CE. Otherwise choose 144 CE hours, a 96-hour recert course, the NREMT assessment exam, or CCMP.
- Log in to DSHS Online LicensingGo to vo.ras.dshs.state.tx.us. The 'Time to Renew' option appears in the final 12 months of your cycle.
- Complete the applicationReport only new criminal or disciplinary history since your last renewal.
- Pay the fee$96 EMT-P · $126 Licensed Paramedic.
- Save your new certification to TrustStore the DSHS confirmation and updated credential in Trust.
Requirements
Five renewal options:
- National Registry: current NREMT substitutes for all Texas CE (list your NR number).
- CE — 144 hours: Medical 36, Preparatory 12, Airway 12, Trauma 12, Special considerations 12, Pediatric 12, Patient assessment 8, Clinical operations 4, plus 36 any category. Attest, don't submit; keep records 5 years.
- Formal 96-hour recertification course.
- NREMT assessment exam (≥70%). Warning: choose exam and fail, and you can't switch options — only retake.
- CCMP: six or more continuous months enrolled, with medical director attestation.
EMT-P vs. LP: same scope. Licensed Paramedic requires an EMS associate degree or any bachelor's. Renewal differs only by fee.
Fingerprints: initial-only. DSHS unsubscribes your DPS record one year after expiration.
How to renew, step by step
- 01Complete the Texas EMS Jurisprudence ExamRequired each cycle before you can submit any renewal option.
- 02Confirm your renewal pathCurrent NREMT registration is the shortest path — it substitutes for all Texas CE. Otherwise choose 144 CE hours, a 96-hour recert course, the NREMT assessment exam, or CCMP.
- 03Log in to DSHS Online LicensingGo to vo.ras.dshs.state.tx.us. The 'Time to Renew' option appears in the final 12 months of your cycle.
- 04Complete the applicationReport only new criminal or disciplinary history since your last renewal.
- 05Pay the fee$96 EMT-P · $126 Licensed Paramedic.
- 06Save your new certification to TrustStore the DSHS confirmation and updated credential in Trust.
If you're late
Expired ≤90 days: any renewal option plus a late skills verification form. Fees: $141 EMT-P / $186 LP.
Expired 91 days–1 year: same, at $186 / $246.
Expired >1 year — the wall: renewal is impossible. Initial certification or equivalency from scratch — coursework verification, NREMT exam, new fingerprints.
Inactive status ($30) is available up to 1 year post-expiration. It parks the credential for up to 4 years; return requires CE plus the NREMT assessment exam — far better than expiring past the wall.
Frequently asked questions
- Does current NREMT replace Texas CE?
- Yes — list your NR number on the application and NREMT substitutes for the 144-hour CE requirement. You still owe the Texas EMS Jurisprudence Exam.
- How long can I renew after expiring?
- Up to 1 year with late fees. Past that, renewal is impossible — you'd start over with initial certification or an equivalency review.
- Do I submit CE certificates?
- No — attest on the application. Keep certificates for 5 years in case of audit.
- EMT-P vs. Licensed Paramedic at renewal?
- Same scope of practice. The Licensed Paramedic (LP) requires an EMS associate degree or any bachelor's degree on top of paramedic certification. At renewal, only the fee differs: $96 vs. $126.
Last verified against Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) sources:
Trust tracks this renewal for you.
Trust reminds you well before your 4-year Texas cycle ends and files the Jurisprudence Exam certificate with your credential.
Keep exploring renewals
Adjacent boards, specialties, and states most often renewed alongside Texas paramedic renewal.