If you have a lapsed National Registry Advance Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) certification, lapsed state AEMT license including a lapsed equivalent AEMT certification, or recognized higher level of Emergency Medical Serices (EMS) certification and want to gain National Registry AEMT certification, you must meet the following requirements.


NOTE: If you have a current state license, visit the State Licensed Pathway.

State Licensed Pathway

Requirements for Certification

  • Fifty (50) credits of continuing education that meets all requirements of the current National Continued Competency Program within the past two (2) years. 
    • The National Registry accepts State EMS Office approved and CAPCE accredited education, education from EMS education programs, and U.S. accredited academic credit or college course. All education must be directly related to EMS patient care.  
  • Successful completion of the National Registry AEMT Certification Examination. 
  • Copy of a lapsed state AEMT license/certification if never nationally certified as an AEMT. 
  • Verification of skills competency prior to the first expiration date. 
    1. Skills verification must be completed by one of the following mechanisms between the date of issuance of national EMS certification and the first expiration date. If the candidate does not successfully demonstrate skills verification within the allocated timeframe, the candidate will not be allowed to recertify, and the certification will lapse.
      1. If the candidate affiliates with a National Registry Agency and has their skills competency verified (third-party) by their Agency’s Medical Director or Training Officer, this satisfies the requirement for re-entry.   
      2. A State EMS Office or State-Approved or CAAHEP Accredited Education Program. 
      3. Provide verification of their current, full, and unrestricted state license. 
        • With a current, full, and unrestricted state license to provide care, the candidate demonstrates minimum skills competency, as required by a state licensing body. 

National Component Guides

The new 2025 NCCP Model will begin on April 1, 2025 for EMT/AEMT/Paramedic and October 1, 2025 for EMR:

National 2025 NCCP Model

Local or State Component - 12.5 Credits

If specific local and/or state are not specified, these required credits are considered flexible content. You may use any state or Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE) approved EMS–related education to fulfill these requirements. 

Individual Component - 12.5 Credits

The individual hours are considered flexible content. You may use any state or Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE) approved EMS–related education to fulfill these requirements.

Application Process

To apply for a National Registry examination: 

  1. Create your account/log in to your profile. 
  2. Select the AEMT Re-entry Application. Verify/update any personal information and follow the prompts through the application. 
  3. Pay the application fee.
  4. Attach your lapsed state AEMT license/certification (if applicable), add your continuing education, and attach the education certificates to your application. 
  5. Monitor the progress of your application from your Candidate Dashboard in case additional action is needed. Once the National Registry approves your application and your “Examination” tile contains the message “Authorization to Test (ATT) received,” you can view your ATT and schedule your examination.

Related Policies

The National Registry has disciplinary procedures, rights of appeal and due process within its policies. For complete details regarding the National Registry Disciplinary Policy and your Rights of Appeal, please refer to the link below.

Disciplinary Actions Policy

The National Registry 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 National Registry Accommodations Disability Policy can be found using the link below.

ADA Accommodations

Nationally Registered Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMTs) must notify the National Registry within 30 days regarding the following matters:
  • Change in mailing address (the best way to update a mailing address is by editing the user profile page)
  • 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 National Registry considers the individual to be solely responsible for their certification.

Expiration Dates

Initial expiration dates are determined by the date the candidate successfully completes the entire national certification process. AEMT candidates completing the national certification process between the January 1 and June 30 will receive an expiration date of March 31 two years in the future. Individuals successfully completing the national certification process between July 1 and December 31 will receive an expiration date of March 31 three years in the future.

If you successfully complete the national certification process between January 1 - June 30 your initial certification date will be March 31 of 2 years in the future.

If you successfully complete the national certification process between July 1- December 31 your initial certification date will be March 31 of 3 years in the future.