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How to become a certified EMT or Paramedic in Michigan. NREMT accepted. EMT training: 120-150 hours. Total initial EMT cost: $1,000 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) + $40 (state application). Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
EMT / Paramedic
Governing Authority
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of EMS, Trauma, and Preparedness
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
82% of data points are verified against official sources. 7 fields based on preliminary research. 4 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
$1,000 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) + $40 (state application)
EMT Initial Cost
3 years
Renewal Period
30 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, oxygen administration, BVM 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
Michigan requires 226 hours minimum for EMT certification, which exceeds the national standard (~150 hours). Online-only CPR certification is NOT accepted. Applicants must apply within 2 years of completing their training course.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedAccepted
NREMT Certification
Not Required
Cognitive Exam
Not Required
Psychomotor Exam
Yes
State-Specific Exam
NREMT Details
Michigan requires NREMT for initial certification only (one-time requirement). NREMT is NOT required for recertification; Michigan uses state CE-based renewal. NREMT cognitive exam is CAT format, 70-120 questions for EMT, 2-hour time limit, $104/attempt, scaled score of 950/1500 to pass, up to 6 attempts with 15-day wait between attempts. Psychomotor exam is administered by the state.
State Exam Details
No separate state exam; NREMT used for initial certification only
Passing Score
NREMT uses computer adaptive testing (CAT) with 70-120 questions for EMT level, 2-hour time limit. Scaled passing score is 950/1500. No fixed percentage.
Retake Policy
NREMT allows up to 6 attempts with a 15-day waiting period between attempts. After 3 failed attempts, 24 hours of remedial training required. $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 Michigan must operate under the authority of a licensed physician medical director. Each EMS agency must have approved protocols.
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Drug Screening
CPR/BLS Certification
Immunizations Required
Driver's License Required
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
EMT Course Cost Varies by program; higher due to 226-hour minimum requirement | $1,000-$3,000 |
Paramedic Course Cost Varies by program and institution | $8,000-$16,000 |
NREMT Exam Fee NREMT EMT cognitive exam fee (increased from $70 in 2025) | $80 |
State Application Fee In-state initial application fee | $25 |
State License Fee Out-of-state/endorsement application fee | $175 |
Renewal Fee Per 3-year renewal cycle | $175 |
Total Initial EMT Cost In-state applicant; does not include textbooks or equipment | $1,000 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) + $40 (state application) |
Total Initial Paramedic Cost In-state applicant; does not include textbooks or equipment | $8,000 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) + $40 (state application) |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified3 years
Renewal Period
30 hrs
EMT CE Hours
45 hrs
Paramedic CE Hours
Required
Skills Verification
NREMT Recertification Accepted for State Renewal
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$25
Per 3-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
Michigan accepts out-of-state EMTs through endorsement. Out-of-state/endorsement application fee is $175. Current NREMT or equivalent out-of-state certification required.
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.
Michigan requires 226 hours minimum for EMT training, significantly exceeding the national standard (~150 hours). NREMT is needed only once for initial certification and is not required for recertification. Online-only CPR is not accepted. Applicants must apply within 2 years of course completion. In-state initial fee is only $40, but out-of-state endorsement is $175.
Michigan requires 226 hours minimum for EMT, which significantly exceeds the national standard of ~150 hours.
NREMT is needed only once for initial certification; not required for recertification.
Online-only CPR certification is NOT accepted in Michigan.
Applicants must apply within 2 years of completing their training course.
MI State Police ICHAT background check is required but is not fingerprint-based.
Out-of-state/endorsement application fee is $175 compared to $40 for in-state.
Michigan is NOT an EMS Compact member state.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Michigan.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#32 of 51
Cost
#37 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
$37,030
25th percentile
Median
$38,890
-6% vs. national avg ($41,340)Experienced
$44,830
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
4,160 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+239% salary growth potential
You are here
EMT
$38,890
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
You are here
EMT
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
$38,890
Paramedic program (1-2 years) + NREMT-P
$50,320
Master's in PA Studies + PANCE
$131,980
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
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Michigan accepts NREMT certification for EMS providers. EMT training requires 120-150 hours. All certification is managed through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of EMS, Trauma, and Preparedness.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state EMS office.