Table of Contents
| ► ABOUT THE EXAMINATIONS |
| ► CANDIDATE PATHWAYS |
| ► COST |
| ► FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
| ► ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
ABOUT THE EXAMINATIONS
Examination Content
Certification examinations are updated periodically to ensure alignment as professional roles evolve. These changes allow the certification examination to incorporate new advances in clinical practice, research, science, and available new technology.The test plans for the AEMT Certification Examination and the Paramedic Certification Examination, as determined through the 2019 National EMS Practice Analysis and the 2021 National EMS Practice Analysis Addendum, are found here:
The AEMT Certification Examination Domain Information.
| Content Domain | Percent of Examination |
| Airway, Respiration and Ventilation* | 9% - 13% |
| Cardiology and Resuscitation* | 11% – 15% |
| Trauma* | 7% - 11% |
| Medical/Obstetrics/Gynecology* | 25% - 29% |
| EMS Operations | 6% - 10% |
| Clinical Judgment* | 31% - 35% |
The Paramedic Certification Examination Domain Information.
| Content Domain | Percent of Examination |
| Airway, Respiration and Ventilation* | 8% - 12% |
| Cardiology and Resuscitation* | 10% – 14% |
| Trauma* | 6% - 10% |
| Medical/Obstetrics/Gynecology* | 24% - 28% |
| EMS Operations | 8% - 12% |
| Clinical Judgment* | 34% - 38% |
Item types, often referred to in the assessment industry as Technology Enhanced Items (TEIs), utilize specialized interactive features to assess candidate knowledge. These items require different ways of responding than do the single-selection multiple choice or multiple-response items used in National Registry examinations. TEIs have been in the AEMT and Paramedic examinations since 2023.
| Examples of the TEIs that will now be included in all Registry examinations are: |
| Build List: Candidates must position several presented options into the order specified in the item instructions. |
| Drag-and-Drop: Candidates must position several presented options into certain categories, classifications, or other identifiers as specified in the item instructions. |
| Option/Check Box: Candidates must classify, categorize, or identify several options presented in a table based on certain specified criteria. |
At the beginning of the examination, candidates will be provided with a tutorial containing specific instructions on how to respond to each type of item. These instructions will also be available throughout the examination via the Help function.
For the AEMT and Paramedic examinations, the TEIs are incorporated throughout the EMS scenarios:
En Route, Scene, and Post Scene.
To help illustrate how these items are being used, a sample packet has been created to provide examination exemplars for AEMT and NRP candidates, EMS Educators, State Officials, and other interested parties.
| This packet contains information in the following areas: |
| + Clinical judgment scenario sample screens + Definitions of clinical judgment, which include aspects of leadership and communications + The steps used in clinical judgment + Sample of items used by National Registry |
For more insights, click below for the Clinical Judgment Domain Sample Packet video.
Click here to download the Clinical Judgment Domain Sample Packet
An interactive sample of items were created to help familiarize candidates to the types of questions that will appear on the new AEMT Certification Examination and the new Paramedic Certification Examination.
Click here for the AEMT items
Click here for the Paramedic items
The sample items provided above aim to replicate the experience of the actual National Registry examination at Pearson VUE Testing Centers. To ensure optimal interaction with these sample items, we recommend accessing them using a Windows or Mac desktop or laptop computer. Please note that using a mobile phone may not provide the same experience.
CANDIDATE PATHWAYS
| Candidate Pathways | Actions |
| If a candidate prefered to take the new certification examination instead of the prevoius cognitive and psychomotor examinations, were they able to wait and take the new certification examination after July 1, 2024? | Yes. |
| What if the cognitive examination was completed by June 30, 2024, but not the psychomotor examination? | The candidate was required to take either the new AEMT Certification Examination or the new Paramedic Certification Examination starting July 1, 2024. |
| What if the psychomotor examination was completed by June 30, 2024, but not the cognitive examination? | The candidate wss required to take either the new AEMT Certification Examination or the new Paramedic Certification Examination beginning July 1, 2024. |
| If a candidate has passed both the cognitive and psychomotor examinations prior to July 1, 2024, was their certification valid? | Yes, however, Nationally Registered EMS Clinicians are required to renew their certification every two (2) years. Recertification can be accomplished by either taking the certification examination or by completing continuing education. |
| What about a Clinician whose certification expired after July 1 and planned to recertify by examination (RBE)? | The Clinician was required to take either the new AEMT Certification Examination or the new Paramedic Certification Examination beginning July 1, 2024. |
COST
| + AEMT Certification Examination- $159.00. |
| + Paramedic Certification Examination- $175.00. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EXAMINATIONS
If a candidate finished their EMS course in the spring of 2024, could they have waited until July 1 and taken the new AEMT Certification Examination or new Paramedic Certification Examination?
What if a candidate took their cognitive examination by June 30, 2024, but did not successfully complete their psychomotor examination by June 30, 2024? Were they still able to take the psychomotor examination?
If a candidate already passed the psychomotor examination, but had not completed their cognitive examination, did they need to take the new AEMT Certification Examination or new Paramedic Certification Examination as well?
What about a candidate who has passed both the cognitive and psychomotor examinations prior to July 1, 2024? Is their certification still valid?
What about a Clinician whose certification expires after July 1 and plans to recertify by examination (RBE)?
What if a candidate’s PATT (Psychomotor Authorization to Test) states a psychomotor examination date after July 1, 2024?
All PATT expiration dates were changed to the psychomotor discontinuation date of June 30, 2024. No PATTs were valid after June 30, 2024.
If candidates are seeking to be certified before their PATT expiration, they had to successfully pass both the psychomotor and cognitive examinations by June 30, 2024, to become nationally certified.
Candidates also had the option to wait until after July 1, 2024, and take the new AEMT Certification Examination or the new Paramedic Certification Examination.
What are the fees associated with the new examinations?
The new AEMT Certification Examination started on July 1, 2024 with the fee of $159.00. One examination - no psychomotor examination required.
The new Paramedic Certification Examination started on July 1, 2024 with the fee amount of $175.00. One examination - no psychomotor examination required.
Does the discontinuation of the psychomotor examination alter the two (2)-year course completion eligibility window, or the number of attempts allowed on the examination?
No. The discontinuation of the ALS psychomotor examination does not alter the two (2)-year eligibility timeframe. Candidates will continue to have two (2) years from the date of course completion to complete all testing requirements. The number of attempts allowed is not changing. As an example: If a candidate fails the cognitive examination four (4) times, the candidate would still be allowed two (2) attempts at the new AEMT Certification Examination or new Paramedic Certification Examination, so long as they are within their two (2)-year window of eligibility.
Are the new AEMT Certification Examination and the new Paramedic Certification Examination still be administered by Pearson VUE?
Yes.
Did the testing locations and procedures change?
The new AEMT Certification Examination and the new Paramedic Certification Examination is given at Pearson VUE sites, please see: https://home.pearsonvue.com/nremt
Does the discontinuation of the ALS Psychomotor Examination alter the number of attempts allowed during the psychomotor examination process?
In order to gain certification using the previouis process, both the ALS Psychomotor Examination and Cognitive Examination must have been successfully completed by June 30, 2024. If a candidate had not passed the ALS Psychomotor Examination (including allowable retest attempts) and the Cognitive Examination by June 30, 2024, the candidate must take the new AEMT Certification Examination or the new Paramedic Certification Examination. With the new examination process, a psychomotor examination is not required and will not be counted in the new testing process. However, if a candidate failed the second full attempt of the psychomotor examination before July 1, 2024, our normal existing rules apply, and the candidate must complete a new AEMT or new Paramedic course.
Where could I find a psychomotor examination siteprior to June 30, 2024?
You could locate a psychomotor examination site using the following link:
Locate EMS Psychomotor Examination | National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (nremt.org)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Important Dates
| Dates | Events |
| APRIL 19, 2024 | Texas EMS Educator Summit
|
| APRIL 20, 2024 | Texas EMS Educator Summit
|
| MAY 17, 2024 | Educating & Evaluating Clinical Judgment for AEMT and Paramedic Educators 8 am - 5:30 pm Advocate Christ Medical Center-EMS Academy 5220 W. 105th St. (Door 6) Oak Lawn, IL. 60453 *This workshop is free to attend, but you must pre-register in order to attend this in-person event. |
| MAY 31, 2024 | National Registry Representative Reception in collaboration with the 2024 CoAEMSP Accreditcon event. |
| AUGUST 14, 2024 | National Registry/NAEMSE Workshop #4
|
| AUGUST 15, 2024 | National Registry Representative Reception in collaboration with NAEMSE
|
Archived Webinars
February Webinar Information
On February 7 from 1-2pm EST, Paul Rosenberger, EdD, NRP with National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) discussed the extensive process of developing a valid certification examination and its associated lifecycle. Dr. Rosenberger discussed the Practice Analysis for Basic Life Support (BLS), as well as the Psychomotor Examination for Advanced Life Support (ALS), and more.View Webinar
December Webinar Information
In December 2023, Paul Rosenberger, EdD, NRP, the National Registry’s Examinations Content Manager, collaborated with the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) and held a webinar describing the new AEMT Certification Examination and the new Paramedic Certification Examination. Please click on the following link to hear his insightful information: Understanding Innovation and Developments for National Registry Certification ExaminationsView Webinar