Do certificates expire, and how long should I keep them?

A CMES certificate doesn't have an expiry date printed on it — once you've earned it, it's a permanent record that you completed that course on that date. However, most provincial regulators require paramedics to complete new continuing education every year to stay current, so a certificate from three years ago won't count toward this year's requirement even though it's still valid as a historical record.


We'd recommend keeping copies of your certificates for at least five years, since many regulators can request proof of past CE going back that far during an audit. Check your own college/regulator's specific record-keeping requirement to be sure, since this can vary by province.