How to Become an EMT in Virginia

Who can apply

• You must be at least 16 on the first day of the EMT course. Students under 18 need a signed parental permission form.
• You must be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.
• You must have no physical or mental impairment that would stop you from doing all EMT practical skills.
• You must hold a current OEMS-approved CPR certification by the end of the course, and it must be current at testing.
• You must not have convictions or other prohibited conduct listed in state EMS regulation 12VAC5-31-910.

Step by step

1. Enroll in a Virginia OEMS-approved EMT course.
2. Get an OEMS-approved CPR certification by the course end date.
3. Pass the terminal psychomotor (skills) competency exam built into your course.
4. Pass the National Registry (NREMT) EMT cognitive exam at a Pearson VUE center or by OnVUE remote proctoring.
5. Once you pass, NREMT and Virginia certification are issued. If you trained in Virginia, do not apply for reciprocity; Virginia certification is processed automatically, usually within 7 days.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: You must complete an EMT course approved by Virginia OEMS. Skills (psychomotor) competency is verified inside the BLS training program through a terminal psychomotor competency exam, so there is no separate external skills test for EMT. The state page does not list a minimum hour count.

Exam: Virginia requires all EMS students to certify through the National Registry. EMT candidates take the NREMT cognitive exam at a Pearson VUE test center or remotely through Pearson OnVUE. NREMT charges $104 per EMT exam attempt. Passing gives you both NREMT and Virginia certification.

What it costs in Virginia

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

How long it takes

Virginia-trained students are usually certified within 7 days after passing the NREMT exam.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: Virginia EMT certification lasts four years from the end of the month it is issued (12VAC5-31-1315). To recertify, complete 40 CE hours: 20 national component hours (airway 4, cardiovascular 5, trauma 3, medical 6, operations 2) and 20 local/individual hours, under the 2025 Virginia requirements that apply after your first recertification on or after October 1, 2023. All CE must be on file with OEMS before your expiration date. Recertification is automatic on the first day of your expiration month once requirements are met. If you also keep NREMT, use the Recertify Me option in the Virginia EMS Portal after NREMT recertifies you. Keeping NREMT is optional.

Good to know in Virginia

Moving from another state: Virginia accepts all current NREMT certifications for reciprocity. Apply in the Virginia EMS Portal with your NREMT card, CPR card and driver's license or passport, and get a fingerprint background check. Applications expire after 45 days if incomplete.

Out-of-state EMT without NREMT: Virginia will consider a current EMT certification from any state through Legal Recognition. It lasts at most one year or until your current certification expires, whichever comes first.

EMS Compact: Residents of EMS Compact states can apply through the reciprocity option.

If you lapse: A lapsed EMT goes into reentry and must pass the Virginia psychomotor exam and the NREMT cognitive exam to regain certification. You may not practice without a current Virginia card.

Affiliation to practice: Certification alone does not let you work. OEMS says you can practice as an EMT only after affiliating with a licensed Virginia EMS agency and under the direction of an endorsed EMS physician.

Testing deadlines: Your first certification test attempt must begin within 180 days of your course end date, and you must pass within 365 days of that first attempt (12VAC5-31-1457).

No impairment: EMT candidates may not be under the influence of any drugs or intoxicating substances that impair patient care while driving, in class, in clinicals or on duty.

Sources

• VDH OEMS - Becoming an EMS Provider in Virginia
• VDH OEMS - Psychomotor Testing
• VDH OEMS - How to Maintain Your Certification
• VDH OEMS - Changes to Virginia's Recertification Requirements
• VDH OEMS - TR-64 BLS & ALS Recertification Requirements (June 2024)
• 12VAC5-31 Part III - EMS Education and Certification
• NREMT - EMT Candidate Handbook, Certification Process
• 12VAC5-31-1457 - Certification examinations