To operate as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in South Carolina, you must gain a South Carolina Emergency Medical Technician certification from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). To qualify, you must satisfy the following requirements:

Step 1: Successfully complete all sections of a DHEC-approved EMT course including the didactic, practical, and clinical requirements

Step 2: Successfully complete the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) cognitive (knowledge) and DHEC-approved psychomotor (skills) exams and receive subsequent EMT national certification

Step 3: Create a profile in DHEC’s EMS credentialing system

Step 4: Complete the EMT Certification Application, including upload of current and valid CPR credential, in the EMS credentialing system and submit to DHEC

Step 5: Pass a criminal background check

Note: You must first pass both the NREMT cognitive exam and the DHEC-approved psychomotor exam before beginning Step 3. 

You are required by state law to keep your DHEC-issued EMT certification card on your person at all times when functioning as an EMT. If you lose your card, order a replacement certification card by calling 803-545-4204.