Licensing guide · British Columbia

How to Become a First Responder in British Columbia

Last checked 1 source checked

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

You must be registered with the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board to work as a first responder in British Columbia or to use a protected title.

Protected titles
first responder
Show the source
“In British Columbia, you must hold a valid licence to practice as a first responder.”

From www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/par..., checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Licence required See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 5 steps without a listed fee

  1. Successfully complete a recognized training program and the Board exams.

    Source
    “Successfully complete a recognized training program and the Board exams.”
    www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/par...

  2. Once training and practical exams are complete, your evaluator submits your program certificate and course results including the practical exam answer sheets to the board by email.

    Source
    “Once training and practical exams are complete, your evaluator submits your program certificate, andcourse results including the practical exam answer sheets to [email protected].”
    www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/par...

  3. Complete and electronically submit an Application for Licence form.

    Source
    “Complete and electronically submit an Application for Licence form.”
    www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/par...

  4. Successfully complete the EMA Licensing Board online EMA FR written exam and online jurisprudence exam.

    Source
    “Successfully complete the EMA Licensing Board online EMA FR written exam and online jurisprudence exam (instructions for applying below).”
    www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/par...

  5. Undergo a criminal record check.

    Source
    “Undergo a criminal record check.”
    www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/par...

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board

5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

Police check

Other

Already licensed in another province?

Not stated

The pages do not state how someone already licensed in another Canadian province or territory can register in British Columbia.

Source
“In British Columbia, you must hold a valid licence to practice as a first responder.”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/par...

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board

Demand and pay

No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.

First responders in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 0 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

  • Alberta Not confirmed yet
  • Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
  • Manitoba Not confirmed yet
  • Ontario Not confirmed yet
  • Quebec Not confirmed yet
  • New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
  • Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
  • Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
  • Yukon Not confirmed yet
  • Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
  • Nunavut Not confirmed yet

Compare first responder licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. First Responder Licensing - Province of British Columbia www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/par... · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a first responder in British Columbia?

Yes. Registration with the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board is required to practise in British Columbia, and to use the title first responder.

Which exams are required?

EMA FR written exam, jurisprudence exam, practical exam.

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