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How to become a certified EMT or Paramedic in Idaho. NREMT certification required. EMT training: 120-150 hours. Total initial EMT cost: $0 (license) + $104 (NREMT exam) + background check fee + course tuition. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
EMT / Paramedic
Most information on this page has been verified.
80% of data points are verified against official sources. 5 fields based on preliminary research. 7 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
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.
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.
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
| 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 |
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.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
NREMT-Based Reciprocity Available
Reciprocity Type
NREMT-based; EMS Compact member state
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.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Idaho.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#27 of 51
Cost
#1 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Emergency Medical Technicians (SOC 29-2042)
Entry Level
$31,690
25th percentile
Median
$39,430
-5% vs. national avg ($41,340)Experienced
$46,030
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
700 employed in this state
Note: BLS EMT category includes EMT-Basic level. Paramedics (EMT-P) are classified separately under SOC 29-2043 with higher wages.
Source: BLS OEWS – Emergency Medical Technicians (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+8.8%
High DemandNew Jobs
+12,900
over 10 years
Annual Openings
19,600
per year (avg.)
147,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Emergency Medicine Career Ladder+227% salary growth potential
You are here
EMT
$39,430
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
You are here
EMT
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
$39,430
Paramedic program (1-2 years) + NREMT-P
$62,640
Master's in PA Studies + PANCE
$129,000
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: ~null weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Idaho Bureau of Emergency Medical Services — Licensing Requirements
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Idaho Bureau of Emergency Medical Services — Licensing Requirements
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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.