Loading...
Loading...
How to become a certified EMT or Paramedic in Virginia. NREMT certification required. EMT training: 120-150 hours. Total initial EMT cost: Course + $104 (NREMT) + state fees (not publicly posted) + background check. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
EMT / Paramedic
Governing Authority
Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS)
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
77% of data points are verified against official sources. 10 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
Course + $104 (NREMT) + state fees (not publicly posted) + background check
EMT Initial Cost
4 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 therapy, 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 and cardioversion, transcutaneous pacing, needle chest decompression, surgical cricothyrotomy, comprehensive medication administration, and rapid sequence intubation where authorized
NREMT Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Training Program Requirements
Verified120-150
EMT Training Hours
1,200
Paramedic Hours
Notes
Virginia EMT training programs must meet NHTSA National EMS Education Standards. Challenge pathways are available for RN, LPN, NP, PA, MD, DO, and military personnel. A Legal Recognition pathway is available for out-of-state providers (1-year maximum, no NREMT required). Minimum age is 16 with parental consent.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
NREMT Certification
Required
Cognitive Exam
Required
Psychomotor Exam
No
State-Specific Exam
NREMT Details
Virginia requires NREMT for initial certification. NREMT recertification is accepted but not required for renewal. The NREMT cognitive exam is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) with 70-120 questions for EMT level, a 2-hour time limit, and costs $104 per attempt. A scaled passing score of 950/1500 is required. Candidates are allowed 6 attempts with a 15-day waiting period between attempts. Psychomotor exam is administered by the state. New NCCP requirements effective March 2026.
State Exam Details
No state-specific exam. NREMT cognitive and/or psychomotor exam required for certification.
Passing Score
NREMT uses Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT). EMT exam has 70-120 questions with a 2-hour time limit. A scaled passing score of 950/1500 is required. Cost is $80 per attempt. AEMT state exam costs $159.
Retake Policy
NREMT allows 6 attempts with a 15-day waiting period between attempts. After the 3rd failed attempt, candidates must complete 24 hours of remedial training. After 6 failed attempts, full course completion is required.
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 Virginia 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 |
|---|---|
NREMT Exam Fee NREMT EMT cognitive exam fee (increased from $70 in 2025) | $80 |
State Application Fee Virginia does not publicly post standard EMS certification fees | $30 |
State License Fee Virginia does not publicly post standard EMS certification fees | Not publicly posted |
Renewal Fee Virginia does not publicly post standard EMS certification fees | Not publicly posted |
Total Initial EMT Cost Approximate total; does not include course tuition, textbooks, or equipment | Course + $104 (NREMT) + state fees (not publicly posted) + background check |
Total Initial Paramedic Cost Approximate total; does not include course tuition, textbooks, or equipment | Course + $104 (NREMT) + state fees (not publicly posted) + background check |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified4 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
$30
4-year BLS renewal; 3-year ALS renewal; new NCCP requirements effective March 2026
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
Virginia is an EMS Compact member state. Reciprocity is available with current NREMT certification. A Legal Recognition pathway is available for out-of-state providers (1-year maximum, no NREMT required). Challenge pathways available for RN/LPN/NP/PA/MD/DO and military personnel.
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.
Virginia allows EMS certification at age 16 with parental consent, one of the youngest minimum ages in the nation. The 4-year BLS certification period is one of the longest. Background checks via FieldPrint are required for ALL EMS agency members, not just providers. A Legal Recognition pathway allows out-of-state providers to practice for up to 1 year without NREMT. Challenge pathways are available for RN/LPN/NP/PA/MD/DO and military personnel. New NCCP requirements take effect March 2026.
Virginia allows certification at age 16 with parental consent, one of the youngest minimum ages in the nation.
Virginia has a 4-year BLS certification period, one of the longest in the nation.
Background checks via FieldPrint are required for ALL EMS agency members, not just providers.
Challenge pathways are available for RN, LPN, NP, PA, MD, DO, and military personnel.
A Legal Recognition pathway is available for out-of-state providers (1-year maximum, no NREMT required).
New NCCP requirements take effect in March 2026.
NREMT recertification is accepted but not required for renewal.
Virginia is an EMS Compact (REPLICA) member state, allowing cross-state EMS practice.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Virginia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#17 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
$37,900
25th percentile
Median
$45,060
+9% vs. national avg ($41,340)Experienced
$48,630
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
3,780 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+201% salary growth potential
You are here
EMT
$45,060
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
You are here
EMT
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
$45,060
Paramedic program (1-2 years) + NREMT-P
$58,570
Master's in PA Studies + PANCE
$135,490
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.
Source: Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) — Licensing Requirements
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) — 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.
Virginia requires NREMT certification for EMS providers. EMT training requires 120-150 hours. All certification is managed through the Virginia 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.