How to Become an EMT in Pennsylvania

Checked against Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (with the Regional EMS Councils) · Verified 2026-10-17

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 3 years
State fee: See state office
Certified by: Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (with the Regional EMS Councils)

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Who can apply

You must be at least 16 years old (28 Pa. Code 1023.25).
You must complete a Department-approved EMT course and hold a current CPR card from a course the Department accepts.
You must report any misdemeanor or felony convictions (not summary offenses), any professional discipline and any exclusion from Medicare or Medicaid, and arrange for certified court records to be sent to the Department (28 Pa. Code 1023.21).

Step by step

Complete a Department-approved EMT course at a Pennsylvania EMS educational institute.
Apply on the Pennsylvania EMS Registry (New Provider Application).
Take the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania EMS Psychomotor Exam at a Regional EMS Council within one year of finishing the course.
Take the NREMT EMT cognitive exam by computer, also within one year of finishing the course.
Pass both exams within two years of finishing the course.
The Department issues your Pennsylvania EMT certification.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: You must complete a Department-approved EMS provider course for EMTs. Pennsylvania courses must meet the 2021 National EMS Education Standards, the National EMS Scope of Practice and the Pennsylvania EMS Scope of Practice (EMS Information Bulletin 2024-07). The rules do not set an hour count.

Exam: Two exams. The practical exam is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania EMS Psychomotor Exam, run by the Regional EMS Councils. Since 2025 it is one station: patient assessment and management plus one assigned skill, scored pass or fail. The written exam is the NREMT EMT cognitive exam, taken by computer. You must make your first attempts within one year of finishing your course and pass within two years. After three failures of either exam you need a refresher (written) or remedial course (practical) before three more tries. After six failures, or two years, you must repeat the course.

Practice for the NREMT EMT exam free — airway, cardiology, trauma, medical and EMS operations →

What it costs in Pennsylvania

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

NREMT EMT cognitive exam (NREMT lists $104 per attempt)$
EMT course tuition$
Endorsement background checks (FBI and state)(optional)$

Estimated total in Pennsylvania$0Plus 2 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

NREMT lists its EMT cognitive exam fee as $104 per attempt.
EMT course tuition varies by educational institute.
CPR course fee varies.
Endorsement (out-of-state) applicants pay for their own state and FBI background checks and any fees their home state charges to verify their certification.

Pay in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania adds a local income tax on top of the state rate, so look up the local rate for your area before you budget.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: EMT certification registration lasts 3 years. Register again on the EMS Registry at least 30 days before it expires. You qualify by either passing the Department's EMT practical and written registration exams, or completing 24 hours of Department-approved CE (at least 18 in clinical patient care and core topics) plus a CPR course every two years (28 Pa. Code 1023.31). Pennsylvania does not require you to keep NREMT certification. If your registration lapses, you can register again within two years by passing the written registration exam and the required core CE.

Good to know in Pennsylvania

Moving from another state (endorsement): Apply for Certification by Endorsement on the EMS Registry. Have every state where you have held EMS certification send Pennsylvania an Out of State EMS Provider Verification Form. You also need official state criminal history checks from those states and your home state, an FBI fingerprint check (IdentoGo code 1KG756) no more than 90 days old, a current PA-approved CPR card and your current NREMT or state card.

Reporting convictions: After you are certified, you must report any new reportable conviction, discipline or health program exclusion within 30 days.

Returning military: EMTs whose registration expired during active duty, or will expire within 12 months after returning, can get more time to finish CE and may ask to have military training count toward it.

Endorsement: in-person ID check: Before final approval of certification by endorsement, you must appear in person at a Regional EMS Council to verify your identity.

Practical exam may be changing: EMS Information Bulletin 2024-07 says that effective January 1, 2026 the Department will set Student Minimum Competencies for EMR and EMT and transition away from the formal practical exam. Ask your course or Regional EMS Council which practical requirement applies when you finish.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (with the Regional EMS Councils) before you apply.