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EMT / Paramedic
Governing Authority
Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Yes
NREMT Required?
120-150
EMT Training Hours
4 levels
Certification Levels
$104 (NREMT EMT exam fee only; no state application fee)
EMT Initial Cost
3 years
Renewal Period
24 hrs
EMT CE Hours
Training Hours
60 hours
Scope of Practice
Basic emergency care including CPR, AED, bleeding control, splinting, and oxygen administration
NREMT Required
Yes
Training Hours
120-150 hours
Scope of Practice
BLS care including patient assessment, airway management, oxygen therapy, splinting, spinal immobilization, assisted medication administration, and basic trauma care
NREMT Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Training Hours
350 hours
Scope of Practice
EMT scope plus IV access, IO access, basic cardiac monitoring, and limited medication administration
NREMT Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Training Hours
1,400 hours
Scope of Practice
Full ALS scope including advanced airway management, cardiac monitoring and 12-lead ECG interpretation, cardioversion, defibrillation, external pacing, extensive medication administration, IV/IO access, and needle decompression
NREMT Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Training Program Requirements
Verified120-150
EMT Training Hours
1,400
Paramedic Hours
Notes
Pennsylvania also recognizes 'Prehospital RN' and 'Prehospital Physician Extender' categories in addition to standard EMR, EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic levels. EMT minimum age is 16 (one of the youngest in the country). Free CE available through TRAIN PA. 13 Regional EMS Council offices provide oversight and support.
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
NREMT Certification
Required
Cognitive Exam
Required
Psychomotor Exam
No
State-Specific Exam
NREMT Details
NREMT required for initial certification (cognitive + psychomotor). NOT required for renewal. Cognitive exam: CAT format, 70-120 questions for EMT, 2-hour limit, $104/attempt via Pearson Testing. Passing score 950/1500. 6 attempts allowed, 15-day wait between attempts, 24-hr remedial training after 3rd failure.
State Exam Details
State exam administered through Pearson Testing at $80 (same as NREMT cognitive exam fee)
Passing Score
NREMT scaled score 950/1500
Retake Policy
6 attempts allowed. 15-day wait between attempts. 24-hour remedial training required after 3rd failure.
Didn't pass on the first try? Learn what to do if you fail the NREMT.
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
NREMT (EMT Certification Exam)
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EMT Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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NREMT Cognitive Exam
Questions
120 questions
Time Limit
2 hours
Passing Score
NREMT scaled score 950/1500
Format
Computer adaptive testing (CAT)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $80Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the NREMT Cognitive Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — NREMT Certification Exam
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Study guides and practice tests for the NREMT certification exam.
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What Each Level Can Do
VerifiedOnline Medical Direction (Real-Time)
Required; EMS providers must operate under medical direction from a licensed physician
Offline Medical Direction (Standing Orders)
Standing orders and protocols provided by agency medical director; overseen by 13 Regional EMS Council offices
Protocol Requirements
Must follow agency medical director protocols; 13 Regional EMS Council offices provide oversight across the state
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Drug Screening
CPR/BLS Certification
Immunizations Required
Driver's License Required
Not sure if you need a emt license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
NREMT Exam Fee NREMT EMT cognitive exam fee (increased from $70 in 2025) | $80 |
State Application Fee No separate state application fee confirmed. Exam fee ($104) paid to Pearson Testing. | $0 |
Renewal Fee Free CE available through TRAIN PA. No renewal fee confirmed separately. | $0 |
Total Initial EMT Cost Approximate: $104 NREMT/Pearson exam fee (excludes course tuition and FBI fingerprint fees). No separate state application fee confirmed. | $104 (NREMT EMT exam fee only; no state application fee) |
Total Initial Paramedic Cost Approximate: $104 NREMT/Pearson exam fee (excludes course tuition and FBI fingerprint fees). No separate state application fee confirmed. | $104 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified3 years
Renewal Period
24 hrs
EMT CE Hours
36 hrs
Paramedic CE Hours
Required
Skills Verification
NREMT Recertification Accepted for State Renewal
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$0
No renewal fee confirmed. Free CE available via TRAIN PA.
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.
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our emt license renewal guide.
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
Pennsylvania is an EMS Compact member state. Compact members may practice under their home state license. Non-compact applicants must hold current NREMT certification and complete FBI fingerprint-based background check (must be no more than 90 days old as of January 2026).
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.
See all EMS Compact (REPLICA) member states & eligibility details →
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Pennsylvania with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Min age 16 for EMT; 3-year EMR/EMT cycle (unusual); one of largest volunteer EMS systems in US; recognizes 'Prehospital RN' and 'Prehospital Physician Extender'; 13 Regional EMS Council offices; FBI background mandatory before application since Jan 2026; free CE via TRAIN PA
Minimum age 16 for EMT certification (one of the youngest in the nation); 18 for AEMT and Paramedic
3-year certification cycle for EMR and EMT (unusual; most states use 2-year cycles)
2-year certification cycle for AEMT and Paramedic
NREMT NOT required for renewal (only initial certification)
Recognizes 'Prehospital RN' and 'Prehospital Physician Extender' categories
One of the largest volunteer EMS systems in the United States
13 Regional EMS Council offices provide oversight and support
FBI fingerprint-based background check mandatory before application since January 2026 (must be no more than 90 days old)
Free CE available through TRAIN PA
PA EMS Registry: https://ems.health.pa.gov/registry/
Pennsylvania is an EMS Compact (REPLICA) member state, allowing cross-state EMS practice.
EMT requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Pennsylvania
See how Pennsylvania compares: EMT License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
✓ REPLICA Compact State — Pennsylvania is a member of the EMS Compact (REPLICA). Licensed emts from other member states may be eligible for expedited practice privileges.
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Pennsylvania.
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EMT requirements in Pennsylvania verified against Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, March 2026.
Moving to Pennsylvania? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your EMT license to Pennsylvania →
Transfer your EMT license from Pennsylvania to: Delaware → | Maryland → | New Jersey → | New York → | Ohio → | West Virginia →
Pennsylvania requires NREMT certification for EMS providers. EMT training requires 120-150 hours. All certification is managed through the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state EMS office.
EMT Schools in Pennsylvania
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.