If you have just completed or are currently enrolled in a Paramedic education program, and you are applying for Paramedic certification, you must meet the following requirements: 

  • Current National Registry certification or state license at the EMT level, or higher
  • Successful completion of a CAAHEP-accredited Paramedic education program (or an education program that has been issued a CoAEMSP "Letter of Review") that meets or exceeds the National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards for Paramedic. 
  • Candidates must have completed the course within the past two years and the course Program Director must verify successful course completion on the National Registry website. 
    • After January 1, 2023, candidates are required to meet CoAEMSP Recommended Student Minimum Competency (SMC) Matrix. Note: Program Directors must verify that candidates have an SMC on file for each student.  
  • Successful completion of the National Registry Paramedic  Certification Examination.

Application Process

To apply for a National Registry examination: 

  1. Create your account/log in to your profile. 
  2. Select the Paramedic Initial Application. Verify/update any personal information and follow the prompts through the application. 
  3. Pay the application fee.
  4. Monitor the progress of your application from your Candidate Dashboard in case additional action is needed. Once the National Registry approves your application and your “Examination” tile contains the message “Authorization to Test (ATT) received,” you can view your ATT and schedule your examination. 

Related Policies

Nationally Registered Paramedics (NRP) must notify the National Registry within 30 days regarding the following matters:
  • Change in mailing address (the best way to update a mailing address is by editing the user profile page)
  • Disciplinary action taken by any state has resulted in suspension, revocation, or expiration of state registration/licensure; termination of right to practice; voluntary surrender of state registration/licensure while under investigation.
  • The National Registry considers the individual to be solely responsible for their certification.
The National Registry has disciplinary procedures, rights of appeal and due process within its policies. For complete details regarding the National Registry Disciplinary Policy and your Rights of Appeal, please refer to the link below.

Disciplinary Actions Policy

The National Registry complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and offers reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Pearson VUE test centers are also ADA compliant. Complete information about the National Registry Accommodations Disability Policy can be found using the link below.

ADA Accommodations

Program Accreditation

Since January 1, 2013 all initial Paramedic applicants seeking National Registry's National EMS Certification at the Paramedic level must have successfully completed education from an accredited program or one that is seeking accreditation sponsored by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Find An Accredited Paramedic Program

Expiration Dates

Initial expiration dates are determined by the date the candidate successfully completes the entire national certification process. Paramedic candidates completing the national certification process between the January 1 and June 30 will receive an expiration date of March 31 two years in the future. Individuals successfully completing the national certification process between July 1 and December 31 will receive an expiration date of March 31 three years in the future.

Initial Certification
If you successfully complete the national certification process between:
  • January 1-June 30
  • July 1-December 31
Initial Cycle
Your initial certification date will be September 30: