Handbook Purpose


We’re glad you’re interested in earning your National Registry certification and want to help you get started.

The Candidate Handbook outlines the steps to certification, your responsibilities, how the exam works, and key policies. Please read it in full.

This handbook is intended for candidates currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an educational program.

If you have questions not covered in the handbook, we’re happy to assist you via our website, call center, or email.

National Registry Certification

We use examinations to make sure candidates have the knowledge and skills needed to be an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT). The examination is the same across the country to make sure that everyone meets the same standards. As a result, the AEMT certification lets the public, healthcare providers, employers, and others know that you have the knowledge and skills to work safely and effectively.

Successfully obtaining National Registry certification does not grant you the right to practice. You must obtain a state-issued license in order to legally practice as an AEMT. In many states, National Registry certification is one of the requirements to earn a state license to practice.
FAQ: What is the difference between National Registry certification and state licensure?
Having National Registry certification means you have met a set of standards and that you have the knowledge and skills required for an AEMT position. A license is the legal right to practice as an EMS professional within a set scope of practice and is granted by a state or other legally recognized authority.

About the National Registry

The purpose of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, as the EMS certification organization, we ensure that all EMS clinicians have the knowledge and skills required for competent practice.

The National Registry: 

  • Establishes applicant eligibility requirements for National Registry certification
  • Develops the certification examination
  • Establishes recertification requirements        
  • Reviews self-disclosed disciplinary actions taken against an applicant’s healthcare related professional licenses
  • Monitors certification status of registrants and takes appropriate action against the certification when apprised of adverse licensure actions
  • Provides to licensing or designated authorizing agencies obtained adverse licensure action information regarding registered EMS clinicians

The National Registry does not: 

  •  Establish education program curricular content or instructional practices
  • Accredit or approve education programs for certification or recertification
  • Assess job performance
  • Assess fitness for all aspects of job performance (physical, mental, criminal background clearance)
  • Investigate complaints regarding EMS practice
  • Establish scopes of practice or standards of care
  • Establish job-related standards of professional behavior

Certification Process Overview

The first four steps in this process are the following: 

STEP  1: 

Begin an Education Program
Before you can apply for AEMT certification, you must have an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license or certification and you must be enrolled in an initial AEMT education program.

STEP  2: 

Create account
Once you are enrolled in an AEMT educational program, create your National Registry account, if you do not already have one.

Note: Submit an accommodations request at least four weeks before you complete your program to prevent delays.

STEP  3: 

Submit application and payment
Submit your application about four weeks before you complete your program. The Program Director must approve your application when you complete the course requirements. The payment for your examination is due before you will be authorized to sit for the examination.  

STEP  4: 

Register for the National Registry examination
You need three things for your application to be complete: submitted application, submitted payment, and your Program Director’s approval. Once your application is complete, we will update your National Registry account with your Authorization to Test (ATT) within one to two business days.

You have 90 days from the day we issue your ATT to complete your examination. You will lose your ATT and the money you paid if you do not use your ATT in 90 days. Some ATTs may not be issued for the full 90 days if they are close to the end of their eligibility

Go to the Pearson VUE website to schedule your examination. After your examination, your results will post to your Registry account within three business days.

Contact Information

Contact the National Registry

Contact the National Registry with questions about your certification application, the examination, or certification policies:

General Questions

Website: www.nremt.org
Telephone: 1-614-888-4484

Address for applications and check or money orders:
The National Registry of EMTs
PO Box 77200
Detroit, MI, 48277-2000

Address for packages and general mail:
6610 Busch Blvd
Columbus, OH 43229

National Registry Accounts, Applications, Name Changes, and General Questions

support@nremt.org

Examination Results

exams@nremt.org

Recertification

support@nremt.org

Accommodations

accommodations@nremt.org

Contact Pearson VUE

Contact Pearson VUE with questions about Pearson VUE login assistance and scheduling or rescheduling examinations:

Website: www.pearsonvue.com/nremt/

Telephone: 1-866-673-6896

Email Form: https://home.pearsonvue.com/test-taker/customer-service/Email-form-americas-professional.aspx

Address: Pearson Professional Testing, 5601 Green Valley Drive, Bloomington, MN 55437

Contact your State EMS Office

The National Registry has a State EMS Office contact list for your convenience. Follow the link below and select your state to find their contact information:
https://www.nremt.org/resources/state-ems-offices


 

Part 2: Candidate Responsibilities