Certification and patient care standards
Learn about the certification, training, and examination process applicants must meet to become a certified paramedic in Ontario.
Overview
The Certification and Patient Care Standards (CPCS) of Emergency Health Services of the Ministry of Health is responsible for the Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistants (AEMCA), Advanced Care Paramedics (ACP) and Aeromedical examinations.
In addition, CPCS monitors changes in pre-hospital emergency patient care practices and equipment, maintains paramedic practice standards, and develops training bulletins and other reference materials that direct paramedic practice.
In addition, the ministry monitors changes in pre-hospital emergency patient care practices and equipment, maintains paramedic practice standards, and develops training bulletins and other reference materials that direct paramedic practice.
Requirements for paramedic practice
In Ontario, to be considered a paramedic who can perform controlled acts and other advanced medical procedures, an individual must:
- have the appropriate certificate from the Ministry of Health
- be employed by a certified ambulance service
- be authorized by the medical director of an Ontario regional base hospital program
Training
There are 3 levels of a paramedic in Ontario
- Primary Care Paramedic (PCP)
- Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP)
- Critical Care Paramedic (CCP)
Specific controlled acts for the various levels of paramedics are listed in the Schedules of Ontario Regulation 257/00 as made under the Ambulance Act.
The Ministry of Colleges and Universities sets the program standards for PCP and ACP paramedic training programs. A list of approved colleges and training institutions that offer PCP and ACP training programs can be found on the paramedic training programs page. Please contact the training institution directly to obtain information on admission and program requirements.
Aerophysiology (flight paramedic training program) and CCP training is offered by Ornge. Please contact Ornge directly for more information on admission and program requirements for these programs.
ACP paramedic training programs must meet the requirements outlined in the ACP Training Program Submission and Approval Process document for Emergency Health Regulatory and Accountability Branch, Director approval.
Training outside of Ontario
If you have received paramedic training or other medical training outside of Ontario and wish to become a paramedic in Ontario, please see the information on the labour mobility and equivalency in Ontario.
Entry-to-practice examinations
If you have successfully completed a PCP, ACP or Aerophysiology training program from an approved college or training institution in Ontario, you may be eligible to apply to the applicable entry-to-practice examination.
The Prehospital Emergency Care Syllabus provides a synopsis of the theory base and the performance skills from which entry-to-practice PCP candidates are evaluated on the provincial AEMCA examination.
You can only apply to the ACP , Aeromedical and CCP examinations if you already hold an AEMCA certificate. Visit exam dates and application packages for examinations.
The CCP examination is offered through Ornge.
Certificate copies
A replacement of your original certificate can be obtained for a fee. Please note that the name that appears on your certificate will be exactly as you had recorded it when you originally applied to the exam. Should you require a name change, please specify this in writing with your request and provide a copy of official documentation (for example, a marriage license) to support the change in name.
AEMCA or Emergency Medical Care Assistant (EMCA) Certificate - $60.00 original
ACP Certificate - $25.00 original
Aeromedical Certificate - $25.00 original
Please make your request in writing and include a certified cheque or money order payable to the Minister of Finance and include your current contact information. Please forward your request and administration fee to CPCS.
Employment
Individuals should refer to the qualifications listed in Ontario Regulation 257/00 Part III 6-8 to be employed in Ontario as a paramedic. Certified ambulance services in Ontario are regulated by Ministry of Health under the authority of the Ambulance Act and its regulations. All applications for employment should be made directly to the services in which you are interested.
For paramedics or other healthcare professionals, who obtained their training outside of Ontario, and are looking for employment, please see the information on the labour mobility and equivalency in Ontario.
How to return to practice in Ontario
Ministry of Health issued AEMCA, ACP and Aeromedical certificates do not expire, however, there are requirements for certification maintenance with respect to employment and base hospital certification to be recognized as a PCP, ACP or flight paramedic in Ontario.
Appendix 6 – Certification Standard of the Advanced Life Support Patient Care Standards lists the requirements and processes related to base hospital certification.
Individuals should refer to the qualifications listed in Ontario Regulation 257/00 Part III 6-8 to be employed in Ontario as a paramedic, as well as reviewing current patient care standards that have been released since you graduated from your paramedic training program and/or discontinued practice.
Contact us
For additional information please contact us by:
- mail:
Ministry of Health, Emergency Health Services
Certification and Patient Care Standards
5700 Yonge Street, 6th Floor
Toronto ON M2M 4K5 - phone:
416-327-7900 - fax:
416-327-7911 - email: CertificationExams@ontario.ca