We are excited that you are interested in gaining your National Registry certification. We want to prepare you so that you know what to do to get certified. The handbook contains information on the National Registry certification. 

It explains your responsibilities and the steps to earn certification. It also explains how the examination works and what the certification policies are. Please read the entire handbook.

This handbook is for candidates who are completing or have recently completed an educational program.

You may have concerns that are not addressed in this handbook. For those questions, we are pleased to serve you through our website, call center, or email.

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

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 eligibility requirements for applicants for National Registry certification
• Develops 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 professionals

The 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 EMT certification, you must be enrolled in an initial education program.

STEP  2: 

Create account
Once you are enrolled in an EMT educational program, create your National Registry account.

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 cognitive examination is due when you are ready to test.  

STEP  4: 

Register for the 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 1-2 business days.

You have 90 days from the day we issue your ATT to complete your cognitive examination. You will lose your ATT and the money you paid if you do not use your ATT in 90 days.

Go to the Pearson VUE website to schedule your cognitive examination. After your examination, your results will post to your National Registry account within 1-2 business days.

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