All newly hired ACPs work in full-time positions and are designated as irregularly scheduled employees.

Irregularly scheduled employees fill staffing needs that cannot be planned in advance, including:

• Short-term absences
• Training assignments
• Continued education activities
• Extended sick leave
• WorkSafeBC (WCB) leave
• Other paid or unpaid employee leaves
  

To become an advanced care paramedic in British Columbia, you must complete ACP training through an accredited education institution.

Several schools throughout British Columbia offer paramedic training  programs. You can find accredited programs on the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board (EMALB) website.

Funding may be available to help cover the cost of ACP training.

The Ministry of Health established the Emergency Medical Assistants Education Fund, a bursary program that supports students enrolled in  eligible emergency medical assistant (EMA) programs accredited and approved by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board.

For current funding information and eligibility requirements, visit the Justice Institute of British Columbia website.

If you already hold a valid ermegency medical assistant licence in another Canadian province or territory, you can get a licence in BC without additional training or work experience.

To become licensed in BC, you must:

• Apply through the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board (EMALB)
• Successfully complete the BC jurisprudence exam
  

If you currently work as an emergency medical technician or paramedic outside British Columbia and want to work in BC, contact the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board (EMALB) to begin the licensing process.

The EMALB website provides information about licensing requirements and application steps.

If you are completing an ACP program in another province, such as Ontario, BCEHS recommends that you:

1. ​Complete your ACP program
2. Write your ACP licensing exam in your home province
3. Obtained your ACP licence
4. Apply to the EMALB for a British Columbia ACP licence
   

In most cases you will need to submit the required documentation and successfully complete the BC jurisprudence exam.

If writing your ACP exam in your home province is not possible, you can complete your program and write the ACP exam in BC. In this situation, the EMALB requires applicants to submit the required documentation and successfully complete comprehensive ACP written and practical examinations.‎

BCEHS supports newly hired advanced care paramedics through the ACP Residency Program.

This program pairs each new ACP with an experienced ACP who:

• Introduces them to BCEHS
• Provides guidance and mentorship
• Supports learning in the field
• Shares knowledge and practical experience
• Helps build confidence through hands-on learning opportunities