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EMT / Paramedic
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Yes
NREMT Required?
120-150
EMT Training Hours
4 levels
Certification Levels
$0 (license) + $104 (NREMT exam) + background check fee + course tuition
EMT Initial Cost
3 years (EMR/EMT); 2 years (AEMT/Paramedic)
Renewal Period
40 hrs
EMT CE Hours
Training Hours
60 hours
Scope of Practice
Basic emergency care including bleeding control, CPR, AED use, oxygen administration, and basic patient assessment
NREMT Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Training Hours
120-150 hours
Scope of Practice
BLS care including patient assessment, vital signs monitoring, oxygen therapy, bag-valve-mask ventilation, CPR/AED, splinting, bleeding control, assisted medication administration (epinephrine auto-injector, nitroglycerin, albuterol), emergency childbirth, and spinal motion restriction
NREMT Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Training Hours
350 hours
Scope of Practice
All EMT-Basic skills plus IV/IO access, fluid administration, supraglottic airway devices, blood glucose monitoring, CPAP, and limited medication administration per protocol
NREMT Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Training Hours
1,200 hours
Scope of Practice
All AEMT skills plus endotracheal intubation, cardiac monitoring/12-lead ECG, manual defibrillation/cardioversion, transcutaneous pacing, needle chest decompression, surgical cricothyrotomy, comprehensive medication administration, and RSI where authorized
NREMT Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Training Program Requirements
Verified120-150
EMT Training Hours
1,200
Paramedic Hours
Notes
Idaho requires 112-144 hours of training for EMT certification. Training programs must be approved by the Idaho Bureau of EMS. EMT candidates may be as young as 16 years old. AEMT and Paramedic candidates must be at least 18. All personnel must be affiliated with an Idaho EMS agency.
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
NREMT Certification
Required
Cognitive Exam
Required
Psychomotor Exam
No
State-Specific Exam
NREMT Details
Idaho requires NREMT certification for initial licensure. NREMT renewal satisfies continuing education requirements for recertification. The NREMT cognitive exam is CAT format with 70-120 questions for EMT level, 2-hour time limit, $104 per attempt, scaled score passing at 950/1500, up to 6 attempts with 15-day wait between attempts. Psychomotor exam is administered by the state.
State Exam Details
Idaho relies on NREMT cognitive and psychomotor exams. No separate state-specific written exam is required.
Passing Score
NREMT cognitive exam uses computer adaptive testing (CAT) with 70-120 questions for EMT level. Scaled score passing threshold is 950 out of 1500. The exam adapts difficulty based on candidate performance.
Retake Policy
NREMT allows up to 6 attempts with a 15-day waiting period between attempts. After the 3rd failed attempt, candidates must complete 24 hours of remedial training. After 6 failed attempts, full course completion is required. Exam fee is $80 per attempt.
Didn't pass on the first try? Learn what to do if you fail the NREMT.
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
NREMT (EMT Certification Exam)
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EMT Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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NREMT Cognitive Exam
Questions
120 questions
Time Limit
2 hours
Passing Score
NREMT cognitive exam uses computer adaptive testing (CAT) with 70-120 questions for EMT level. Scaled score passing threshold is 950 out of 1500. The exam adapts difficulty based on candidate performance.
Format
Computer adaptive testing (CAT)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $80Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the NREMT Cognitive Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — NREMT Certification Exam
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Study guides and practice tests for the NREMT certification exam.
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What Each Level Can Do
VerifiedOnline Medical Direction (Real-Time)
Real-time physician contact via radio or phone for consultation on patient care decisions beyond standing orders
Offline Medical Direction (Standing Orders)
Standing orders and protocols developed by the EMS medical director that authorize specific treatments without real-time physician contact
Protocol Requirements
All EMS providers in Idaho must operate under the authority of a licensed physician medical director. Each EMS agency must have approved medical protocols.
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Drug Screening
CPR/BLS Certification
Immunizations Required
Driver's License Required
Not sure if you need a emt license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
NREMT Exam Fee NREMT EMT cognitive exam fee (increased from $70 in 2025) | $80 |
State Application Fee No fee for EMR/EMT license; $35 for AEMT/Paramedic | $35 |
State License Fee EMR/EMT license fee is $0; AEMT/Paramedic is $35 | $0 |
Renewal Fee EMT renewal is $0; AEMT/Paramedic renewal is $35; background check fee separate | $0 |
Total Initial EMT Cost EMT license itself is free; does not include course costs | $0 (license) + $104 (NREMT exam) + background check fee + course tuition |
Total Initial Paramedic Cost Does not include textbooks, uniforms, or equipment | $35 (license) + $104 (NREMT exam) + background check fee + program tuition |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified3 years (EMR/EMT); 2 years (AEMT/Paramedic)
Renewal Period
40 hrs
EMT CE Hours
60 hrs
Paramedic CE Hours
Required
Skills Verification
NREMT Recertification Accepted for State Renewal
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$35
Background check fee separate
Regulatory Board
EMS certifications must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering patient assessment, trauma care, cardiac emergencies, and applicable protocol updates.
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our emt license renewal guide.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
NREMT-Based Reciprocity Available
Reciprocity Type
EMS Compact (REPLICA) member state; also accepts out-of-state license or NREMT certification as pathway for initial licensure.
Transfer Details
Idaho is an EMS Compact member state (4th state to enact, March 2016). EMS personnel from other compact states can practice in Idaho under the compact privilege. Non-compact state applicants may apply through NREMT-based reciprocity. Must be affiliated with an Idaho EMS agency.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
EMT/Paramedic reciprocity is often facilitated through NREMT certification. States that require NREMT typically allow easier transfer for certified providers. Always verify current reciprocity policies with your state EMS office.
See all EMS Compact (REPLICA) member states & eligibility details →
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Idaho with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Idaho allows EMT certification at age 16 (one of the youngest in the nation). EMT license fee is $0. EMT renewal cycle is 3 years instead of the typical 2 years. Idaho was the 4th state to enact the EMS Compact (March 2016). All personnel must be affiliated with an Idaho EMS agency.
Minimum age for EMT certification is 16 years old, one of the lowest in the nation. AEMT and Paramedic require age 18.
EMT license renewal is every 3 years (not 2 years like most states). AEMT/Paramedic renewal is every 2 years.
EMR/EMT license fee is $0; AEMT/Paramedic license fee is $35.
NREMT renewal satisfies continuing education requirements.
All EMS personnel must be affiliated with an Idaho EMS agency to maintain licensure.
Idaho is an EMS Compact (REPLICA) member state, allowing cross-state EMS practice.
EMT requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho (you) | $0 (license) + $104 (NREMT exam) + background check fee + course tuition | |
| Montana | $800 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) + $50 (state application) | → |
| Nevada | $1,000 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) + $37 (certificate) + $61 (attendant license) | → |
| Oregon | $214 | → |
| Utah | Course + $104 (NREMT) + $10 (document verification) + $74 (background check) | → |
Other professional licenses in Idaho
See how Idaho compares: EMT License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
✓ REPLICA Compact State — Idaho is a member of the EMS Compact (REPLICA). Licensed emts from other member states may be eligible for expedited practice privileges.
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Idaho.
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Official Sources
EMT requirements in Idaho verified against Idaho Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, March 2026.
Moving to Idaho? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your EMT license to Idaho →
Idaho requires NREMT certification for EMS providers. EMT training requires 120-150 hours. All certification is managed through the Idaho Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state EMS office.
EMT Schools in Idaho
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.