EMT and NREMT Test Overview

NREMT Overview

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) is a private certifying organization.  Being certified by the NREMT is different than being licensed as an EMT by your state.  Your state grants you an EMT license but they probably require you to be certified by the NREMT.  The NREMT’s purpose is to independently identify EMT candidates who have successfully completed the NREMT’s educational requirements and demonstrated their EMT skills in mandated tests and exams.  The NREMT also maintains a registry of adverse licensure actions and criminal convictions.

NREMT Test Administration

All NREMT test questions are multiple choice.  Each EMT test question has four potential answers.  There is only one best answer although each of the potential answers has some level of plausibility (meaning that each incorrect answer is somewhat believable).

All NREMT tests are computer-based and are administered in a “computer-adaptive testing” (CAT) format.  The CAT format modifies or adapts the difficulty of the questions based on how a student answers the questions.  First, an average level question is given, and then more challenging questions are given if the first question is answered correctly, or easier questions are given is the first question is missed.  The intent of the CAT approach is to adapt the questions based on the user’s aptitude. With the CAT approach, you are not allowed to go back and change answers to previous questions, and you must answer each question to proceed.

NREMT Test Results

The results of your NREMT tests are made available to you within 24 to 48 hours of your EMT examination.  You can check your EMT test results at the NREMT website.  If you fail any of the NREMT certification exams, you can retake the exam after 15 days.

EMTs have different duties and responsibilities based on their training and certification.  An EMT's salary is often different based on their experience, training, and location. Typically, most EMTs are certified to one of five levels that are administered by NREMT, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.  The five NREMT certifications are: First Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate/85, EMT-Intermediate/99 and Paramedic. An effective way to pass your NREMT certification exam is to use free EMT practice tests.