How to Become an EMT in Arkansas
Checked against Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Section of Emergency Medical Services ·
- Exam
- Required
- Training
- Required
- Term
- 2 years
- State fee
- An initial license fee set by Arkansas Code 20-13-211 applies; ADH's EMS pages do not state the amount. You may qualify for a waiver of the initial fee (Act 725 of 2021) if you receive Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, TEA or Lifeline, were approved for unemployment in the last 12 months, or earn no more than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- Certified by
- Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Section of Emergency Medical Services
Who can apply
- You must complete an ADH-accredited EMT program, including all classroom, clinical and field internship requirements.
- You must pass the Arkansas practical skills exam (or have documented verification of skills proficiency) and complete the NREMT certification process.
- You must hold an ADH-approved CPR certification that follows American Heart Association guidelines and includes a hands-on skills test for healthcare providers.
- You must complete state and/or federal criminal history checks, depending on where you live.
Step by step
- Complete an ADH-accredited EMT program, including the clinical and field internship.
- Pass the Arkansas practical skills exam, or have your skills proficiency documented as the rule allows.
- Pass the National Registry (NREMT) EMT cognitive exam and become NREMT certified.
- Get an ADH-approved healthcare-provider CPR card.
- Apply for initial licensure in the Arkansas EMS licensing portal, pay the fee, and complete the state and/or federal criminal history check.
- Keep your NREMT certification current and renew your Arkansas license on the same cycle.
Training and exam
Training: You must finish an EMT program accredited by the Arkansas Department of Health, including all didactic (classroom), clinical and field internship parts. You may not provide patient care without a current Arkansas EMS license.
Exam: Arkansas requires both the Arkansas practical skills exam (or documented verification of skills proficiency) and completion of the NREMT certification process, which includes the NREMT cognitive exam. NREMT charges $104 per cognitive exam attempt.
What it costs in Arkansas
Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.
- $
- $104
- $
- $
Cost details from the state
- NREMT EMT exam application: $104 per attempt (set by NREMT).
- State and/or federal criminal history check; the applicant pays. ADH does not list the amount on its EMS pages.
- EMT program tuition and CPR card; costs vary.
Keeping your certification
Renewal: Your Arkansas license follows your NREMT expiration date, and NREMT renewal is required. EMTs need 40 hours of CE: 20 hours on NREMT-required topics, 10 hours on Arkansas topics (Arkansas Trauma System 2, pediatrics 2, stroke 2, cardiology 2, documentation 1, ethics and professionalism 1), and 10 hours of individual EMS-related CE. You also need current ADH-approved CPR. If selected for audit, you have 15 business days to send proof. If CE is done by your expiration date you may still renew late within two years. If you lapse without finishing CE, you need the missing hours plus 12 extra EMT hours (lapsed two years or less); after two years you must meet initial licensure requirements again.
Good to know in Arkansas
Moving from another state: Reciprocity requires a current, unrestricted, substantially similar EMS license from another U.S. jurisdiction, current NREMT certification, proof of every state where you have held an EMS license, a completed application and fee, and an Arkansas state and federal criminal history check that you pay for. Provisional licenses are not eligible.
Service members, veterans and spouses: Under Act 135 of 2021, ADH grants automatic licensure to qualifying uniformed service members, veterans and spouses who hold a similar license in good standing elsewhere and current NREMT certification, and who pay the criminal history fees. A temporary license is issued on receipt of the application, fee and documents.
Never nationally certified: EMTs who have never held national certification must still finish all education requirements before their state license expires to renew.
Extensions: To ask for more time to renew, send ADH a letter with the reason and documents at least 30 days before your expiration date.
EMS Compact: Arkansas participates in the EMS Compact. If you hold a current, unrestricted EMT license from another participating Compact state, you can work in Arkansas under a Privilege to Practice with no separate application or fee, as long as you work for an authorized EMS agency under a medical director and follow Arkansas's scope of practice and protocols.
Sources
- ADH - EMS Provider Applications
- ADH - License Renewal Information for EMSP
- 20 CAR 81-109 - Education, testing, and licensure of EMS providers (Code of Arkansas Rules)
- 20 CAR 81-113 - EMSP education program prerequisites (Code of Arkansas Rules)
- NREMT EMT Candidate Handbook - Certification Process
- EMS Compact - Participating States
Other states
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General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Section of Emergency Medical Services before you apply.