Table of Contents
| ► IMPORTANT TIMELINES AND INFORMATION |
| ► ABOUT THE EXAMINATIONS |
| ► CANDIDATE PATHWAYS |
| ► FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
| ► ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
IMPORTANT TIMELINES AND INFORMATION
| + The current AEMT and Paramedic cognitive and psychomotor examinations end on June 30, 2024. |
| + The new AEMT Certification Examination starts on July 1, 2024 with the new fee of $159.00. One examination - no psychomotor examination required. |
| + The new Paramedic Certification Examination starts on July 1, 2024 with the new fee of $175.00. One examination - no psychomotor examination required. |
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 new AEMT Certification Examination and the new Paramedic Certification Examination, as determined through the 2019 National EMS Practice Analysis and the 2021 National EMS Practice Analysis Addendum, are found here:
The new AEMT Certification Examination domain information.
| Content Domain | Percent of Examination |
| Airway, Respiration & Ventilation* | 9% - 13% |
| Cardiology & Resuscitation* | 11% – 15% |
| Trauma* | 7% - 11% |
| Medical/Obstetrics/Gynecology* | 25% - 29% |
| EMS Operations | 6% - 10% |
| Clinical Judgment* | 31% - 35% |
The new Paramedic Certification Examination domain information.
| Content Domain | Percent of Examination |
| Airway, Respiration & Ventilation* | 8% - 12% |
| Cardiology & Resuscitation* ** | 10% – 14% |
| Trauma* | 6% - 10% |
| Medical/Obstetrics/Gynecology* | 24% - 28% |
| EMS Operations | 8% - 12% |
| Clinical Judgment* | 34% - 38% |
** 30% of the Cardiology & Resuscitation domain is allotted to graphical items with ECG rhythm strips.
Types of Items
The National Registry introduced several new item types into its examinations. These 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
CANDIDATE PATHWAYS
| Candidate Pathways | Actions |
| If a candidate prefers to take the new certification examination instead of the current cognitive and psychomotor examinations, are they able to wait and take the new certification examination after July 1, 2024? | Yes, the candidate can wait. |
| What if the cognitive examination is completed by June 30, 2024, but not the psychomotor examination? | The candidate is required to take either the new AEMT Certification Examination or the new Paramedic Certification Examination starting July 1, 2024. |
| What if the psychomotor examination is completed by June 30, 2024, but not the cognitive examination? | The candidate is required to take either the new AEMT Certification Examination or the new Paramedic Certification Examination starting July 1, 2024. |
| If a candidate has passed both the cognitive and psychomotor examinations prior to July 1, 2024, is their certification still valid? | Yes, however, Nationally Registered EMS Clinicians are required to renew their certification every two years. Recertification can be accomplished by either taking the certification examination or by completing continuing education. |
| What about a clinician whose certification expires after July 1 and plans to recertify by examination (RBE)? | The clinician is required to take either the new AEMT Certification Examination or the new Paramedic Certification Examination starting July 1, 2024. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EXAMINATIONS
If a candidate finishes their EMS course in the spring of 2024, can they wait until July 1 and take the new AEMT Certification Examination or new Paramedic Certification Examination?
Yes, they can. These decisions need to be made collaboratively between the school and the student. Candidates should work directly with their education program director and faculty to determine when they are ready to test and the proper time to test. The existing examination process will continue through June 30, 2024. Beginning July 1, 2024, candidates will be required to take the new AEMT Certification Examination or new Paramedic Certification Examination.
What if a candidate takes their cognitive examination by June 30, 2024, but does not successfully complete their psychomotor examination by June 30, 2024? Will they still be able to take the psychomotor examination?
No. Candidates who do not complete both the current cognitive and psychomotor examinations by June 30, 2024, will have to take the new AEMT Certification Examination or new Paramedic Certification Examination.
If a candidate already passed the psychomotor examination, but has not completed their cognitive examination, will they need to take the new AEMT Certification Examination or new Paramedic Certification Examination as well?
If a candidate has successfully passed either the current psychomotor or cognitive examinations but has not passed both examinations by June 30, 2024, they will be required to take the new AEMT Certification Examination or new Paramedic Certification Examination.
What about a candidate who has passed both the cognitive and psychomotor examinations prior to July 1, 2024? Is their certification still valid?
Yes, if a candidate has successfully passed both the psychomotor and cognitive examinations by June 30, 2024, the candidate will be certified by the National Registry. However, Nationally Registered EMS Clinicians are required to renew their certification every two years. Recertification can be accomplished by either taking the certification examination or by completing continuing education.
What about a clinician whose certification expires after July 1 and plans to recertify by examination (RBE)?
The clinician will take the new AEMT Certification Examination or new Paramedic Certification Examination.
What if a candidate’s PATT (Psychomotor Authorization to Test) states a psychomotor examination date after July 1, 2024?
All PATT expiration dates have been changed to the psychomotor discontinuation date of June 30, 2024. No PATTs are valid after June 30, 2024.
If candidates are seeking to be certified before their PATT expiration, they have to successfully pass both the psychomotor and cognitive examinations by June 30, 2024, to become nationally certified.
Candidates also have 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 starts on July 1, 2024 with the new fee amount of $159.00. One examination - no psychomotor examination required.
The new Paramedic Certification Examination starts on July 1, 2024 with the new fee amount of $175.00. One examination - no psychomotor examination required.
Does the discontinuation of the psychomotor examination alter the two-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-year eligibility timeframe. Candidates will continue to have two 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 times, the candidate would still be allowed two attempts at the new AEMT Certification Examination or new Paramedic Certification Examination, so long as they are within their two-year window of eligibility.
Will the new AEMT Certification Examination and the new Paramedic Certification Examination still be administered by Pearson Vue?
Yes. We have been working in collaboration with our partners to ensure the new AEMT Certification Examination and the new Paramedic Certification Examination will be ready to be administered beginning July 1, 2024.
Will the testing locations and procedures change?
The new AEMT Certification Examination and the new Paramedic Certification Examination will be 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 current process, both the ALS Psychomotor Examination and Cognitive Examination must be successfully completed by June 30, 2024. If a candidate has not passed the ALS Psychomotor Examination (including allowable retest attempts) and the Cognitive Examination by this date, 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 fails 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 can I find a psychomotor examination site between today and June 30, 2024?
You can 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