EMT Certification Renewal: CE Hours & Fees by State
As an EMT, your certification is not just a piece of paper — it represents the skills and knowledge that communities depend on in life-threatening emergencies. Keeping your certification current through timely renewal is a professional obligation. Requirements vary by state, with differences in renewal periods, continuing education hours, fees, and whether NREMT recertification is accepted. This guide covers renewal requirements across all 51 states in our database.
All data below is pulled from our verified state databases. Click any state to see its full certification details and sources.
Renewal Overview
51
States Tracked
51
Require CE Hours
$0
Lowest Renewal Fee
$37
Avg. Renewal Fee
Complete Renewal Comparison Table
The table below shows EMT renewal requirements for all 51 states, sorted by renewal period. Click any state for full details.
| State | Period | Renewal Fee | EMT CE Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 years | Aligned with NREMT recertification cycle | 40 hrs |
| Alaska | 2 years | $100 | 40 hrs |
| Arizona | 2 years | $30 | 40 hrs |
| Arkansas | 2 years | $20 | 40 hrs |
| California | 2 years | $37 (EMSA) + LEMSA fees vary | 24 hrs |
| Connecticut | 2 years | $155 | 40 hrs |
| Delaware | 2 years | $25 | 40 hrs |
| District of Columbia | 2 years | $45 | 40 hrs |
| Florida | 2 years | $50 | 40 hrs |
| Georgia | 2 years | $75 | 40 hrs |
| Hawaii | 2 years | Contact agency | 72 hrs |
| Indiana | 2 years | $50 | 56 hrs |
| Iowa | 2 years | $15 | 40 hrs |
| Kansas | 2 years | $30 | 28 hrs |
| Kentucky | 2 years | $60 | 24 hrs |
| Louisiana | 2 years | $10 | 40 hrs |
| Maine | 2 years | $30 | 52 hrs |
| Massachusetts | 2 years | $26 | 40 hrs |
| Minnesota | 2 years | $37.50 | 40 hrs |
| Mississippi | 2 years | $35 | 40 hrs |
| Montana | 2 years | $15 | 40 hrs |
| Nebraska | 2 years | $35 | 40 hrs |
| Nevada | 2 years | $36 | 24 hrs |
| New Hampshire | 2 years | $80 | 40 hrs |
| New Mexico | 2 years | $35 | 40 hrs |
| North Dakota | 2 years | $25 | 40 hrs |
| Oklahoma | 2 years | $22.50 | 40 hrs |
| Oregon | 2 years | $50 | 36 hrs |
| Rhode Island | 2 years | $20 | 40 hrs |
| South Dakota | 2 years | $20 | 20 hrs |
| Tennessee | 2 years | $25 | 20 hrs |
| Utah | 2 years | $45 | 40 hrs |
| Vermont | 2 years | $50 | 40 hrs |
| West Virginia | 2 years (NREMT); 4 years (state SETS) | $15 | 40 hrs |
| Wyoming | 2 years | $20 | 40 hrs |
| Colorado | 3 years | $75 | 36 hrs |
| Idaho | 3 years (EMR/EMT); 2 years (AEMT/Paramedic) | $35 | 40 hrs |
| Maryland | 3 years | $25 | 24 hrs |
| Michigan | 3 years | $25 | 30 hrs |
| New Jersey | 3 years | $35 | 48 hrs |
| Ohio | 3 years | $40 | 40 hrs |
| Pennsylvania | 3 years | $0 | 24 hrs |
| Washington | 3 years | $0 | 40 hrs |
| Wisconsin | 3 years | $22 | 40 hrs |
| Illinois | 4 years | $50 | 60 hrs |
| New York | 4 years | $0 | 50 hrs |
| North Carolina | 4 years (state); 2 years (NREMT) | $25 | 40 hrs |
| South Carolina | 4 years | $20 | 40 hrs |
| Texas | 4 years | $64 | 72 hrs |
| Virginia | 4 years | $30 | 40 hrs |
| Missouri | 5 years | $25 | 100 hrs |
Renewal Periods by State
Most states renew EMT certifications on a 2-year cycle aligned with the NREMT recertification schedule, but some states differ. Here is how states group by renewal period:
2 years Renewal Period (34 states)
2 years (NREMT); 4 years (state SETS) Renewal Period (1 state)
3 years Renewal Period (8 states)
3 years (EMR/EMT); 2 years (AEMT/Paramedic) Renewal Period (1 state)
4 years Renewal Period (5 states)
4 years (state); 2 years (NREMT) Renewal Period (1 state)
5 years Renewal Period (1 state)
Continuing Education Requirements
51 of 51 states require continuing education hours for EMT renewal. EMT continuing education typically focuses on maintaining clinical competency in areas like trauma care, cardiac emergencies, airway management, and medical emergencies.
States Requiring EMT CE Hours (51)
Topics: Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Pediatric emergencies, Sensory/invisible disability training (1 hr/yr per Abram Colin Act)
Topics: Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Pediatric emergencies, Traffic Incident Management (4 hours, new 2025 requirement)
Topics: Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Pediatric emergencies
Topics: Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Pediatric emergencies
Topics: Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Pediatric emergencies, Skills Competency Verification (required in addition to CE hours)
Topics: Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Pediatric emergencies
Topics: Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Pediatric emergencies
Topics: Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Pediatric emergencies
Topics: Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Pediatric emergencies
Topics: NREMT NCCP requirements, State-specific topics as required, Skills verification
Topics: NREMT NCCP requirements (if using NREMT recertification pathway), 24-hour refresher course plus 48 hours CE (alternative pathway)
Topics: 40 hours CE over 2-year cycle for EMT, Mandatory mental health/wellness training (starting July 2025), TIM (Traffic Incident Management) training required
Topics: 24 hours with specific topic distribution requirements, NREMT recertification accepted as alternative, All CE must be through an authorized Iowa sponsor
Topics: 28 hours CE for EMT over 2-year cycle, State-approved CE topics, If expired >2 years, must retake full course
Topics: NCCP model: 20 national hours + 10 state hours, NCCP 2025 model required starting January 2026, NREMT recertification accepted
Topics: 40 hours NCCP continuing education, NREMT recertification required (license aligned with NREMT expiration)
Topics: NREMT card accepted as substitute for CE requirements, Renewal matches NREMT expiration (can extend to 3 years)
Topics: 40 hours NCCP-compliant continuing education, Airway management, Patient assessment, Trauma care, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Pediatric emergencies
Topics: 40 hours NCCP-compliant continuing education, Airway management, Patient assessment, Trauma care, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Pediatric emergencies
Topics: 16 hours continuing education for EMT, Airway management, Patient assessment, Trauma care, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety
Topics: 40 hours NCCP-compliant continuing education, Airway management, Patient assessment, Trauma care, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Pediatric emergencies
Topics: 40 hours NCCP-compliant continuing education, Interim 30 hours due by March 31 of odd-numbered years, Airway management, Patient assessment, Trauma care, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Pediatric emergencies
Topics: 24 hours CE plus skills verification for EMT, Airway management, Patient assessment, Trauma care, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety
Topics: 40 hours NCCP-compliant continuing education, Airway management, Patient assessment, Trauma care, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Pediatric emergencies
Topics: NREMT NCCP requirements (aligned with NREMT recertification), 40hrs EMT-B, 50hrs EMT-I, 60hrs Paramedic, Skills verification
Topics: NREMT NCCP requirements (40hrs EMT), State-specific topics as required, Skills verification
Topics: NCCP model: EMR 16 hrs, EMT 40 hrs, AEMT 50 hrs, Paramedic 60 hrs per 2-year cycle
Topics: EMR 12 hrs, EMT 24 hrs, AEMT 36 hrs, EMT-I 36 hrs, Paramedic 48 hrs per 2-year cycle, No more than 50% of CE from self-study
Topics: EMT 40 hrs, EMT-Cardiac 50 hrs, Paramedic 60 hrs (NCCP model) per 2-year cycle
Topics: NCCP topics (40 hours) or state alternative (24 hours), Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Current CPR card required
Topics: NCCP model topics, Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety
Topics: 40 hours approved CME, Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety
Topics: 40 hours NCCP topics, Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety
Topics: 40 hours NCCP topics, Annual HazMat training (3 hours), BLS Protocol Review (2 hours), Biennial MCI/Disaster training (2 hours), Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety
Topics: 55 hours total (49 content area + flexible hours), Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety
Topics: Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety, Pediatric emergencies
Topics: 40 hours NCCP continuing education, NREMT renewal satisfies CE requirements
Topics: 12 hours didactic CE, 12 hours skills-based CE, Annual Maryland Medical Protocols updates (mandatory), Airway management, Patient assessment, Trauma care, Medical emergencies
Topics: 30 hours CE for EMT, 36 hours CE for AEMT, 45 hours CE for Paramedic, Airway management, Patient assessment, Trauma care, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety
Topics: 48 hours total: 24-hour refresher (Modules A, B, C) + 24 hours elective CE, Module A: Airway/ventilation and patient assessment, Module B: Trauma and medical emergencies, Module C: Special populations and operations, 24 hours elective continuing education
Topics: 40 hours total (or 30hr refresher + 10 CE, prorated), NREMT recertification accepted as alternative, Mandatory Dementia Awareness Training (one-time), Mandatory Trauma Triage course (one-time), Mandatory Rescue Task Force course (one-time)
Topics: EMR: 16 hrs/3yr (12 clinical), EMT: 24 hrs/3yr (18 clinical), AEMT: 36 hrs/2yr, Paramedic: 36 hrs/2yr (27 clinical), Free CE available through TRAIN PA
Topics: 15 hours CME (or OTEP alternative), Does NOT follow NREMT NCCP model, Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety
Topics: 40 hours via one of three pathways: NREMT recertification, 40-hour refresher course, or 40 hours WI curriculum CE, Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety
Topics: 60 hours CE over 4-year cycle for EMT, Must include 1 hour of Alzheimer's/dementia training per cycle, State-approved CE topics
Topics: NCCP-aligned continuing education (50hrs EMT per 48-month cycle), State-specific topics as required, Skills verification
Topics: 80 hours over 4-year credential cycle, State-specific topics as required, Skills verification
Topics: EMT 40 hrs, AEMT 50 hrs, Paramedic 60 hrs (NCCP model, through NREMT 2-year cycle), Both FBI and state background check required for every certification and recertification
Topics: 54 hours content area CE, 18 hours flexible CE, Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety
Topics: 40 hours over 4 years (BLS), New NCCP requirements effective March 2026, Airway and ventilation, Cardiovascular, Trauma, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety
Topics: 100 hours CE over 5 years for EMT-B, Current CPR/BLS certification required, NREMT recertification accepted in lieu of 100 CE hours, Airway management, Patient assessment, Trauma care, Medical emergencies, Operations and safety
Most Common CE Topics
These are the most frequently required CE topics across all states:
| Topic | States Requiring |
|---|---|
| Medical emergencies | 30 |
| Operations and safety | 29 |
| Airway and ventilation | 20 |
| Cardiovascular | 20 |
| Trauma | 20 |
| Pediatric emergencies | 15 |
| Airway management | 10 |
| Patient assessment | 10 |
| Trauma care | 10 |
| Skills verification | 5 |
| 40 hours NCCP-compliant continuing education | 5 |
| State-specific topics as required | 4 |
| NREMT recertification accepted as alternative | 2 |
| State-approved CE topics | 2 |
| 40 hours NCCP continuing education | 2 |
NREMT Recertification
The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) requires recertification every 2 years. Many states accept NREMT recertification in lieu of or in addition to state-specific renewal requirements. Understanding whether your state accepts NREMT recertification can simplify the renewal process, especially if you hold certifications in multiple states.
States Accepting NREMT Recertification (44)
States Requiring Skills Verification (51)
These states require hands-on skills verification as part of the renewal process, typically including patient assessment, airway management, and cardiac arrest management:
Tips for a Smooth Renewal
- Understand NREMT vs. state certification. These are two separate credentials. Your NREMT certification and state certification may have different expiration dates and renewal requirements. Track both deadlines independently and know which renewal satisfies which requirement in your state.
- Complete skills verification early. If your state requires skills verification, schedule it well before your expiration date. These sessions may have limited availability and you do not want to miss your renewal window because you could not find an open slot.
- Stay current on protocol updates. EMS protocols evolve as new evidence emerges. Renewal CE is an opportunity to stay current on changes to cardiac arrest management, stroke protocols, trauma care, and medication administration guidelines in your region.
- Spread CE hours across the renewal cycle. Rather than cramming all continuing education into the last few months, complete CE hours steadily throughout your certification period. This reduces stress and helps you retain what you learn.
- Keep documentation organized. Save all CE completion certificates, skills verification records, and renewal confirmations. Some states perform random audits, and having organized records will save you significant trouble.
- Budget for renewal costs. Between renewal fees ($0-$155), CE course costs, and skills verification fees, renewal expenses can add up. Plan ahead so costs do not catch you off guard.
- Do not let your certification lapse. Practicing as an EMT with an expired certification is illegal and puts you and your patients at serious legal and safety risk. Most states require additional steps — and sometimes re-testing — to reinstate an expired certification.
Next Steps
Find your state in the table above and click through for the complete renewal details including sources. Also explore our other EMT guides:
- How to Become an EMT in 2026: State-by-State Guide
- EMT Certification Requirements by State — Full Comparison Table
Sources
Renewal data is sourced from official state EMS offices, departments of health, and EMS regulatory agencies, and verified against published certification renewal rules and fee schedules.
- Individual state EMS regulatory agency websites (cited on each state page).
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) — recertification policies and requirements.
- Published state EMS fee schedules and continuing education rule documents.
Data was last verified in early 2026. Renewal fees, CE requirements, and recertification policies can change as states update their regulations. Always confirm current renewal requirements with your state's EMS office before your certification expiration date.
Recertification Study Materials
Exam prep and CE resources for EMT certification renewal.
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