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How to become a certified EMT or Paramedic in Mississippi. NREMT certification required. EMT training: 120-150 hours. Total initial EMT cost: $800 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) + $35 (state cert) + $50 (SAFER background). Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
EMT / Paramedic
Governing Authority
Mississippi State Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
84% of data points are verified against official sources. 7 fields based on preliminary research. 3 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
$800 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) + $35 (state cert) + $50 (SAFER background)
EMT Initial Cost
2 years
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, 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
12
Clinical Rotation
Notes
Mississippi EMT training includes 110 hours didactic, 12 hours clinical, and 5 emergency ambulance runs. TABE score of 10 or ACT score of 16 is required for entry. Application processing takes 4-6 weeks.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
NREMT Certification
Required
Cognitive Exam
Required
Psychomotor Exam
No
State-Specific Exam
NREMT Details
Mississippi requires NREMT for initial certification. NREMT recertification is accepted for renewal, or state CE may be used instead. 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. Mississippi is an EMS Compact member state.
State Exam Details
No separate state exam; NREMT used for certification
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 Mississippi must operate under the authority of a licensed physician medical director. Each ambulance service 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 and institution | $800-$2,000 |
Paramedic Course Cost Varies by program and institution | $7,000-$14,000 |
NREMT Exam Fee NREMT EMT cognitive exam fee (increased from $70 in 2025) | $80 |
State Application Fee State certification fee | $35 |
State License Fee SAFER fingerprint background check fee (separate from certification) | $50 |
Renewal Fee Per 2-year renewal cycle | $15 |
Total Initial EMT Cost Approximate minimum; does not include textbooks or equipment | $800 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) + $35 (state cert) + $50 (SAFER background) |
Total Initial Paramedic Cost Approximate minimum; does not include textbooks or equipment | $7,000 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) + $35 (state cert) + $50 (SAFER background) |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
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
Per 2-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; EMS Compact member state
Transfer Details
Mississippi is an EMS Compact member state. Out-of-state EMTs from compact states can practice under their home-state license. Non-compact state applicants need current NREMT or equivalent certification. SAFER fingerprint background check required. Processing takes 4-6 weeks.
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.
Mississippi requires 5 emergency ambulance runs as part of training and a TABE 10 or ACT 16 score for program entry. The SAFER fingerprint system is used for background checks ($50 fee). Application processing takes 4-6 weeks. Mississippi is an EMS Compact member state.
Mississippi requires 5 emergency ambulance runs as part of EMT training requirements.
A TABE score of 10 or ACT score of 16 is required for EMT program entry.
Mississippi uses the SAFER fingerprint system for background checks ($50 fee).
Application processing typically takes 4-6 weeks.
NREMT recertification OR state CE can be used for renewal.
Mississippi is an EMS Compact (REPLICA) member state, allowing cross-state EMS practice.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Mississippi.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#45 of 51
Cost
#30 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
$28,130
25th percentile
Median
$35,980
-13% vs. national avg ($41,340)Experienced
$38,940
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
1,300 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+191% salary growth potential
You are here
EMT
$35,980
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
You are here
EMT
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
$35,980
Paramedic program (1-2 years) + NREMT-P
$51,290
Master's in PA Studies + PANCE
$104,570
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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Mississippi requires NREMT certification for EMS providers. EMT training requires 120-150 hours. All certification is managed through the Mississippi State Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state EMS office.