The emergency medical services (EMS) industry saw a shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced-emergency medical technicians (AEMTs), and paramedics following the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Several states lowered their minimum age requirement for EMTs from eighteen to as low as fifteen or sixteen years old.
The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) eliminated its minimum age requirement of eighteen in 2019, but many states still require EMTs to be at least eighteen years old. Junior EMTs can begin volunteering or working as young as fourteen years old, and there are several states in the US that allow for EMTs under the age of eighteen.
Minimum age requirements can be impacted by how many hours most EMTs work, because many states have labor laws restricting workable hours for employees under the age of eighteen. For example, adult EMTs typically work anywhere between nine and fourteen hours per shift, whereas, in most states, minors can work no more than eight hours in a twenty-four-hour period.
Whether you’re looking for the top EMT test prep resources or hoping to jumpstart your career in EMS, The Paramedic Coach has the information you need about becoming an EMT.
EMT Minimum Age Requirements by State
| State | Minimum EMT Age | Junior EMT Program? |
| Florida | 16 | Yes |
| Georgia | 16 | Yes |
| Hawaii | 16 | Yes |
| Idaho | 16 | Yes |
| Iowa | 16 | Yes |
| Kentucky | 16 | Yes |
| Louisiana | 16 | Yes |
| Maine | 16 | Yes |
| New Jersey | 16 | Yes |
| Ohio | 16 | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | Yes |
| Virginia | 16 | Yes |
| West Virginia | 16 | Yes |
| Wisconsin | 16 | Yes |
| Most Other States | 18 | No |
Quick Facts:
- No national minimum: NREMT removed its age requirement in 2019.
- State laws decide how young you can be.
- Junior EMT programs let teens start training or volunteering early.
States Without an Age Requirement of Eighteen
As of February 2023, six states in the US had lowered their minimum required age from EMTs to sixteen or seventeen years old. Louisiana, for example, lowered the required age to allow for EMS training classes in high school‒making it so students as young as sixteen could start on-the-job training as an EMT. However, rural EMS agencies mainly hire EMTs who are minors.
Since 2023, more and more states have either lowered or completely removed the minimum age requirement to become an EMT. Among them are:
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- New Jersey
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Virginia
As this list grows, be sure to check your state’s requirements. Some states allow hopeful EMTs to begin their training at seventeen, while others allow training to begin at as young as fourteen.
What Are Junior EMTs?
If you are under the age of eighteen and do not qualify as an EMT for your state, consider looking into a Junior EMT program. Junior EMTs are teens who have completed a specialized Junior EMT training program and are qualified to volunteer as Junior EMTs in their communities.
These programs are sometimes paired with Junior Firefighter programs and can help give you a leg up in becoming a certified EMT when you’re old enough. If you are close to reaching the age requirement for your state and have completed a Junior EMT program, you may still need to complete an EMT certification course. Luckily, there are accelerated programs that can save you time.
What is the shortest time to become an EMT through one of these programs? Some programs can be completed in as little as two weeks!
Where Does the NREMT Stand?
The NREMT eliminated its minimum age requirement for EMTs in 2019. However, the NREMT’s requirements don’t mean your state’s requirements are overridden. Always check with your local and state agencies to ensure you meet the minimum age requirements for EMT certification.
Who Is Suitable for the NREMT Exam?
You must pass your NREMT test to become a certified EMT, but is this exam only suitable for EMTs? No! The NREMT exam applies to different stages of EMS certification, including EMR, EMT, AEMT, and paramedic levels. So, anyone who qualifies for EMS certification is supposed to pass the NREMT test that matches their level.
However, you need to obtain the authorization to test (ATT) from the National Registry. This process involves submitting an application and making the necessary payments. Your EMS program director is required to verify your qualification before you can receive your ATT.
Once the verification process is successful, you’ll receive your ATT through your NREMT account within two business days. Still, this process can take longer in peak seasons. Use the ATT to schedule your exam.
Note that this authorization is valid for only ninety days, after which you have to submit another application and pay the applicable fee to get a new one. It’s always a good idea to talk to an experienced EMT or paramedic about what you need to know before you schedule your NREMT exam.
The Paramedic Coach has answers to all of your burning questions about the exam, including how to study for the exam, what you’re likely to be tested on, how many questions you should answer, and the most challenging parts of the test.
We offer specialized study methods, which include thousands of practice questions, hundreds of videos, worksheets, drug cards, and audio files to guide you through the preparation process!
Prepare for EMT Certification With The Paramedic Coach
Whether you’re a Junior EMT ready to make an impact or a high school graduate gearing up for your career, we have the study tools and life resources to help you every step of the way. Our Video Vault walks through all the confusing concepts and complicated jargon in a way that makes sense and prepares you for the EMT exams and your career!
