NREMT Requirements

Certification Process

Individuals applying for the Emergency Medical Technician national certification must meet the following requirements:

18 years of age or older
Successful completion of a state-approved Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course that meets or exceeds the National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards for the Emergency Medical Technician.
- Candidates must have completed the course within the past two years and the course Program Director must verify successful course completion on the National Registry website.

Have a current CPR-BLS for "Healthcare Provider" or equivalent credential.
Successful completion of the National Registry cognitive (knowledge) and a state approved psychomotor (skills) exams.
- Passed portions of each exam (cognitive and psychomotor) remain valid for twelve (12) months.

The Cognitive Exam

The National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) cognitive exam is a computer adaptive test (CAT). The number of items a candidate can expect on the EMT exam will range from 70 to 120. Each exam will have between 60 to 110 ‘live’ items that count toward the final score. The exam will also have 10 pilot questions that do not affect the final score. The maximum amount of time given to complete the exam is 2 hours.

The exam will cover the entire spectrum of EMS care including: Airway, Respiration & Ventilation; Cardiology & Resuscitation; Trauma; Medical; Obstetrics/Gynecology; EMS Operations. Items related to patient care are focused on adult and geriatric patients (85%) and pediatric patients (15%). In order to pass the exam, candidates must meet a standard level of competency. The passing standard is defined by the ability to provide safe and effective entry level emergency medical care.

The Psychomotor Exam

Throughout your Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) educational program you must demonstrate competence in a wide range of emergency care skills. Your instructor must attest that you have demonstrated competence in the following skills during your course: patient assessment/management of a trauma patient, patient assessment/management of a medical patient, cardiac arrest management/AED, bag-valve-mask ventilation of an apneic patient, spinal immobilization (both seated and supine patient), long bone fracture immobilization, joint dislocation immobilization, traction splinting, bleeding control/shock management, upper airway adjuncts and suction, mouth-to-mouth ventilation with supplemental oxygen, and supplemental oxygen administration to a breathing patient.

You must also successfully complete a state-approved Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) psychomotor examination. Speak with your instructor or State EMS Office about the format and logistics of completing a state-approved Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) psychomotor exam.

Emergency Medical Technician psychomotor examinations are not administered by the National Registry. All EMT psychomotor exams are administered by either the State EMS Office or at the training institution (with approval and oversight provided by the State EMS Office). EMT course instructors should provide candidates information regarding this examination.

Visit the NREMT website

NREMT Requirements

Certification Process

The Cognitive Exam

The Psychomotor Exam

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