How to Become an EMT in Minnesota

Who can apply

• You must complete the U.S. Department of Transportation EMT course, or an equivalent approved by the OEMS director (Minn. Stat. 144E.28).
• You must pass the written and practical exams approved by the director: the NREMT cognitive exam and the NREMT psychomotor exam.
• You must hold a current NREMT card when you apply.
• Minnesota has no minimum age for state EMS certification.
• The director may deny certification for a felony, or for gross misdemeanors or misdemeanors involving assault, sexual misconduct, theft, or illegal drug or alcohol use.

Step by step

1. Complete an initial EMT course through an OEMS-approved Minnesota education program.
2. Pass the NREMT cognitive exam and the NREMT psychomotor exam. Minnesota's EMT psychomotor exams are overseen by OEMS staff and run by OEMS-approved agents.
3. Earn NREMT EMT certification.
4. Create an account on the Minnesota EMS eLicense portal (emslm.mn.gov) and submit the EMT, AEMT, Paramedic Initial Application.
5. Wait for the approval email, then log in and click Generate Card to get your certification card.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: State law requires the U.S. DOT EMT course or an equivalent approved by the director. Minnesota has adopted the National EMS Education Standards, and courses must be given by an OEMS-approved education program. Programs may require a Department of Human Services background study for students who do clinical work with patients.

Exam: Minnesota uses the NREMT exams for initial EMT certification: you must pass both the NREMT cognitive exam and the NREMT psychomotor exam. OEMS staff oversee the EMT psychomotor exam, which approved agents run on the state's behalf under NREMT guidelines. NREMT charges $104 per cognitive exam attempt.

What it costs in Minnesota

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: Certification is renewed every two years and expires on March 31 (the year depends on when you were first certified). Before it expires, complete a CPR course approved by the director or your medical director, then either take the EMT refresher course and pass its practical skills test, or complete 48 hours of continuing education and pass a director-approved practical skills test. Then file the renewal application. You may also renew by keeping NREMT certification; Minnesota's state-only routes do not require NREMT.

Good to know in Minnesota

No minimum age: Minnesota does not have a minimum age to get state EMS certification. NREMT dropped its own age requirement in 2020 and defers to states.

Reciprocity: If you hold current NREMT certification from another jurisdiction, the director may certify you at the same level after you file an application. That certification lasts for the rest of your current certification period, up to two years.

Expiration date: Your first expiration date is always March 31. For example, if you are first certified between January 1 and June 30 of an even year, you expire March 31 of the next even year.

Expired certification: Within four years after expiration, you can reinstate by showing training equal to the renewal continuing education and filing an application. After more than four years you must repeat the initial certification process.

Sources

• Minnesota OEMS - Become an EMS provider
• Minnesota OEMS - Initial Certification Instructions (PDF)
• Minnesota OEMS - Education Program Compliance Manual (2025)
• Minn. Stat. 144E.28 - Certification of EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic
• Minn. Stat. 144E.29 - Fees
• NREMT - EMT Candidate Handbook, Certification Process