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How to become a certified EMT or Paramedic in Washington. NREMT certification required. EMT training: 120-150 hours. Total initial EMT cost: Course + $104 (NREMT) + $0 (state fees) + possible background check. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
EMT / Paramedic
Governing Authority
Washington State Department of Health, Office of Community Health Systems, EMS & Trauma Section
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
84% of data points are verified against official sources. 10 fields based on preliminary research. 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) + $0 (state fees) + possible background check
EMT Initial Cost
3 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
Washington EMT training programs must meet NHTSA National EMS Education Standards. Agency affiliation and Medical Program Director approval are required. Washington does NOT follow the NREMT NCCP model for recertification and uses its own CME or OTEP pathways instead.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
NREMT Certification
Required
Cognitive Exam
Required
Psychomotor Exam
No
State-Specific Exam
NREMT Details
Washington requires NREMT for initial certification but does NOT require NREMT for recertification. Washington uses its own renewal pathways (CME or OTEP) and does NOT follow the NREMT NCCP model. 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 up to 3 attempts within 12 months. Psychomotor exam is administered by the state.
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.
Retake Policy
Washington allows up to 3 exam attempts within 12 months. NREMT standard policy: 6 attempts with a 15-day waiting period between attempts. After the 3rd failed attempt, 24 hours of remedial training 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 Washington must operate under the authority of a Medical Program Director. Each county/region has a Medical Program Director who approves credentials and 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 Washington charges NO certification fees | $0 |
State License Fee Washington charges NO certification fees | $0 |
Renewal Fee Washington charges NO certification fees for renewal | $0 |
Total Initial EMT Cost Washington charges NO state certification fees; only NREMT and course costs apply | Course + $104 (NREMT) + $0 (state fees) + possible background check |
Total Initial Paramedic Cost Washington charges NO state certification fees; only NREMT and course costs apply | Course + $104 (NREMT) + $0 (state fees) + possible background check |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified3 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
$0
Washington charges NO certification fees for renewal
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
Washington accepts reciprocity applications with current NREMT certification. Washington is NOT an EMS Compact member state. Agency affiliation and Medical Program Director approval are 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.
Washington charges NO certification fees at all, making it one of the most affordable states. The state has a 3-year certification cycle with only 15 CE hours required per cycle, one of the lowest in the nation. Washington does NOT follow the NREMT NCCP model for recertification, using its own CME or OTEP pathways instead. Agency affiliation and Medical Program Director approval are required. Candidates get up to 3 exam attempts within 12 months, which is more restrictive than the standard NREMT 6-attempt policy.
Washington charges NO certification fees at all, making it one of the most affordable states for EMS certification.
Washington has a 3-year certification cycle.
Only 15 CE hours required per 3-year cycle for EMTs, one of the lowest requirements in the nation.
Washington does NOT follow the NREMT NCCP model for recertification; uses its own CME or OTEP pathways.
Agency affiliation and Medical Program Director approval are required for certification.
Up to 3 exam attempts within 12 months (more restrictive than NREMT standard 6 attempts).
Background check may include fingerprint-based WA State Patrol + FBI check.
Washington is NOT an EMS Compact member state.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Washington.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#5 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
$39,810
25th percentile
Median
$48,850
+18% vs. national avg ($41,340)Experienced
$54,060
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
3,280 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+221% salary growth potential
You are here
EMT
$48,850
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
You are here
EMT
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
$48,850
Paramedic program (1-2 years) + NREMT-P
$100,780
Master's in PA Studies + PANCE
$156,990
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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Washington requires NREMT certification for EMS providers. EMT training requires 120-150 hours. All certification is managed through the Washington State Department of Health, Office of Community Health Systems, EMS & Trauma Section.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state EMS office.