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How to become a certified EMT or Paramedic in New Jersey. NREMT accepted. EMT training: 120-150 hours. Total initial EMT cost: $1,000 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam). Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
EMT / Paramedic
Governing Authority
New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS)
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
80% of data points are verified against official sources. 8 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)
EMT Initial Cost
3 years
Renewal Period
48 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
New Jersey requires approximately 190 hours for EMT training. Only NJ-OEMS approved courses are accepted. The minimum enrollment age is 16, with provisional certification available for minors ages 16-17. Full certification requires age 18. NJ transitioned from a state exam to NREMT. Initial certification card is valid only 12-18 months.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedAccepted
NREMT Certification
Not Required
Cognitive Exam
Not Required
Psychomotor Exam
Yes
State-Specific Exam
NREMT Details
New Jersey transitioned from a state exam to NREMT for initial certification. NREMT recertification is NOT required for renewal; NJ uses CE-based renewal 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.
State Exam Details
New Jersey transitioned from a state-specific exam to the NREMT exam. No separate state exam is currently required.
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 New Jersey 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 NJ-OEMS approved program | $1,000-$2,500 |
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 Minimal/no separate state certification fee | $35 |
Renewal Fee Per renewal cycle. Replacement card $5. | $35 |
Total Initial EMT Cost Minimal/no state certification fee; does not include textbooks or equipment | $1,000 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) |
Total Initial Paramedic Cost Minimal/no state certification fee; does not include textbooks or equipment | $8,000 (program) + $104 (NREMT exam) |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified3 years
Renewal Period
48 hrs
EMT CE Hours
60 hrs
Paramedic CE Hours
Required
Skills Verification
NREMT Recertification Not Accepted for State Renewal
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$35
Minimal/no state renewal fee
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
No NREMT-Based Reciprocity
Reciprocity Type
NREMT-based; NOT an EMS Compact member state
Transfer Details
New Jersey accepts out-of-state EMTs with current NREMT certification. Applicants must apply through NJ-OEMS. Not an EMS Compact member state.
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.
New Jersey allows enrollment in EMT training at age 16 with provisional certification for minors. NJ transitioned from a state exam to NREMT. Only NJ-OEMS approved courses are accepted. Initial certification card is valid only 12-18 months (shorter than standard). Renewal uses a unique Refresher Modules A, B, C structure (24 hrs) plus 24 hrs elective CE. Minimal/no state certification fees. Not an NOT an EMS Compact member.
New Jersey allows enrollment in EMT training at age 16, with provisional certification for minors (16-17). Full certification requires age 18.
NJ transitioned from a state-specific exam to NREMT for initial certification.
NREMT recertification is NOT required for renewal; NJ uses CE-based renewal with Refresher Modules A, B, C structure.
Only NJ-OEMS approved training courses are accepted.
Initial certification card is valid only 12-18 months (shorter than the standard 3-year cycle).
Renewal requires 48 hours: 24-hour refresher (Modules A, B, C) plus 24 hours elective CE.
Minimal/no state certification fee; replacement card is $5.
New Jersey is NOT an EMS Compact member state.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New Jersey.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#3 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
$45,900
25th percentile
Median
$49,500
+20% vs. national avg ($41,340)Experienced
$56,760
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
5,630 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+184% salary growth potential
You are here
EMT
$49,500
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
You are here
EMT
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
$49,500
Paramedic program (1-2 years) + NREMT-P
$80,100
Master's in PA Studies + PANCE
$140,490
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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New Jersey accepts NREMT certification for EMS providers. EMT training requires 120-150 hours. All certification is managed through the New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS).
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state EMS office.