The Texas Department of State Health Services (Department) reviews an applicant’s and/or certified/licensed EMS personnel criminal background to determine eligibility for EMS certification.  Certain offenses will prevent an individual from receiving an EMS certification in Texas or result in the revocation of an EMS certificate or license. 

Any person that has been convicted of, placed on deferred adjudication community supervision, or deferred disposition for any of the criminal offenses listed on the TDSHS website (https://www.dshs.texas.gov/emstraumasystems/qicriminal.shtm ) are NOT qualified to obtain or maintain an EMS certification.

To obtain a determination of certification eligibility based on a criminal background history a petitioner should submit a fully completed Department Petition for EMS Criminal History Pre-Screening form for EMS personnel along with the required fee and completion of a Texas Fingerprint Service Code based background check. The Petition for EMS Criminal History Pre-Screening form and the Texas Fingerprint Service Code form are available at www.dshs.state.tx.us/emstraumasystems/formsresources.shtm. Most evaluations are completed within three to six months.

Questions regarding the criminal history review process should be directed to TDSHS criminal background investigators at (512) 834-6700.  

*Although not designed to transfer, this AAS program leads to an online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree with participating universities. See an academic advisor for more information about the BAAS.