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 a paramedic. The examination is the same across the country to make sure that everyone meets the same standards. As a result, the Paramedic 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 a paramedic. 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 a Paramedic 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 certified  EMS clinicians 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 certified 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 a Paramedic certification, you must have at least an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license or certification. If you have a higher-level license or certification, you may also start a Paramedic education program. You must be in a CAAHEP-accredited Paramedic program (or a program that has a CoAEMSP “Letter of Review”) as the National Registry only accepts candidates from these accredited programs. Contact your state EMS office to find programs in your area.

STEP  2: 

Create account
Once you are enrolled in a Paramedic 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 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 have up to 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 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
  
Criminal Convictions
evaluation@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: www.nremt.org/resources/state-ems-offices


 

Part 2: Candidate Agreement