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AEMT and Paramedic Certification Examinations

Table of Contents

► ABOUT THE EXAMINATIONS
► CANDIDATE PATHWAYS 
► COST
► FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 
► ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 

About the ALS Examinations 

Examination Content

National Registry certification examinations are updated periodically to ensure alignment as professional roles evolve. These changes allow the certification examination to incorporate new advances in clinical practice, research, science, and available new technology.  

The test plans for the AEMT Certification Examination and the Paramedic Certification Examination, as determined through the 2019 National EMS Practice Analysis and the 2021 National EMS Practice Analysis Addendum, are found here:  
 

The AEMT Certification Examination Domain Information.

Content DomainPercent of Examination
Airway, Respiration & Ventilation*9% - 13%
Cardiology & Resuscitation*11% – 15%
Trauma*7% - 11%
Medical/Obstetrics/Gynecology*25% - 29%
EMS Operations6% - 10%
Clinical Judgment*31% - 35%
*Note: items related to pediatric patient care will be integrated throughout the examination content. 

The Paramedic Certification Examination Domain Information.

Content DomainPercent of Examination
Airway, Respiration & Ventilation*8% - 12%
Cardiology & Resuscitation* 10% – 14%
Trauma*6% - 10%
Medical/Obstetrics/Gynecology*24% - 28%
EMS Operations8% - 12%
Clinical Judgment*34% - 38%
*Note: items related to pediatric patient care will be integrated throughout the examination content.  

Item types, often referred to in the assessment industry as Technology Enhanced Items (TEIs), utilize specialized interactive features to assess candidate knowledge. These items require different ways of responding than do the single-selection multiple choice or multiple-response items used in National Registry examinations. TEIs have been in the AEMT and Paramedic Certification Examinations since 2023.  

  
 
Examples of the TEIs that will now be included in all National Registry examinations are:  
Build List: Candidates must position several presented options into the order specified in the item instructions.  
Drag-and-Drop: Candidates must position several presented options into certain categories, classifications, or other identifiers as specified in the item instructions.  
Option/Check Box: Candidates must classify, categorize, or identify several options presented in a table based on certain specified criteria.  
  *Click here to learn how the above items can be operated. 

At the beginning of the examination, candidates will be provided with a tutorial containing specific instructions on how to respond to each type of item. These instructions will also be available throughout the examination via the Help function.   

For the AEMT and Paramedic Certification Examinations, the TEIs are incorporated throughout the EMS scenarios: 

En Route, Scene, and Post Scene. 


To help illustrate how these items are being used, a sample packet has been created to provide examination exemplars for AEMT and NRP candidates, EMS educators, state officials, and other interested parties.  
 
This packet contains information in the following areas:  
+  Clinical judgment scenario sample screens
+  Definitions of clinical judgment, which include aspects of leadership and communications
+  The steps used in clinical judgment
+  Sample of items used by National Registry 


For more insights, click below for the Clinical Judgment Domain Sample Packet video.

 

Download the Clinical Judgment Domain Sample Packet

An interactive sample of items were created to help familiarize candidates to the types of questions that will appear on the new AEMT Certification Examination and the new Paramedic Certification Examination.  

View AEMT items

View Paramedic items


The sample items provided above aim to replicate the experience of the actual National Registry certification examination at Pearson VUE testing centers. To ensure optimal interaction with these sample items, we recommend accessing them using a Windows or Mac desktop or laptop computer. Please note that using a mobile phone may not provide the same experience.
 

CANDIDATE PATHWAYS 

Candidate PathwaysActions 
If a candidate prefers to take the new certification examination instead of the current cognitive and psychomotor examinations, are they able to wait and take the new certification examination after July 1, 2024? Yes, the candidate can wait.
What if the cognitive examination is completed by June 30, 2024, but not the psychomotor examination? The candidate is required to take either the new AEMT Certification Examination or the new Paramedic Certification Examination starting July 1, 2024. 
What if the psychomotor examination is completed by June 30, 2024, but not the cognitive examination? The candidate is required to take either the new AEMT Certification Examination or the new Paramedic Certification Examination starting July 1, 2024. 
If a candidate has passed both the cognitive and psychomotor examinations prior to July 1, 2024, is their certification still valid? Yes, however, Nationally Registered EMS Clinicians are required to renew their certification every two years. Recertification can be accomplished by either taking the certification examination or by completing continuing education.   
What about a clinician whose certification expires after July 1 and plans to recertify by examination (RBE)? The clinician is required to take either the new AEMT Certification Examination or the new Paramedic Certification Examination starting July 1, 2024. 
 

COST 

+ AEMT Certification Examination- $159.00. 
+Paramedic Certification Examination- $175.00. 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CERTIFICATION EXAMINATIONS

Yes, they can. These decisions need to be made collaboratively between the school and the student. Candidates should work directly with their education program director and faculty to determine when they are ready to test and the proper time to test. The existing examination process will continue through June 30, 2024. Beginning July 1, 2024, candidates will be required to take the new AEMT Certification Examination or new Paramedic Certification Examination.  
No. Candidates who do not complete both the current cognitive and psychomotor examinations by June 30, 2024, will have to take the new AEMT Certification Examination or new Paramedic Certification Examination. 
If a candidate has successfully passed either the current psychomotor or cognitive examinations but has not passed both examinations by June 30, 2024, they will be required to take the new AEMT Certification Examination or new Paramedic Certification Examination. 
Yes, if a candidate has successfully passed both the psychomotor and cognitive examinations by June 30, 2024, the candidate will be certified by the National Registry. However, Nationally Registered EMS Clinicians are required to renew their certification every two years. Recertification can be accomplished by either taking the certification examination or by completing continuing education.
The clinician will take the new AEMT Certification Examination or new Paramedic Certification Examination. 

All PATT expiration dates have been changed to the psychomotor discontinuation date of June 30, 2024.  No PATTs are valid after June 30, 2024. 

If candidates are seeking to be certified before their PATT expiration, they have to successfully pass both the psychomotor and cognitive examinations by June 30, 2024, to become nationally certified.  

Candidates also have the option to wait until after July 1, 2024, and take the new AEMT Certification Examination or the new Paramedic Certification Examination.  

The new AEMT Certification Examination starts on July 1, 2024 with the new fee amount of $159.00. One examination - no psychomotor examination required. 

The new Paramedic Certification Examination starts on July 1, 2024 with the new fee amount of $175.00. One examination - no psychomotor examination required. 

No. The discontinuation of the ALS psychomotor examination does not alter the two-year eligibility timeframe. Candidates will continue to have two years from the date of course completion to complete all testing requirements. The number of attempts allowed is not changing. As an example: If a candidate fails the cognitive examination four times, the candidate would still be allowed two attempts at the new AEMT Certification Examination or new Paramedic Certification Examination, so long as they are within their two-year window of eligibility.
Yes. We have been working in collaboration with our partners to ensure the new AEMT Certification Examination and the new Paramedic Certification Examination will be ready to be administered beginning July 1, 2024.
The new AEMT Certification Examination and the new Paramedic Certification Examination will be given at Pearson VUE sites, please see: https://home.pearsonvue.com/nremt
In order to gain certification using the current process, both the ALS Psychomotor Examination and Cognitive Examination must be successfully completed by June 30, 2024. If a candidate has not passed the ALS Psychomotor Examination (including allowable retest attempts) and the Cognitive Examination by this date, the candidate must take the new AEMT Certification Examination or the new Paramedic Certification Examination. With the new examination process, a psychomotor examination is not required and will not be counted in the new testing process. However, if a candidate fails the second full attempt of the psychomotor examination before July 1, 2024, our normal existing rules apply, and the candidate must complete a new AEMT or new Paramedic course.

 


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Archived Webinars

February Webinar Information

On February 7 from 1-2pm EST, Paul Rosenberger, EdD, NRP with National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) discussed the extensive process of developing a valid certification examination and its associated lifecycle. Dr. Rosenberger discussed the Practice Analysis for Basic Life Support (BLS), as well as the Psychomotor Examination for Advanced Life Support (ALS), and more.

View Webinar

 

December Webinar Information

In December 2023, Paul Rosenberger, EdD, NRP, the National Registry’s Examinations Content Manager, collaborated with the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) and held a webinar describing the new AEMT Certification Examination and the new Paramedic Certification Examination. Please click on the following link to hear his insightful information: Understanding Innovation and Developments for National Registry Certification Examinations

View Webinar