AEMT - Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians

The Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMT) certification validates the knowledge and skills of professionals who already hold the state license or EMT certification and who provide out-of-hospital medical care and transportation for emergent and critical patients. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) offers the AEMT exam, accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Completion Time: Candidates have 3 hours to complete the AEMT exam

Cost: $159 Cognitive Exam Fee

Exam Format

The AEMT certification consists of a cognitive exam by NREMT and a psychomotor exam offered by the state EMS office or the applicant's training institution. The NREMT cognitive exam offered includes 135 multiple-choice questions and 35 pilot questions. Candidates have 3 hours to complete it. Exam topics include:

• Airway, Respiration & Ventilation (9-13%)

• Cardiology & Resuscitation (11-15%)

• Trauma (7-11%)

• Medical, Obstetrics & Gynecology (25-29%)

• EMS Operations (6-10%)

• Clinical Judgement (31-35%)

Exam Registration

After payment, applicants receive an Authorization to Test (ATT). ATTs appear on the applicant’s NREMT account; it won’t be mailed or emailed. ATTs are valid for 90 days. To view ATTs:

• Log in to the NREMT account 

• Click “CBT Candidate”

• Hit “My Applications”

• Click “Application Status/ATTs”

• Choose “Current Applications”

• Select “Print/View Authorization to Test Letter”

To register, applicants must sign in or create a Pearson VUE Web account with the National Registry Candidate ID from the ATT letter. Applicants may schedule exam appointments up to 1 day in advance.

Test Dates

Applicants can register to take the exam anytime based on availability at their selected Pearson VUE Testing Center. Examinees may also take the exam at home via Pearson VUE’s online proctoring platform, OnVUE.

Test Results

Test results are available 1 to 2 days after the test, and NREMT posts results on the applicant’s account. To access results:

• Log in to the NREMT account 

• Select “View All Certification Applications”

• Click “View All Certification Applications”

• Select “Results”

• Click “Print Exam Results”

After passing the AEMT exam, NREMT provides candidates with a Psychomotor Authorization to Test (PATT) to schedule the psychomotor exam.

Eligibility

To be eligible to take the AEMT exam, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Hold the EMT state license, EMT certification, or a higher certification

• Complete a state-approved AEMT course within the last 2 years that meets the National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards, with verified completion by the program director on the National Registry website

• Hold a current CPR-BLS for healthcare providers, or an equivalent credential

Application Process

Applicants may apply for the exam 4 weeks before program completion with approval from the program director. Once the applicant meets the course requirements, NREMT approves the application.

• Log in or create an account on the NREMT website

• Click “Create Certification Application” from the CBT Candidate Dashboard

• Verify personal information

• Select a preferred delivery method of credentials

• Select “AEMT” under Application Registry Level

• Answer Criminal Convictions and License Discipline Disclosures

• Click “Agree and Submit”

• Enter course information

• Enter current State/NREMT Certification

• Enter CPR information

• Review the application, then click “Next”

• Agree to the attestation

Candidates must pay their AEMT exam fee once NREMT approves their applications. To submit payment:

• Log in to the NREMT account 

• Select “CBT Candidate”

• Click “View All Certification Applications”

• Select “Application Payment”

• Complete payment information

AEMT certification is valid for 2 to 3 years, depending on when the applicant passed both the cognitive and psychomotor exams. If the applicant passes the final exam between January 1 and June 30, the certification expires 2 years later on March 31st. If the applicant passes the final exam between July 1 and December 31, the certification expires 3 years later on March 31. To renew, AEMTs must retake the exam or complete Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Recertification by Exam

The exam must be taken and passed by March 31st of the expiration year.

• Log in to the NREMT account

• Select “My Certification”

• Select “Recert by Exam,” then “Application”

• Complete the application

• Insert payment information

• Print ATT and schedule exam

• Submit the “Cognitive Competency by Exam form” to NREMT after passing the exam

Recertification by CEUs

To recertify by CEUs, applicants must:

• Enter CEU information in the NREMT account

• Enter agency affiliation information

• Validate skills competency

• Submit electronic recertification application

Renewal Fees

• Renewal: $26 (effective until September 30, 2025)

• Renewal: $30 (effective October 1, 2025)

• Late Renewal: $50 + renewal fee

To recertify through continuing education, AEMTs must complete a total of 50 CEUs. Each CEU category has a minimum number of CEUs and a maximum number of Distributive Education (DE) hours. DE hours involve education where the educator and student aren’t interacting in real-time, such as during online courses and videos.

CEU categories:

• National: minimum 25 CEUs, with a maximum of 8 DEs

• Local: minimum 12.5 CEUs with a maximum of 8 DEs

• Individual: minimum 12.5 CEUs with a maximum of 12.5 DEs

For full CEU Requirements, refer to the Recertification Handbook.

• AEMT Education Standards

• AEMT Exam Handbook

• 2020 AHA Guidelines

Other related certifications include:

• Emergency Medical Responders (EMR)

• Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT)

• National Registered Paramedics (Paramedic)