Hawaii Emergency Medical Services is the department that is taksed with administering, maintaining, and operating the state’s comprehensive emergency medical services system throughout Hawaii. This is the department you will be dealing with if you want to know how to become an EMT in Hawaii.

Hawaii licenses two levels of EMT in the state: EMT-B & EMT-P (Paramedic).

Note – Paramedics (EMT-P) are also called Mobile Intensive Care Technicians (MICT) in Hawaii. The term seems to be used interchangeably. 

Like most states, Hawaii recognizes the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam and requires passing of the exam before you can apply for an EMT or Paramedic license.

Requirements to Become an EMT in Hawaii

Licensing of EMTs and Paramedics in Hawaii is done by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing.

In general, the requirements to become an EMT in Hawaii are:

• 18 years old or older
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Completion of a Board or State approved course of training that is equivalent to the curriculum established in the Board’s rules
• Evidence of passage of the NREMT EMT-Basic examination
• Certification from the NREMT
• Information regarding any conviction of any crime which has not been annulled or expunged
• If applicable, evidence of any certifications held or once held in other jurisdictions indicating the status of the certification and documenting any disciplinary action

Full details can be found in the Hawaii Courses of Training Document 16-85-54 (1) & 16-85-56 (a)

Requirements to Become a EMT-P (Paramedic) in Hawaii

Paramedic requirements are:

• 18 years old or older
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Completion of a Board or State approved course of training that is equivalent to the curriculum established in the Board’s rules
• Evidence of passage of the National Registry’s EMT-Paramedic examination
• Certification from the NREMT
• Information regarding any conviction of any crime which has not been annulled or expunged
• If applicable, evidence of any certifications held or once held in other jurisdictions indicating the status of the certification and documenting any disciplinary action

Reciprocity for EMTs Licensed in Another State

Hawaii is not reciprocal with any other State or the NREMT.

All applicants for EMT and Paramedic certification must meet the same requirements as above.

EMT Training in Hawaii

EMT training requirements in Hawaii are quite a bit more rigorous than most other states. 

Typically, EMT training courses are required to have 110 to 150 hours of training. Hawaii, however, requires  180 hours of didactic (classroom) training and 135 hours of clinical experience for a total of 315 hours.

In other words, Basic EMTs in Hawaii have more than twice the training hours of most other states and the NREMT guidelines. This accounts for why Hawaii does not recognize EMT licenses from other states for reciprocity.

You can see what subject areas and skills are covered in the EMT-B program by going to: www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/boards/medical/statute_rules
Click on “85 Medical Examiners” and scroll to page 85-26, section 16-85-56 (a).

State Approved EMT-B Training Program

Kapi’olani Community College offers the state-approved EMT-B Training program.

Kapi’olani Community College EMT-B Course
4303 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
808.734.9000

Paramedic Training in Hawaii

Paramedic (MICT) training in Hawaii consist of 400 hours of didactic (classroom) training and 815 hours of clinical experience for a total of 1215 hours.

You can see full details of the Paramedic training program by going to: www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/boards/medical/statute_rules
Click on “85 Medical Examiners” and scroll to page 85-27, section 16-85-56 (b).

State Approved ParamedicTraining Program

Kapi’olani Community College offers the state-approved MICT Training program for Paramedics (EMT-P) in Hawaii.

Kapi’olani Community College MICT Course
4303 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
808.734.9000

EMT Applicants with Criminal Convictions

Here’s what Hawaii has to say about applicants with criminal convictions:

The State or any of its branches, political subdivisions, or agencies may consider as a justification for the refusal, suspension, or revocation of any employment or of any permit, license, registration, or certificate, any conviction of any crime, except those which have been expunged, occurring within the past ten years, excluding any period of incarceration, when that crime bears a rational relationship to the duties and responsibilities of the job, occupation, trade, vocation, profession, or business for which a permit, license, registration, or certificate is applied for or held.

Refusal, suspension, or revocation may occur only when the agency determines that the person so convicted has not been sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust.

So if you want to become an EMT in Hawaii and you have criminal convictions the licensing board may request the following documentation in order to make a decision in your case:

1. Copies of any court records, orders, or other documents that state the facts and statutes upon which the applicant was convicted, the verdict of the court with regard to that conviction, the sentence imposed, and the actual terms of the sentence; and
2. Affidavits from any parole officer, employer, other physicians, or other persons who can attest to a firm belief that the applicant has been sufficiently rehabilitated to practice.
3. Any documents requested within thirty days of the request.

See Hawaii Administrative Rules 16-85-121 (pdf) and Hawaii’s Uniform Act On Status Of Convicted Persons 8 31-3.1 (pdf)

EMT Jobs in Hawaii

Check the job board to find EMT jobs in your area.

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Resources

State of Hawaii
Department of Health
Emergency Medical Services & Injury Prevention System Branch
3675 Kilauea Avenue
Trotter Building, Basement Level
Honolulu, HI 96816 USA
Voice: +1 (808) 733-9210
Administration Fax: +1 (808) 733-9216
E-mail: emsipsb@doh.hawaii.gov

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs 
Professional and Vocational Licensing Division
Attn: BME
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801
Voice: +1 (808) 586-2708
medical@dcca.hawaii.gov

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians

Hawaii EMT-B & EMT-P FAQ (pdf)

Hawaii Courses of Training Document

Kapi’olani Community College EMT-B Course

Kapi’olani Community College MICT Course

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