Paramedic / Kentucky
2026 data Kentucky board official source

Kentucky Paramedic License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Provides advanced emergency medical care in the field.

What the Kentucky data shows for Paramedics

Kentucky sets the entry bar for paramedics at 1,416 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 Kentucky's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Paramedic Training Program".

Budget $104 to get started, plus $91 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 72 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Interstate EMS Compact: 30+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
47/100
Paramedic · Kentucky

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
1,416 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$104
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$46/yr
$91 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 Kentucky

Education / Training Hours
Paramedic Training Program
1,416 hours
Exam Requirement
NREMT Paramedic Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$104
Renewal Fee
$91
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 Kentucky licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Kentucky licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Paramedic in Kentucky? ▼
Kentucky requires 1416 education/training hours, passing an exam (NREMT Paramedic Exam), and an initial fee of $104. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Paramedic in Kentucky? ▼
Kentucky licenses paramedics who complete its requirements (1416 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Kentucky licensing board.
Can I transfer my Paramedic license to Kentucky from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for paramedics nationally works like this: Interstate EMS Compact: 30+ states. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Kentucky. Verify the specifics with the Kentucky licensing board.
Does Kentucky require a background check for Paramedic licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the paramedic licensing process in Kentucky. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Paramedic in Kentucky? ▼
To stay licensed as a paramedic in Kentucky, plan on 72 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $91.

Related Guides

What to do with this paramedic license

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

  • See how Kentucky'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 Kentucky's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Kentucky overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Kentucky 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.