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How to become a certified EMT or Paramedic in Montana. NREMT certification required. EMT training: 120-150 hours. Total initial EMT cost: $800 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) + $50 (state application). Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
EMT / Paramedic
Governing Authority
Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Emergency Care Providers Program
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
Yes
NREMT Required?
120-150
EMT Training Hours
4 levels
Certification Levels
$800 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) + $50 (state application)
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
Notes
Montana EMT training requires approximately 170 hours. Montana uses ECP (Emergency Care Provider) terminology. SB 518 (2025 session, eff Jan 1, 2026) transferred individual ECP licensing from Board of Medical Examiners to DLI. DPHHS retains EMS agency licensing. High school diploma is required.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
NREMT Certification
Required
Cognitive Exam
Required
Psychomotor Exam
No
State-Specific Exam
NREMT Details
Montana requires NREMT for both initial certification and recertification at all levels. 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. Montana uses ECP (Emergency Care Provider) terminology. SB 518 (2025 session, eff Jan 1, 2026) transferred individual ECP licensing from Board of Medical Examiners to DLI (Department of Labor and Industry). DPHHS retains EMS agency licensing (ambulances, transport services).
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 Montana 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 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 EMT initial application; $70 for AEMT | $15 |
State License Fee EMT; $70 for AEMT; late renewal is double the fee | $50 |
Renewal Fee EMT per 2-year cycle; $70 for AEMT; late renewal = double fee | $50 |
Total Initial EMT Cost Does not include textbooks or equipment | $800 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) + $50 (state application) |
Total Initial Paramedic Cost Does not include textbooks or equipment | $7,000 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) + $70 (state application) |
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
$15
EMT per 2-year cycle; late renewal = double fee ($100)
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
Montana accepts out-of-state EMTs with current NREMT certification. Application through DLI Emergency Care Providers Program (post-SB 518 transition). Background check 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.
SB 518 (2025 session, eff Jan 1, 2026) transferred individual ECP licensing from Board of Medical Examiners to DLI. DPHHS retains EMS agency licensing. The state uses ECP (Emergency Care Provider) terminology. License prefixes changed from MED- to ECP-. Renewal window is very narrow (September 1 - October 31) with March 31 expiration. Late renewal incurs double the fee. NREMT required for both initial and recertification.
SB 518 (2025 session, eff Jan 1, 2026) transferred individual ECP licensing from Board of Medical Examiners to DLI (Department of Labor and Industry). DPHHS retains EMS agency licensing (ambulances, transport services). License number prefixes changed from MED- to ECP-. Fees and biennial renewal cycle (March 31) unchanged.
Montana uses ECP (Emergency Care Provider) terminology for EMS certification levels.
Renewal window is narrow: September 1 through October 31, with certification expiring March 31.
Late renewal incurs double the regular fee.
NREMT is required for both initial certification and recertification.
High school diploma is explicitly required.
Montana is NOT an EMS Compact member state.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Montana.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#47 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
$30,560
25th percentile
Median
$34,900
-16% vs. national avg ($41,340)Experienced
$38,970
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
680 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+281% salary growth potential
You are here
EMT
$34,900
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
You are here
EMT
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
$34,900
Paramedic program (1-2 years) + NREMT-P
$49,360
Master's in PA Studies + PANCE
$132,980
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
Study guides and practice tests for the NREMT certification exam.
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Montana requires NREMT certification for EMS providers. EMT training requires 120-150 hours. All certification is managed through the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Emergency Care Providers Program.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state EMS office.