EMT-Basic
Contents:
Entry Requirements
Application Process
Certification Process
Cognitive Examination
Cognitive Exam Retest Information
Psychomotor Examination
Expiration Date
Lapsed Certification
ADA Compliancy
Disciplinary Policy and Rights of Appeal
Responsibilities of Certified EMT-Basic
EMT-Basic Recertification
Inactive Status
Entry Requirements
Individuals applying for EMT-Basic certification must meet the following requirements:
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18 years of age or older.
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Successful completion of a state-approved EMT-Basic course that meets or exceeds the U.S. Department of Transportation EMT-Basic National Standard Curriculum. You must have completed the course within the past two years. Your Program Director must verify your successful completion of the course on the NREMT web site.
If your initial EMT-Basic educational program was completed more than two years ago and you have maintained state licensure at the EMT level, you must submit documentation verifying completion of an EMT-Basic refresher training program within the past two years. If your initial EMT-Basic education program was completed more than two years ago and you never gained state licensure at the EMT-Basic level, you must complete an entire state-approved EMT-Basic course prior to applying for certification. -
Verification from the Program Director that you hold a current CPR credential for health care providers and have demonstrated competence in EMT-Basic skills.
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Successful completion of a state-approved EMT-Basic psychomotor exam.
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Create a login on this website.
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Complete a National Registry online application including truthfully completing the Licensing Action and Felony statements. click here for more information on the NREMT Felony Policy. The NREMT may deny certification or take other appropriate actions in regards to applicants for certification or recertification when a felony conviction has occurred.
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Pay the application fee of $70.00 (US funds). The application fee is non-transferable and non-refundable. This fee is charged for each attempt of the cognitive examination.
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You will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) once you are eligible for the exam. The ATT letter contains scheduling instructions and important details concerning proper identification required at testing centers.
Certification Process
National EMT-Basic certification requires successful completion of both a cognitive and psychomotor exam. Passed portions of the exam (both cognitive and psychomotor)
remain valid for a twelve (12) month period.
Cognitive Examination
The NREMT EMT-Basic cognitive exam is a computer adaptive test (CAT). The number of items a candidate can expect on the EMT-Basic exam will range from 70 to 120. 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 and Breathing, Cardiology, Trauma, Medical, Obstetrics and Pediatrics, and EMS Operations. In order to pass
the exam, you 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.
Cognitive Exam Retest Information
In the event you are unsuccessful passing the cognitive exam, the NREMT will provide feedback on your performance. You may apply to retest 15 days after your last
examination.
Candidates are given six opportunities to pass the cognitive examination provided all other requirements for National EMS Certification are met. After three attempts, candidates
must submit official documentation verifying completion of 24 hours of remedial training. The candidate is given three additional attempts to pass, provided all other
requirements for National Certification are met. Candidates who fail to pass after a total of six attempts are required to repeat the entire EMT-Basic course.
Psychomotor Examination
Throughout your EMT-Basic 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 EMT-Basic psychomotor examination. Speak with your instructor or State EMS Office about the format and logistics of
completing a state-approved EMT-Basic psychomotor exam.
Expiration Date
Initial expiration dates are determined by the date of successful completion of the entire certification process. Individuals successfully completing the certification process
between the dates of January 1 - June 30 will receive an expiration date of March 31 two years in the future. Individuals successfully completing the certification process
between July 1 and December 31 will receive an expiration date of March 31 three years in the future.
For example: successful completion of February 14, 2009, certification expiration = March 31, 2011
successful completion of July 7, 2009, certification expiration = March 31, 2012
All subsequent certification periods will be for a two-year period (April 1 - March 31).
Lapsed Certification
If your National EMS Certification lapsed as an EMT-Basic within a two year period or you are currently state licensed as an EMT-Basic, you can obtain National EMS
Certification by completing a state-approved Refresher course and successfully completing the cognitive and psychomotor examinations. If your EMS certification expired more
than two years ago, you must complete an entire state-approved EMT-Basic course and complete the cognitive and psychomotor examinations.
The EMT-Basic refresher course can be completed through two different options:
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Traditional refresher course - an approved DOT National Standard EMT-Basic Refresher
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Continuing education topical hours* - refresher may be completed by continuing education and must include the topics and hours listed below:
| Topics | Hours Required |
| Preparatory | 1 hour |
| Airway | 2 hours |
| OB, Infants, Children | 2 hours |
| Patient Assessment | 3 hours |
| Medical/Behavior | 4 hours |
| Trauma | 4 hours |
| Elective | 8 hour |
| Total | 24 hours |
* Some states require the traditional refresher course and will not accept continuing education hours. Please refer to your state’s particular requirements.
** A maximum number of 10 hours CECBEMS approved Distrubutive Education can be applied to refresher education.
ADA Compliancy
The NREMT complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and offers reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Pearson VUE test centers
are also ADA compliant.
Complete information about the NREMT Accommodations Disability Policy can be found here.
Disciplinary Policy and Rights of Appeal
The NREMT has disciplinary procedures, rights of appeal and due process within its policies. Complete information about the NREMT Disciplinary Policy and Rights of Appeal can
be found here. Requests to appeal must be submitted within forty-five (45) days of receipt of notice of determination.
Download a Certification Brochure.
Responsibilities of Certified EMT-Basic
Certified EMT-Basics must notify the NREMT within 30 days regarding the following matters:
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change in mailing address.
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any felony conviction.
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disciplinary action taken by any state has resulted in suspension, revocation, or expiration of state registration/licensure; termination of right to practice; voluntary surrender of state registration/licensure while under investigation.
The NREMT considers the individual to be solely responsible for their certification.
EMT-Basic Recertification
In applying for recertification, certified EMS professionals agree to comply with all recertification requirements, rules and standards of the National Registry of Emergency
Medical Technicians (NREMT). The recertification applicant bears the burden of demonstrating and maintaining compliance at all times.
To Apply For Recertification You Must:
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Be actively working within an emergency medical service, rescue service, or patient health care facility using your EMT-Basic skills.
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Complete all educational requirements prior to March 31.
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Complete the recertification report in its entirety and submit the completed report prior to March 31.
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Demonstrate continued cognitive (knowledge) competency through continuing education or examination.
Continuing Education Option
Complete a total of 72 hours of education including:
Completion of an approved 24 hour DOT National Standard EMT-Basic Refresher
Completion of 48 hours of additional continuing EMS related education as outlined below
Pay the $15.00 (US funds only) recertification application fee at the time of submission of documentation
Exam Option
Certified EMS professionals may make one attempt to demonstrate continued cognitive competency by taking an examination (in lieu of documenting continuing education) within six months of their expiration date (October 1 through March 31).
Log in to the NREMT website and complete an application for recertification by examination.
Pay the $70 examination fee prior to scheduling the exam.
Detailed Continuing Education Requirements
Complete an approved EMT-Basic Refresher
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Traditional refresher course - an approved DOT National Standard EMT-Basic Refresher
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Continuing education topical hours* - refresher may be completed by continuing education and must include the topics and hours listed below:
Additional EMS Related Continuing Education-48 hours
The EMT-Basic refresher course can be completed through two different options:
Topics Hours Required Preparatory 1 hour Airway 2 hours OB, Infants, Children 2 hours Patient Assessment 3 hours Medical/Behavior 4 hours Trauma 4 hours Elective 8 hour Total 24 hours * Some states require the traditional refresher course and will not accept continuing education hours. Please refer to your state’s particular requirements.
** A maximum number of 10 hours CECBEMS approved Distrubutive Education can be applied to refresher education.
The following are maximum hours per course that can be applied towards Additional Continuing Education hours:
A maximum number of 24 hours can be applied from any one topic area
A maximum of 16 hours can be applied from each of the following courses:
A maximum number of 12 hours can be applied from each of the following courses:
A maximum number of 24 hours of CECBEMS approved Distributive Education can be applied to continuing education requirements.
ABLS AMLS BTLS NALS PEPP PHTLS PPC Teaching CPR Emergency Driving Dispatch Training College Courses
A maximum of 24 hours can be applied towards additional continuing education hours from the college level courses related to EMS. These courses include but are not limited to: Anatomy/Physiology, Pharmacology, Cellular Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Microbiology
Hours from the following courses can be applied hour for hour with no maximum: Advanced Trauma Life Support, Refresher Course Instruction, and Wilderness EMS Training.
Courses that Can Not Be Applied Towards Continuing Education Hours: Clinical Rotations, CPR, Home Study Programs, Instructor Courses, Management/Leadership Courses, Performance of Duty, Preceptor Hours, Serving as a skill examination, and Volunteer time with agencies.
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Maintain skills as verified by your Training Program Director, Director of Operations or Physician Medical Director. (Requires signature on your recertification application validating psychomotor competency).
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Obtain CPR certification at the appropriate level current to March 31.
Inactive Status
An inactive status is available for EMS providers (EMT-Basic and above) who are not directly providing patient care. Reasons you may consider applying for inactive status include-
moving, illness, pursuit of education, family responsibilities, etc. Educators, administrators or regulators who are not actively involved in patient care may also consider
applying for inactive status.
To be eligible for inactive status, you must meet all recertification requirements except affiliation with an EMS provider. You may only request inactive status
during your first recertification cycle if, you have performed the duties of an EMS provider for at least six (6) months. You must reapply for inactive status biannually if you
wish to continue your national certification.
A return to active status requires skills competency and affiliation with an EMS agency that must be verified in writing.
Download the EMT-Basic Recertification Requirements Brochure.