How to Become an EMT in West Virginia

Checked against West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (WVOEMS) · Verified 2026-10-17

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 2 years
State fee: $37.50 initial certification fee plus $47.50 national criminal background check (64 CSR 48-6.8). Fees are non-refundable.
Certified by: West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (WVOEMS)

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Who can apply

You must be at least 16. Until you turn 18 you may not be the primary patient care attendant or drive an EMS vehicle.
You must be able to speak, read, understand and write English.
You must have the physical ability to do all EMS skills (bend, stoop, crawl, walk on uneven ground) and meet the vision standard to drive in West Virginia.
You must clear state and national criminal background checks.
You must hold a valid healthcare-provider-level CPR card.
You must disclose any limits or exclusions placed on you by an EMS agency, medical director or licensing body.

Step by step

Create a WVOEMS account in ImageTrend and a National Registry (NREMT) account.
Complete a WVOEMS-approved, competency-based EMT course at an approved training institute.
Pass all EMT practical skills evaluations given by WVOEMS-approved evaluators.
Pass the NREMT EMT cognitive exam.
Complete OSHA 1910.120 Hazmat Awareness, a 6-hour WVOEMS MCI Awareness and Operations course, a healthcare-provider CPR course, and the live WVOEMS Protocol course.
Apply in ImageTrend, pay the $37.50 certification fee and the $47.50 national background check fee, and clear the background checks.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: You must complete a WVOEMS-approved, competency-based EMT course at a WVOEMS-approved training institute. West Virginia also requires Hazmat Awareness (OSHA 1910.120 or higher), a 6-hour WVOEMS MCI Awareness and Operations course, a healthcare-provider CPR course, and the current WVOEMS Protocol course taught live (synchronous).

Exam: You must pass the EMT practical skills evaluations set by WVOEMS, given by approved skills evaluators, and the National Registry (NREMT) EMT cognitive exam. NREMT charges $104 per EMT exam attempt.

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What it costs in West Virginia

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

WV initial EMT certification fee$37.5
WV national criminal background check$47.5
NREMT EMT exam, per attempt$104
EMT course tuition$
Legal recognition (out-of-state transfer)(optional)$100
Recertification fee$18.75

Estimated total in West Virginia$207.75Plus 1 item with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

NREMT EMT exam: $104 per attempt (set by NREMT).
EMT course tuition varies by training institute.
Hazmat Awareness, MCI and CPR courses, if not included in your EMT course.
Recertification: $18.75; late application within 90 days of expiration adds $25.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: West Virginia EMT certification lasts two years and expires March 31. You must stay continuously certified by NREMT (40 hours under the NREMT model); losing NREMT immediately suspends your West Virginia license. You must also complete the NCCP national component or a 6-module WVOEMS EMT refresher, West Virginia state and federal requirements, practical skills checks, a valid CPR card, and a WVOEMS Protocol Update course every year. Apply in ImageTrend between October 1 and December 31 of the year before expiration; the deadline is 90 days before expiration. The renewal fee is $18.75.

Good to know in West Virginia

NREMT must stay current: WVOEMS policy says any EMT it certifies must keep uninterrupted NREMT certification. If NREMT lapses, your West Virginia certification is suspended immediately.

Out-of-state hours: Hours used to meet NREMT recertification in another state do not by themselves meet West Virginia's state requirements.

Moving from another state: You can transfer with current NREMT certification, or prior NREMT plus a current state license with 120+ days left, or a current state license with 120+ days left (you may need to pass state exams). You must finish West Virginia protocol and scope training within 120 days. Legal recognition costs $100. A temporary license of up to 120 days may be issued.

Reinstatement: Reinstating a license expired more than two years costs $100.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (WVOEMS) before you apply.