AEMT Candidate Handbook · Overview | National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians

Handbook Purpose

We are excited you are working on your National Registry certification.

We want to prepare you so that you know what to do to get certified. The handbook contains information on the National Registry certification. It explains your responsibilities and the steps to earn certification. It also explains how exams work and what the certification policies are. Please read the entire handbook.

This handbook is for candidates who are completing or have recently completed an educational program.

You may have concerns that are not addressed in this handbook. For those questions, we are pleased to serve you through our website, call center and email.

National Registry Certification

We use exams to make sure candidates have the knowledge and skills needed to be an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT). The exams are the same across the country to make sure that everyone meets the same standards. As a result, the AEMT 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 an AEMT. 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 an AEMT 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 National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians serves as the Nation’s Emergency Medical Services Certification organization. The mission of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians has always been centered on protecting the public and advancing the EMS profession.
The National Registry:

Establishes eligibility requirements for applicants for National Registry certification
Develops exam (cognitive and psychomotor)
Establishes recertification requirements
Reviews applicants’ self-disclosed criminal convictions and actions taken against their healthcare related professional licenses
Monitors certification status of registrants and takes appropriate action against the certification when apprised of adverse licensure actions and criminal convictions
Provides to licensing or designated authorizing agencies obtained adverse licensure action and criminal conviction information regarding registered EMS professionals

The Registry does not:

Establish, 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 AEMT certification, you must have an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license or certification and you must be enrolled in an initial education program.

STEP 2:

CREATE ACCOUNT

Once you are enrolled in an AEMT educational program, create your National Registry account.

STEP 3:

SUBMIT APPLICATION AND PAYMENT

Submit your application about four weeks before you complete your program. Your Program Director needs to approve your application. The Director will approve your application when you complete the course requirements. The payment for your cognitive exam is due when you are ready to test.

STEP 4:

REGISTER FOR EXAM

You need three things for your application to be complete: submitted application, submitted payment, and your Program Director’s approval. Once your application is complete, we will update your National Registry account with your Authorization to Test (ATT) within one to two business days.

You have 90 days from the day we issue your ATT to complete your cognitive exam. You will lose your ATT and the money you paid if you do not use your ATT in 90 days.

Go to the Pearson VUE website to schedule your cognitive exam. After your exam, your results will post to your Registry account within 1-2 business days.

We will also update your Registry account with your Psychomotor Authorization to Test (PATT) number after your application is complete. Use your PATT to sign up for a psychomotor exam.

You can search the list of available psychomotor exams on the National Registry website. Call the locations for availability. Let them know you want to test at the AEMT level. They will ask you for your PATT number. After your psychomotor exam, your official results will post within four weeks to your Registry account.

Contact Information

Contact the Registry with questions about your certification application, the cognitive or psychomotor exam, or certification policies:

General Questions

Website: www.nremt.org
Telephone: 1-614-888-4484
Fax: 1-614-396-2428

Address for applications and check or money orders:
The National Registry
PO Box 77200
Detroit, MI, 48277-2000

Address for packages and general mail:
6610 Busch Blvd
Columbus, OH 43229

Criminal Convictions

support@nremt.org

Contact Pearson VUE with questions about Pearson VUE login assistance and scheduling or rescheduling cognitive exams:

Website: www.pearsonvue.com/nremt/

Telephone: 1-866-673-6896

Email Form: https://home.pearsonvue.com/Test-takers/Customer-service/Email/Americas-professional.aspx

Contact your State EMS Office. The Registry has a State EMS Office contact list for your convenience. Follow the link below and select your state to find their contact information:
https://www.nremt.org/resources/state-ems-offices

Part 2: Candidate Responsibilities