Updated June 2026
California EMS providers must complete approved continuing education every two years to keep their certification or license active. EMTs need 24 CE hours, Advanced EMTs (AEMTs) need 36 CE hours, and Paramedics need 48 CE hours. At least 50% of those hours must be completed in an instructor-based format. The exact number you need depends on your provider level, and EMTs have one additional one-time training requirement covering naloxone, epinephrine, and glucometer use.
CE Solutions (ems-ce.com) is a CAPCE-accredited provider recognized as instructor-based by the California EMS Authority, so every course in the library counts toward California recertification with no extra paperwork.
Key takeaways
- EMT: 24 hours. AEMT: 36 hours. Paramedic: 48 hours. Cycle is two years for every level.
- At least 50% of required CE must be instructor-based.
- EMTs renewing for the first time after July 1, 2019 must complete a one-time naloxone, epinephrine, and glucometer training.
- California does not require you to keep NREMT certification, but if you do, NREMT hour totals are higher.
- EMT and AEMT certification is processed by your Local EMS Agency (LEMSA). Paramedic licensure is handled by the state EMS Authority.
California EMS CE Requirements at a Glance
| Provider Level | Required CE Hours | Renewal Cycle | Processed By |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMT | 24 hours | Every 2 years | Local EMS Agency (LEMSA) |
| Advanced EMT (AEMT) | 36 hours | Every 2 years | Local EMS Agency (LEMSA) |
| Paramedic | 48 hours | Every 2 years | California EMS Authority |
How many CE hours does a California EMT need?
Beyond CE hours, EMTs also complete a skills competency verification form, submit a renewal application, and pay any applicable fees. One important detail trips up new providers: the State of California does not certify or renew EMTs directly. That is handled by your Local EMS Agency (LEMSA), so always confirm final renewal steps with the agency that issued your certification.
Online, self-paced CE makes it easier to hit the 24-hour requirement around shift work, overtime, and department training. Browse California EMT CE packages to get your hours handled.
How many CE hours does a California AEMT need?
AEMT recertification also requires a current CPR card, an Advanced EMT skills competency form, and any additional documentation required by your LEMSA. As with EMTs, at least half of those 36 hours must be instructor-based, and all CE should come from an approved provider whose topics are appropriate for EMS practice.
How many CE hours does a California paramedic need?
Paramedic renewal is a licensure process handled at the state level through the California EMS Authority, not through a LEMSA. Keep copies of every CE certificate and make sure all continuing education falls within your licensure period. For paramedics balancing 24-hour shifts, mandatory overtime, and National Registry recertification, online CE is one of the most practical ways to finish 48 hours on time.
The One-Time Naloxone, Epinephrine, and Glucometer Requirement
This is a one-time requirement, not something you repeat every cycle. Once you have completed and documented the training, you do not need to take it again at future renewals. It is separate from your 24 hours of CE, though many providers complete it alongside their renewal hours.
If you have not completed this training yet, CE Solutions offers it as a short standalone course that satisfies the naloxone, epinephrine, and glucometer documentation requirement in one sitting. Check with your LEMSA if you are unsure whether your prior training is already on file.
Does California require instructor-based EMS CE?
Online courses can satisfy the instructor-based requirement when an instructor is available to answer questions and provide feedback. CE Solutions is recognized as instructor-based by the California EMS Authority, which means its full course library qualifies and you are not stuck tracking down separate live hours to stay compliant.
Does California accept online EMS continuing education?
Online CE is especially useful for EMS professionals working rotating schedules, 24-hour shifts, multiple jobs, or department-mandated training days. Self-paced courses let you complete hours on your own time while still earning completion certificates that your LEMSA will accept.
What if my California EMT certification has lapsed?
The number of CE hours you owe increases the longer your certification has been expired:
| Lapse Period | CE Hours Required | Additional Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 6 months | 24 hours | Skills competency verification |
| 6 to less than 12 months | 36 hours | Skills competency verification, new background check if changing certifying entities |
| 12 months or more | 48 hours | Skills competency verification, new background check, and proof of passing the cognitive and psychomotor exams (or a current EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic credential) |
Apply for reinstatement at a Local EMS Agency, and confirm the exact documents your LEMSA requires before you submit.
California EMS CE vs. NREMT Requirements
California state renewal and National Registry (NREMT) recertification are not the same, and the hour totals differ. If you hold both, your CE plan needs to satisfy both sets of rules.
| Provider Level | California CE Requirement | NREMT CE Requirement (NCCP) |
|---|---|---|
| EMR | Check local/state requirements | 16 hours |
| EMT | 24 hours | 40 hours |
| AEMT | 36 hours | 50 hours |
| Paramedic | 48 hours | 60 hours |
California does not require you to maintain NREMT certification. Many providers keep it anyway for reciprocity with other states, but it is optional for California renewal.
What Counts as Approved EMS Continuing Education in California?
Approved California EMS CE must relate to emergency medical care and be designed to improve a provider's knowledge, clinical skills, or EMS system performance. Common topics include:
- Airway and ventilation
- Cardiology and resuscitation
- Trauma care
- Medical, pediatric, geriatric, and obstetric emergencies
- EMS operations and patient assessment
- Pharmacology and documentation
- Safety, wellness, and provider judgment
California has also added required education around cultural competency, implicit bias, and affirming care for EMS providers. The specifics continue to evolve, so confirm the current required topics and hour counts with your LEMSA or the California EMS Authority. Keep your certificates of completion on file, since CE documentation may be requested during renewal or audit, and some agencies expect you to retain records for up to four years.
California EMS Continuing Education Checklist
- Confirm your provider level: EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic.
- Verify your expiration date.
- Complete the required CE hours for your level (24 / 36 / 48).
- Make sure at least 50% of your CE is instructor-based.
- EMTs: confirm your one-time naloxone, epinephrine, and glucometer training is documented.
- Save every CE completion certificate.
- Complete any required skills competency verification.
- Submit your renewal application to the appropriate agency (LEMSA or state).
- Decide whether you also need to renew National Registry certification.
Why California EMS Providers Choose CE Solutions
CE Solutions helps EMTs, AEMTs, and paramedics finish California recertification online without the usual friction:
- Recognized as instructor-based by the California EMS Authority, so every course qualifies.
- CAPCE-accredited and accepted by every California LEMSA.
- Self-paced, 100% online, accessible from anywhere in California.
- Automatic PDF certificates generated on completion.
- Direct email support with responses within 24 hours.
- Packages sized for the 24, 36, and 48-hour requirements, plus the one-time naloxone, epinephrine, and glucometer course.
Whether you are renewing as an EMT, Advanced EMT, or Paramedic, CE Solutions makes it simple to finish your California EMS continuing education online. Get started at ems-ce.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours does a California EMT need?
California EMTs need 24 hours of approved EMS continuing education, or an approved 24-hour refresher course, for renewal every two years.
How many CE hours does a California AEMT need?
California Advanced EMTs need 36 hours of approved EMS continuing education every two years.
How many CE hours does a California paramedic need?
California paramedics need 48 hours of approved EMS continuing education for license renewal every two years.
What is the one-time epinephrine requirement for California EMTs?
EMTs renewing for the first time after July 1, 2019 must document one-time training in naloxone administration, epinephrine auto-injector use, and glucometer testing. It does not repeat at future renewals.
Can California EMTs take online CE?
Yes. Online EMS CE is accepted when it meets California requirements and comes from an approved provider. Many providers use it because it is flexible and easy to complete around shift work.
Does California require instructor-based CE?
Yes. At least 50% of your required CE hours must be instructor-based. Online courses can qualify when an instructor is available to answer student questions.
Are California EMS CE requirements the same as NREMT requirements?
No. California state renewal and NREMT recertification have different hour totals. Providers who hold both should build a CE plan that satisfies both.
Where can I complete California EMS continuing education online?
California EMTs, AEMTs, and paramedics can complete self-paced online EMS CE through CE Solutions at ems-ce.com.
