Arizona enacts the EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact, which lets EMTs, advanced EMTs and paramedics licensed in another member state work in Arizona (and vice versa) under set conditions, and requires a fingerprint clearance card for certain initial certification applicants under the compact.
Official title: EMS reciprocity; compact.
- September 12, 2026
- On the effective date or on FBI approval: Fingerprint clearance card requirement for initial certification applicants under the compact
- When the compact is enacted in a 10th member state: Compact taking effect; at first limited to the commission's powers to meet and make rules
What changes
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NowArizona must recognize the 'privilege to practice' of EMTs, advanced EMTs and paramedics licensed in another member state whose state meets compact conditions. The person must be at least 18, hold a current unrestricted license, work under a medical director and practice only on EMS duties assigned by an appropriate authority, such as transports crossing state lines or care within the other state.
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NowA person applying for initial certification as an emergency medical care technician under the compact must have a valid Arizona fingerprint clearance card, beginning on the law's effective date or on approval from the FBI.
BeforeRecords from Arizona investigations of emergency medical care technicians were confidential and not open to public inspection or civil discovery; only the results and the department's decision became public after the investigation file was closed.
NowThose records stay confidential, but the state may share information as the compact requires, including licensing data, adverse actions and significant investigative information sent to a shared multistate database.
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NowMember states must treat veterans, active service members and National Guard and reserve members separating from active duty, and their spouses, who hold a current unrestricted national registry (NREMT) certification at or above the level sought, as meeting minimum training and exam requirements, and must expedite their license applications.
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NowA multistate commission, with 1 delegate per member state, may make rules that bind member states and may charge each member state an annual assessment. A remote state may restrict or revoke a person's privilege to practice there, and a person whose home-state license is restricted or suspended may not practice in other member states until it is restored.
Who it affects
- EMTs, advanced EMTs and paramedics licensed in Arizona or other member states
- Veterans, separating service members and their spouses seeking EMS licenses
- People applying for initial emergency medical care technician certification under the compact
- Arizona Department of Health Services and the state's EMS licensing authority
- Department of Public Safety fingerprinting division
What you need to do
Nothing for most people. People applying for initial emergency medical care technician certification under the compact must have a valid fingerprint clearance card once that requirement begins.
What the law doesn't answer
- Whether 10 states have already enacted the compact, so that it is in effect
- How much Arizona would pay in annual assessments to the commission
- Which Arizona official will serve as the state's delegate to the commission
- The fee for the fingerprint clearance card for EMS applicants
- Whether Arizona currently meets all conditions for its licenses to be honored in other member states
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.