Part 1 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.

We use examinations to make sure candidates have the knowledge and skills needed to be an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR). The examinations are the same across the country to make sure that everyone meets the same standards. As a result, the EMR 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 EMR. In many states, National Registry certification is one of the requirements to earn a state license to practice.

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians serves as the nation’s Emergency Medical Services Certification organization. The mission of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians has always been centered on protecting the public and advancing the EMS profession. The National Registry:

•  Establishes eligibility requirements for applicants for National Registry certification
• Develops examination
• Establishes recertification requirements
• Reviews applicants’ self-disclosed actions taken against their 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 regarding certified EMS clinicians

The National Registry does not:

• Establish, 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

The first four steps in this process are the following:

STEP 1:

BEGIN AN EDUCATION PROGRAM

Before you can apply for EMR certification, you must be enrolled in an initial education program.

STEP 2:

CREATE ACCOUNT

Once you are enrolled in an EMR education program, create your National Registry account.

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. Your Program Director needs to approve your application. The Director will approve your application when you complete the course requirements. The payment for your examination is due when you are ready to test. 

STEP 4:

REGISTER FOR EXAMINATION

Once completing the steps above, we’ll update your National Registry account with your Authorization to Test (ATT) within 1–2 business days.

You’ll have 90 days from the date your ATT is issued to schedule and take your examination. If you don’t test within that window, your ATT and payment will be forfeited.

You can schedule your examination directly within your National Registry account. After testing, your results will be posted to your account within 1–2 business days.

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

Website: www.pearsonvue.com/nremt/

Telephone: 1-866-673-6896

Email Form: https://home.pearsonvue.com/Test-takers/Customer-service/Email/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