AEMT - Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians
- Cost: $144
- Renews every 2-3 years
COURSE FORMAT
About
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).
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
Completion Time: Candidates have 2.25 hours to complete the AEMT exam
Cost: $144 Cognitive Exam Fee
Course Format
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 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete it. Exam topics include:
Airway, Respiration & Ventilation (18-22%)
Cardiology & Resuscitation (21-25%)
Trauma (14-18%)
Medical, Obstetrics & Gynecology (26-30%)
EMS Operations (11-15%)
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.
Arrive at the testing center 30 minutes before exam time
Bring 2 forms of identification
Store personal items in provided lockers
Food and drinks aren’t allowed in the testing room
Take the software tutorial before the exam
For online proctored exams, applicants must use a computer with a camera, microphone, and internet connection. Review details for technical requirements and take the system test.
Log in to the Pearson VUE testing platform 30 minutes before the appointment time
Download the Pearson VUE software
Complete the check-in process performed by a Pearson VUE test administrator, including a system check, identification check, and environment check
Examinees must be alone, in a quiet, well-lit space, with the computer on a table or desk
No food, drinks, headphones, electronics, or notes are permitted
The live proctor remains present throughout the test for questions
Certification
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
Renewal
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
Late Renewal: $50 + $26
Continuing Education
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.
Other Resources
Related Certifications
Frequently asked questions
Can I still renew my AEMT certification if I no longer work in direct care?
AEMTs can place their certification on inactive status if they’re no longer working in direct care.
What if I need to reschedule or cancel my AEMT certification exam?
If you need to reschedule or cancel your AEMT certification exam, call Pearson VUE at least 1 business day before your exam appointment at 866-673-6896 or log in to your Pearson VUE account to change your appointment. The fee is $25 to reschedule or cancel the exam.
What’s the difference between an EMT and an AEMT?
Having the EMT certification is a prerequisite of the AEMT. An AEMT has advanced emergency medical care knowledge and can perform some extra tasks compared to an EMT.
Does NREMT offer the psychomotor exam for the AEMT certification?
No, NREMT doesn’t administer the psychomotor exam. It only administers the cognitive exam. After passing the AEMT exam, you receive a Psychomotor Authorization to Test (PATT) which you use to schedule the psychomotor exam. Refer to the NREMT’s psychomotor exam location page for locations and more information.
What if my AEMT certification expires before I renew it?
If your AEMT certification has expired, you have until April 30th to submit the application and pay a $50 late fee. However, CEUs must have been completed before the March 31st expiration date.