Paramedic in Colorado
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CO. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Colorado.
Jobs (CO)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a paramedic in Colorado
To become a certified Paramedic in Colorado, individuals must complete a state-approved Paramedic program and obtain National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Paramedic certification. This involves passing both the NREMT cognitive exam (costing $175) and, prior to July 1, 2024, a psychomotor exam. Applicants then apply for state certification through the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Health Facilities & EMS Division, which also requires a fingerprint-based background check. Colorado utilizes a three-year renewal cycle, requiring 50 hours of continuing education or maintaining NREMT certification.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Colorado. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Colorado requirements
| Licensing body | Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Health Facilities & EMS Division |
| State license | Required |
| Education | State-approved Paramedic program |
| Exam | NREMT Paramedic (Cognitive and Psychomotor) ($175) |
| Application fee | $10 |
| Renewal | Every 3.0 years |
| Continuing education | 50.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | Colorado, a REPLICA member, recognizes EMS providers from other compact states for practice.Reciprocal states: Colorado does not have a direct reciprocity process for EMS providers; all first-time applicants must be NREMT registered. However, Colorado is a member of the EMS Compact (REPLICA), which allows EMS providers with a valid, unrestricted Colorado EMS certification or license to practice in other Compact states, and grants a privilege to practice for EMS providers from other Compact states in Colorado under authorized circumstances. |
| Notes | Minimum age is not explicitly stated for Paramedics by CDPHE, but NREMT certification (a prerequisite) generally requires applicants to be 18 years old. A fingerprint-based criminal history record information search (background check) is required. Renewal requires maintaining NREMT certification or completing 50 hours of continuing education with coverage of mandated topics. CPR/BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is also required. |
Source: Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Health Facilities & EMS Division
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Colorado? See whether Colorado recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Paramedic license reciprocity guide.
work_outline Job outlook
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleColorado license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+5.1%)
Compare Paramedic head-to-head
See all comparisons →Considering a Paramedic vs another career? Side-by-side breakdowns of pay, training time, and licensing.