Emergency Medical Technicians or EMTs are persons trained to give medical assistance in an emergency situation. EMTs go through formal training and comprehensive examinations before getting certified. The requirements to become an EMT certified differ from state to state. Here is a comprehensive list of requirements for getting an EMT certification.

Register for the EMT Training Program

The EMT entry level is called an EMT-Basic or also known as EMT-B. The EMT-B classes takes around 100-150 hours and usually includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Automatic External Defibrillation, bone splinting, and suctioning fluids.

Requirements are:

1. Applicants should be 17-18 years of age at the time of enrollment.
2. Must be mentally and physically capable of performing the essential duties of an EMT
3. Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language
4. Be CPR certified
5. A criminal background check approved by the Training Program

Take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Basic computer-based exam.

Requirements are:

1. Applicants should be 18 years of age or older
2. An EMT training class successfully completed within the past two years
3. Certification from the Program Director that you have demonstrated competence in EMT skills
4. A current CPR certificate for health care providers
5. Completion of an EMT psychomotor exam given at the end of the EMT Training Program or a state approved examination.

Check online for the exam results or wait for the results to arrive in the mail several weeks later.

If you have successfully passed the EMT exam, you can then apply for an EMT Certification with an EMT certifying entity. Make sure that you apply within two years of finishing the EMT Training Program.

The requirements to apply for an EMT Certification are the following:

1. No prior EMT Certificate or one that has lapsed for two years
2. Application fee of $100
3. Name, address, and phone number of current employer
4. Copies of the following:

• A current NREMT-Basic card
• NREMT document indicating you passed the NREMT cognitive exam within past two years
• A course completion record documenting successful completion of an approved EMT Basic Course within the past two years
• A Current CPR card that is valid for at least two months past the time of a complete application submitted.
• Receipt for Department of Justice and FBI Live Scan for criminal background clearance
• A Government Issued Identification with photo.

Continue Your Education

Once you are an EMT certified, it is to your advantage if you further develop your skills and update yourself with the latest news regarding your career. You can continue your education and advance into the second and third levels known as the EMT-Intermediate and EMT-Paramedic. Advancement in your EMT career is also required by the government every two years prior to your re-certification. Requirements for re-certification include:

1. Completion of EMT Refresher Course.
2. Completion of 48 hours of EMS related education.
3. Processing fee of $15 upon submission of documentation.
4. Verification of skills by the training Program Director, Director of Operations, or Physical Medical Director.
5. Obtain CPR certification at the appropriate level.

Other important requirements for re-certification whether you choose to take the EMT classes or retake the EMT exams are the following:

1. You must be actively working as an EMT.
2. Demonstrate continued cognitive competency through continuing education or examination.
3. Submit the completed recertification application before March 31 of the year of your certificate’s expiration.

Revalidate a Lapsed Certificate

An EMT certificate is valid only for two years. For recently lapsed certificate, you can just take a Refresher course and pass the cognitive and psychomotor examinations to be able to apply for a re-certification. For certificates that expired more than two years ago, an entire EMT course is required, as well as passing the cognitive and psychomotor exams.

Getting an EMT certification is actually fast and simple. A few weeks of training and passing the exams will pave the way for you to have an exciting, fast-paced and rewarding career as an EMT.