Paramedic / Colorado
2026 data Colorado board official source

Colorado Paramedic License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides advanced emergency medical care in the field.

What the Colorado data shows for Paramedics

Colorado sets the entry bar for paramedics at 1,881 training hours and a passing score on NREMT Paramedic Exam. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Colorado's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Paramedic Training Program".

Budget $220 to get started, plus $178 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 72 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

For paramedics, the reciprocity picture is: Interstate EMS Compact: 30+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
32/100
Paramedic · Colorado

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,881 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$220
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$89/yr
$178 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
36.0 hrs/yr
72 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Colorado

Education / Training Hours
Paramedic Training Program
1,881 hours
Exam Requirement
NREMT Paramedic Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$220
Renewal Fee
$178
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
72 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Paramedic All Colorado licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Colorado licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Paramedic in Colorado? ▼
Colorado's requirements cover 1881 hours of education or training, the NREMT Paramedic Exam exam, and an initial fee of $220. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Paramedic in Colorado? ▼
Certification as a paramedic in Colorado means clearing the state's checklist: 1881 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Colorado licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Paramedic license to Colorado from another state? ▼
Paramedic licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Interstate EMS Compact: 30+ states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Colorado licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Colorado require a background check for Paramedic licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for paramedic licensing in Colorado. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Paramedic in Colorado? ▼
To stay licensed as a paramedic in Colorado, plan on 72 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $178.

Related Guides

What to do with this paramedic license

Paramedic in Colorado, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a paramedic-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Colorado's paramedic requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Paramedic in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state paramedic license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Colorado's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Colorado overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Colorado licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.