Enrolling in an EMT recertification course is doubtless the easiest way to keep your National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) certification current, and the vast majority of employers will consider this acceptable, given that most states align their certification and recertification rules with the national standards.
Although there are contrasts between some states and some organizations, especially those in niche or specialist operational areas, it’s a great idea to complete a recertification program every two years, because this protects your status as a nationally certified EMT.
In this post, we’ve explained the differences you might encounter between the NREMT, your state EMS office, and your employer to help you pick the right recertification course with confidence.
EMT Recertification: NREMT versus State EMS Office versus Employer Requirements
The National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) updated its continuing education rules three years ago and now allows EMTs to recertify entirely online without needing to attend in-person classes. It uses the National Continued Competency Program (NCCP) framework, which includes the requirements around recertification through either retaking the exam or continuing education.
Most state EMS offices and employers use the national framework, rather than having a completely separate set of requirements, although some have a few additional rules, which we’ll outline shortly. This all means that, as long as you keep your NREMT certification up to date, you’ll continue to hold a nationally recognized qualification, which you’ll need if you switch employers or decide to relocate.
What Are the Rules Around EMT Online Recertification Courses?
The NREMT states that EMTs need to submit evidence of 40 hours of continuing education every two years, and that their learning must be:
- Provided by a recognized, approved trainer
- Split into national, state, and individual components
- Divided between each content area correctly, regardless of whether the program is online or in-person
How long does it take to complete an EMT recertification course online? Our accredited program offers the full forty hours of continuing education across all three mandatory content areas, which means you won’t need to spend longer than the forty hours expected to meet the requirements.
We’ve also seen through countless student reviews of the best EMT recertification programs online that having automatic confirmation and an emailed certificate of completion saves even more time, without needing to manually apply for recertification through the NREMT portal.
How Do State and Local EMT Recertification Requirements Vary?
As we hinted, employers and service providers may need to comply with state-specific or localized requirements, which can differ from the standards enforced by the NREMT. While not an exhaustive list, these variations can include:
- Certain requirements or criteria for the state component of continuing education
- An additional in-person skills verification component
- Extra steps to gain approval from a medical director or other senior manager within your agency or organization
Online recertification remains the quickest option, but you should check if there are any additional steps you need to take.
What Recertification Rules Do Employers Have for EMTs?
Organizations are typically happy to accept online recertification. In reality, provided they have a certificate that verifies each EMT has completed the NREMT recertification process, they won’t usually need to know whether the person met the standards through a digital or classroom-based course.
Employers are also well-versed in online recertification, with organizations such as the American Red Cross that issue digital certificates with a QR code that can be scanned to verify their validity. In other cases, employers automatically sync their systems with the NREMT and CAPCE, which means EMTs won’t need to take any action to notify their employer that they’re fully recertified.
If you are in any doubt, be sure to check with the organization you work for or visit the videos and resources from The Paramedic Coach, which explain the ins and outs of EMT recertification in more detail.
