The EMT recertification rules are set by the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT). They state that you need to complete forty hours of approved continuing education every two years, starting from the point you first become certified. A common issue is that EMTs end up spending a lot longer than they should because they’re reliant on self-selecting courses or study programs, only to find that a proportion don’t count, or don’t meet the NREMT’s standards.
If you’re looking at how to prepare for your NREMT recertification exam without attending in-person or are unsure how to find recognized national, state, and local content, we recommend our CAPCE-accredited, end-to-end recertification programs.
What Is the Benefit of an Accredited EMT Recert Program Over Self Study?
EMTs can choose self-study or a done-for-you recertification course. There is also the option to retake the NREMT exam, but that’s rarely a first choice!
The difficulty with self-study relates to the specificity of the recertification requirements, as the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) does not accept any type of learning or tuition. It expects all EMTs to:
- Submit evidence of forty hours of continuing education, broken down into twenty hours of national content, ten hours of state or local content, and ten hours of individual content
- Complete courses, programs, or learning that are accredited by either the relevant state EMS office or by CAPCE
- Provide proof, such as a certificate of completion, before credits are granted
There are numerous reasons why education courses are rejected, which can mean spending hours studying only to discover that you’re under pressure to enroll in something new because the organization has deemed one or more programs ineligible. Whether you’re recertifying for the first or tenth time, it’s therefore well worth considering an inclusive, recognized program, because this removes any uncertainty about whether your recertification will be accepted or rejected.
Do Employers Require EMT Recertification?
All EMS organizations, in both the private and public sectors, have their own internal policies that outline the qualifications and certifications EMTs must hold. Some may have more rigorous continuing education requirements than the NREMT, while others might expect personnel to remain up to date with specific protocols within the workplace or within a specialist aspect of EMS.
Do employers accept online EMT recertifications? Normally, yes, because almost all employers in the EMS sector refer to the national NREMT standards and will expect EMTs to recertify every two years and provide a copy of their certification.
While this doesn’t apply to all states and organizations, it is strongly advisable that you keep your nationally recognized certification up to date. If this lapses, you may need to retake your NREMT exam or undergo remedial training, and you will be unable to work in another state or for an employer that enforces recertification requirements, which is something that could set your career back.
How Can an Online EMT Recertification Course Speed Up the Process?
One of the biggest advantages of our digital recertification program is that you don’t need to do anything other than study the content and answer the knowledge-check quizzes. This is much faster than alternative continuing education routes, which involve:
- Finding individual courses independently
- Checking whether each is CAPCE or state office accredited
- Following the course and securing your certification
- Ensuring you hit the 20/10/10 split in study hours
- Submitting your application for recertification to the NREMT
The Paramedic Coach has also ensured you won’t be waiting for your results, because our approved program provides immediate recertification confirmation. This is something that might be crucial if you’ve left it a little late and need to recertify by an upcoming deadline!
Once you’ve finished the program and answered the post-course assessment, we’ll send your certificate of completion straight to your inbox, which means you can rest assured you’re finished with recertification for another two years.
