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How to become a certified EMT or Paramedic in Illinois. NREMT accepted. EMT training: 120-150 hours. Total initial EMT cost: $45 (application) + $104 (NREMT exam) + course tuition. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
EMT / Paramedic
Governing Authority
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of EMS and Highway Safety
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79% of data points are verified against official sources. 6 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
No
NREMT Required?
120-150
EMT Training Hours
4 levels
Certification Levels
$45 (application) + $104 (NREMT exam) + course tuition
EMT Initial Cost
4 years
Renewal Period
60 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
Illinois requires a minimum of 206 hours for EMT training, which exceeds the national standard of 150 hours. NREMT has been required for initial licensure since April 2020. Training programs must be approved by IDPH. Military service members may qualify for fee waivers.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedAccepted
NREMT Certification
Not Required
Cognitive Exam
Not Required
Psychomotor Exam
Yes
State-Specific Exam
NREMT Details
Illinois has required NREMT certification for initial licensure since April 2020. NREMT is NOT required for recertification; the state has its own CE requirements. 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
Since April 2020, Illinois requires the NREMT cognitive exam for initial licensure. The psychomotor exam is administered by the state. No additional state-specific written exam.
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 Illinois must operate under the authority of a licensed physician medical director. Each EMS system must have approved 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 Initial application fee | $50 |
State License Fee Included in application fee | $45 |
Renewal Fee Per 4-year renewal cycle; duplicate license $10 | $20 |
Total Initial EMT Cost Reciprocity fee is $120 ($75 + $45); military fee waivers available | $45 (application) + $104 (NREMT exam) + course tuition |
Total Initial Paramedic Cost Does not include textbooks, uniforms, or equipment; military fee waivers available | $45 (application) + $104 (NREMT exam) + program tuition |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified4 years
Renewal Period
60 hrs
EMT CE Hours
100 hrs
Paramedic CE Hours
Required
Skills Verification
NREMT Recertification Not Accepted for State Renewal
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$50
Per 4-year renewal cycle
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; NOT an EMS Compact member state
Transfer Details
Illinois accepts out-of-state EMS providers through a reciprocity process. Applicants must hold current NREMT certification or equivalent out-of-state certification. The reciprocity fee is $120 ($75 reciprocity fee + $45 application fee).
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.
Illinois has a 4-year renewal cycle (longer than most states). The 206-hour EMT training minimum exceeds the national 150-hour standard. Mandatory Alzheimer's/dementia CE hour per cycle. NREMT required for initial (since April 2020) but not recertification. Military fee waivers available. Applicants must be fluent in English.
Illinois has required NREMT certification for initial licensure since April 2020, but does NOT require NREMT for recertification.
Illinois has a 4-year renewal cycle, which is longer than most states' 2-year cycles.
The 206-hour EMT training minimum exceeds the national standard of 150 hours.
Mandatory 1 hour of Alzheimer's/dementia CE training per renewal cycle.
Military service members may qualify for fee waivers.
Reciprocity fee is $120 ($75 reciprocity + $45 application).
Duplicate license fee is $10.
Applicants must be fluent in English.
Illinois is NOT an EMS Compact member state.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Illinois.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#21 of 51
Cost
#6 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
$37,680
25th percentile
Median
$40,780
-1% vs. national avg ($41,340)Experienced
$50,380
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
8,480 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+202% salary growth potential
You are here
EMT
$40,780
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
You are here
EMT
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
$40,780
Paramedic program (1-2 years) + NREMT-P
$59,110
Master's in PA Studies + PANCE
$122,990
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.
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides and practice tests for the NREMT certification exam.
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Illinois accepts NREMT certification for EMS providers. EMT training requires 120-150 hours. All certification is managed through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of EMS and Highway Safety.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state EMS office.