National Registry psychomotor examinations are standardized examinations administered in a variety of locations across the United States. EMR and EMT psychomotor exams are coordinated by either the State EMS Office or by educational institutions under authority of the state. All advanced level psychomotor exams (Advanced EMT and Paramedic) are authorized and monitored by an official National Registry Exam Representative.

Candidates should begin their search for an examination site by contacting the course instructor. Instructors should be able to guide candidates to the closest recommended exam site. A current listing of scheduled Advanced Level examination sites are provided on the Find A Psychomotor Exam page. If a candidate lives in a state that offers the examination as part of their licensure process, the state may chose to close the examination to residents of other states. If examinations are listed in a state, call the state EMS office and ask them when and where you can take the next psychomotor examination. Note: For initial state licensure requirements, some states only accept psychomotor examinations administered in their states.

Advanced Level Exams

Psychomotor Exam Process

Important! Please Read

In order to register for an Advanced Level Psychomotor Examination, you must first obtain a Psychomotor Authorization to Test (PATT) letter. Candidates will be required to provide their PATT number to reservation coordinators instead of their Social Security number. Candidates will also need to bring their PATT letter with them on the day of their examination to be admitted to the examination site.

Prior to obtaining a PATT, your program director must either:

  1. Verify that you have completed an approved advanced level program
  2. Attest that you have early psychomotor eligibility following the completion of the didactic and laboratory portions of an approved program (if permitted by the program director and the State EMS Licensing Agency)

 

We recommend that candidates follow these steps at least six to eight weeks in advance of the anticipated psychomotor exam date. For additional assistance, please contact the National Registry at 614-888-4484. We’re ready to help!

Step 1: Create Your Account

If you do not already have a National Registry account with a username and password, create a New Account on the National Registry homepage. If you forgot your username or password, use the Password Recovery Page for assistance.

Step 2: Log in and Update User Profile

Complete all of the information in the Personal Account Information fields as prompted. The name you include in this area should EXACTLY match the name on your driver’s license or your official government-issued identification. This is the name that will appear on your application, PATT, National Registry certificate, and all official documents issued by the National Registry upon successful completion of the examination.

Step 3: Create a New Application

  • Click on ‘Create Certification Application’ to apply to take your exam.
  • Review the Personal Information Summary – if any items are incorrect, you can make corrections by clicking on ‘Manage Account Information’.
  • Select the application level you wish to complete.

Step 4: Verify That You Have Been Approved to Test

  • A PATT will not be issued until a program director has affirmed a candidate’s course completion or early psychomotor eligibility.
  • When all areas of the application process are completed and have been verified, you can click on the ‘Psychomotor ATTs’ link under ‘My Application’ on your Candidate dashboard and print your PATT.

Step 5: Schedule Your Psychomotor Examination

  1. Find a psychomotor examination
  2. Select the state or region of your choice
  3. Select the appropriate level
  4. Click the arrow icon next to the examination to see details and contact information
  5. Follow the instructions under ‘If you want to take this examination’ to schedule for the examination of your choice
  6. Once you have successfully registered for an examination, the ‘Psychomotor ATTs’ link under ‘My Applications’ will show the details of your chosen examination

Important Reminders

  • You are required to bring a copy of your PATT with you to the examination site.
  • You are required to bring a government-issued form of identification with you to the examination site.
  • You may cancel your reservation for an examination at any time until the deadline to apply listed in the examination details. After this deadline, you may no longer cancel your reservation. If you cannot make the examination, you will be unable to reschedule for another examination until the original examination has been processed. You can only register for one examination at a time. Failure to attend an examination does not count as an attempt.

ADVANCED-EMT EXAM

Find A Psychomotor Exam

The Advanced EMT psychomotor examination consists of nine skills presented in a scenario-type format. All skills have been developed in accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation National EMS Education Standards, the American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and ECC, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Trauma Triage Protocol.

The psychomotor examination process is a formal verification of the candidate's "hands-on" abilities and knowledge. Apart from Pass or Fail, candidates are not provided with specific feedback regarding their exam performance.

Advanced EMTs are required to demonstrate proficiency on the following skills:

Patient Assessment-Trauma

​Candidates are required to perform a "hands-on," head-to-toe, physical assessment and voice treatment of a simulated patient for a given scenario, including:
  • Scene Size-Up
  • Initial Assessment/Resuscitation
  • Focused History and Physical Examination - Rapid Trauma Assessment
  • Detailed Physical Examination
If testing on or before March 16, 2021
If testing on or after March 17, 2021
  

Patient Assessment-Medical

​​​​​​Candidates are required to perform a "hands-on," head-to-toe, physical assessment and voice treatment of a simulated patient for a given scenario, including:
  • Scene Size-Up
  • Initial Assessment/Resuscitation
  • Focused History and Physical Examination - Rapid Trauma Assessment
  • On-Going Assessment
If testing on or before March 16, 2021
If testing on or after ​​​March 17, 2021
 

Ventilatory Management

Candidates are evaluated over the following two ventilatory management scenarios:

  • Apneic Adult

Given a scenario of having just found an apneic adult patient with a palpable carotid pulse,candidates must demonstrate immediate management of the patient using simple airway maneuvers and adjuncts, BVM device, and supplemental oxygen, followed by the placement of a supraglottic airway device.

  • Pediatric Respiratory Compromise

Given a scenario with an infant in respiratory distress, candidates must demonstrate immediate management of the patient using simple airway maneuvers, adjuncts, and supplemental oxygen.You will then be required to demonstrate BVM ventilations as the patient progresses from respiratory distress to respiratory failure.

If testing on or before March 16, 2021
If testing on or after March 17, 2021


Cardiac Arrest Management/AED

​​​​​​Candidates will be evaluated on their ability to manage a cardiac arrest situation the proper use of an AED and 1-rescuer CPR.
If testing on or before March 16, 2021
If testing on or after March 17, 2021


IV and Medication Skills

​​​​​​Intravenous Therapy: Candidates are required to establish a patent IV in a manikin arm in accordance with a given scenario.

​​Intravenous Bolus Medications:Candidates must administer an IV bolus of medication in accordance with a given scenario.
If testing on or before March 16, 2021
If testing on or after March 17, 2021


Pediatric Intraosseous Infusion Skills

​​​​​Candidates are required to establish an intraosseous line in a pediatric IO manikin. (Manual insertion with a Jamshidi® needle or battery-powered drill-type devices are permitted.)
If testing on or before March 16, 2021
If testing on or after March 17, 2021

Random EMT Skills

Each candidate will be evaluated on one of the following randomly selected EMT skills.

If testing on or before March 16, 2021
If testing on or after March 17, 2021
 

Psychomotor Exam Retest Information

Advanced EMT candidates are allowed two full attempts to pass the psychomotor examination (one "full attempt" is defined as completing all skills and two retesting opportunities if so entitled).

Candidates are eligible to retest four or less skills when taking a full attempt of the psychomotor examination. Candidates are eligible for two retest attempts of the four or less skills failed. If offered, only one retest attempt may be completed on the same day. Failure of any skill on the second retest attempt constitutes complete failure of the entire psychomotor examination. Candidates who fail five or more skills have failed the entire psychomotor examination.

Candidates who fail a full attempt or any portion of a second retest attempt must submit official documentation of remedial training over all skills before starting the next full attempt of the psychomotor examination and re-examining over all nine skills, provided all other requirements for National Certification are fulfilled.

This official documentation must be signed by a Program Director, Training Officer, or Medical Director that verifies remedial training over all skills has occurred since the last unsuccessful attempt and the candidate has demonstrated competence in all skills.

Documentation may be emailed to support@nremt.org.

Should a candidate fail the second full and final attempt of the psychomotor examination, the candidate must complete a new, state approved Advanced EMT Training Program.

  • Passed portions of the cognitive and psychomotor exam remain valid for 24 months. For candidates with a course completion date prior to November 1, 2018, passed portions of each examination are valid for 12 months. Provided all other entry requirements are met.

PARAMEDIC PSYCHOMOTOR EXAM

Important Notice

Detailed information related to Psychomotor Pathways and the transition between the Traditional and Phase 1 psychomotor exams is on the Paramedic Portfolio Page

Find A Psychomotor Exam

Paramedic candidates are tested on six skills: Patient Assessment – Trauma, Dynamic Cardiology, Static Cardiology, Oral Station Case A, Oral Station Case B , and the Integrated Out-Of-Hospital Scenario.

Patient Assessment-Trauma

Candidates are required to perform a "hands-on," head-to-toe, physical assessment and voice treatment of a simulated patient for a given scenario, including:

  • Scene Size-Up
  • Primary Survey/Resuscitation
  • History Taking
  • Secondary Assessment
If testing on or before ​​March 16, 2021
If testing on or after March 17, 2021

Cardiac Management Skills

The candidate is evaluated on their ability to manage cardiac arrhythmias and interpret ECGs. This will be verified in two portions:

​​​​​​You will be evaluated on your ability to manage a cardiac arrest situation, including actual delivery of electrical therapy and "voicing" all interpretations and treatments given a scenario. The presentation of the portion will be similar to a "megacode."
If testing on or before March 16, 2021
If testing on or after March 17, 2021


Given four (4) prepared ECG tracings with associated patient information, you must verbalize the interpretation of each rhythm and voice all associated treatments.

If testing on or before March 16, 2021
If testing on or after March 17, 2021


Oral Station - Scenario A & B

You will be evaluated on your ability to verbally manage all aspects of an out-of-hospital call given two (2) separate cases: Oral A & Oral B

In each case, you will be evaluated in the following categories:

  • Scene Management
  • Patient Assessment
  • Patient Management
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Integration (verbal report, field impression, and transport decision)
If testing on or before March 16, 2021
If testing on or after March 17, 2021
 

Integrated Out-Of-Hospital Scenario

​​​​​The Integrated Out-Of-Hospital Scenario (IOOH) will reflect either a pediatric, geriatric or adult patient. The candidate will be provided with a professional paramedic partner and evaluated on their ability to manage a call, lead a team, effectively communicate, and maintain professionalism throughout the simulated patient encounter.
If testing on or before March 16, 2021
If testing on or after March 17, 2021


Paramedic Phase 1 Psychomotor Exam Retest

Paramedic candidates are allowed two (2) full attempts to pass the psychomotor examination (one "full attempt" is defined as completing all six (6) skills and two retesting opportunities if so entitled).

Candidates are eligible to retest three (3) or less skills when taking a full attempt of the psychomotor examination. Candidates are eligible for two (2) retest attempts of the three (3) or less skills failed for no more than twenty four(24) months from the date of the examination, provided they meet all other current requirements for National EMS Certification. If offered, only one (1) retest attempt may be completed on the same day. Candidates not completing the failed portion of the examination within that twenty four(24) month period will be required to repeat the invalid portion.

Candidates who fail a full attempt or any portion of a second retest must submit official documentation of remedial training over all skills before starting the next full attempt of the psychomotor examination and re-examining over all six (6) skills, provided all other requirements for National Certification are fulfilled. This official documentation must be signed by the Paramedic Training Program Director or Physician Director of training/operations that verifies remedial training over all skills has occurred since the last unsuccessful attempt and the candidate has demonstrated competence in all skills.

Documentation may be emailed to support@nremt.org, faxed to 1-614-888-8920, or sent to 6610 Busch Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43229.

Should a candidate fail the second full and final attempt of the psychomotor examination, the candidate must complete a new, state-approved and CAAHEP-accredited Paramedic Education Program.

Related Videos

A CRITICAL FAIL EXAMPLE: INTEGRATED OUT OF HOSPITAL SCENARIO

DETAILED OVERVIEW OF THE INTEGRATED OUT OF HOSPITAL SCENARIO (IOOH)


 

HOW AN IOOH SCENARIO IS SCORED

 
PSYCHOMOTOR EXAM COMPLAINTS

Candidates with a complaint about the psychomotor exam must initiate the complaints in-person with the National Registry Exam representative during the exam. Complaints will not be valid after the exam has concluded and will not be accepted if the complaint is raised after the candidate receives their exam results. Complaints may be filed for only two (2) reasons:

  • The candidate feels they have been discriminated against. Any situation that can be documented in which the candidate believes an unfair evaluation of your abilities occurred might be considered discriminatory.
  • There was an equipment problem or malfunction during the candidate's performance in any skill.

If either of these two things occur, the candidate must contact the National Registry Exam Representative immediately to initiate the complaint process. The National Registry Representative will supply the necessary complaint forms to be completed in writing. The Quality Assurance Committee, comprised of the Physician Medical Director, the Examination Coordinator, and the National Registry Representative, will review the concerns and make a final determination related to the complaint.

EXAM RESULTS

Unofficial results are generally provided to the candidates on the day of the psychomotor exam.

Official exam results are posted on the National Registry’s password-secure website through an individual’s login account, within four weeks.

Remember, candidates are required to successfully complete BOTH the psychomotor and the cognitive examinations to qualify for national certification.

Emergency Medical Responder and Emergency Medical Technician psychomotor examinations are managed and approved by the State EMS Office. Due to this, the approval process varies from state-to-state. The methods for reporting pass/fail results regarding psychomotor examinations are also managed in a variety of methods. If you pass the cognitive examination and the National Registry website does not indicate you obtained National EMS Certification then you should contact your instructor to determine who was responsible for reporting your results to the National Registry.

Advanced Level (Advanced EMT and Paramedic) psychomotor exam results are provided to the National Registry by an approved National Registry Advanced Level Representative.

ADVANCED LEVEL EXAM COORDINATOR RESOURCES
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT INFORMATION

The National Registry complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and offers reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Pearson VUE test centers are also ADA compliant. Complete information about the National Registry Accommodations Disability Policy can be found here.

EMR & EMT Exam Psychomotor Exam Accommodations

All candidates must complete the psychomotor examination in the same standardized format. The presentation of any skill may not be altered to accommodate a candidate’s request without first obtaining approval from the State EMS Office. The State EMS Official or approved agent is not authorized to individually make any determination for accommodation of the psychomotor examination. For example, it is not appropriate to move the Simulated Patient in the Patient Assessment/Management – Trauma skill from the floor to an examination table at the candidate’s request because the candidate is physically unable to bend down and assess a patient found lying on the floor. The psychomotor examination is intended to present simulated patients with realistic situations that approximate the candidate’s ability to function in the out-of-hospital environment. The State EMS Official or approved agent and all Skill Examiners must remain vigilant for any situation that may alter the normal presentation of any skill other than that which is intended throughout the psychomotor examination. When in doubt, contact the State EMS Office for assistance.