Loading...
Loading...
How to become a certified EMT or Paramedic in Pennsylvania. NREMT certification required. EMT training: 120-150 hours. Total initial EMT cost: $104. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
EMT / Paramedic
Governing Authority
Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
57% of data points are verified against official sources. 20 fields based on preliminary research. 6 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
$104
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.
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.
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
| 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 |
Total Initial Paramedic Cost Approximate: $104 NREMT/Pearson exam fee (excludes course tuition and FBI fingerprint fees). No separate state application fee confirmed. | $104 |
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.
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.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Pennsylvania.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#34 of 51
Cost
#14 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
$35,800
25th percentile
Median
$38,580
-7% vs. national avg ($41,340)Experienced
$45,000
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
9,810 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+224% salary growth potential
You are here
EMT
$38,580
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
You are here
EMT
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
$38,580
Paramedic program (1-2 years) + NREMT-P
$57,670
Master's in PA Studies + PANCE
$124,880
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.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services — Licensing Requirements
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the NREMT certification exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
Training programs, NREMT exam prep, state-by-state requirements, reciprocity details, and career advancement pathways — delivered to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.
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.