How Do I Become an EMT in North Carolina?

The Rundown of EMT Certification in North Carolina:

Prospective EMT candidates, who wish to get EMT certification in North Carolina, must pass an exam organized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). But, before this, they need to complete EMT training program from a state-approved training college or institute. EMT certification in North Carolina is valid for a period of two years only.

In regards to the NREMT exam, the candidate must pass the written exam, which is a test comprising around 70-120 questions that are required to be answered in 2 hours duration. This is an adjustable difficulty computerized exam. The exam includes topics, such as airway management, ventilation, oxygen therapy, EMS operations, cardiology, health emergencies, and general trauma. In the practical examination, a candidate’s capability to handle traumatic situations, such as fractures, bleeding, joint dislocations, etc., are tested. A candidate will also be tested on medical emergencies such as diabetic emergencies, strokes, cardiac arrest, etc. If a candidate fails in the examination, he/she can re-test for the next examination after 15 days. Six attempts can be made by the candidate to pass the exams successfully.

In case, you fail to renew your certificate before or by the expiration date, your certificate will be considered as involuntary inactive. If, after the expiration of the certificate, you fail to recertify it within 180 days, your certificate will get null and void, and you will have to undergo the entire certification cycle, again.

What are the Requirements to Get an EMT Certificate In North Carolina?

Following are the pre-requisites that should be fulfilled by the EMT candidates:

  • EMT candidate must be 18 years of age or more.
  • He/she should have completed a state-approved EMT training program.
  • He/she must possess a valid CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certificate.
  • The candidate is required to qualify the NREMT examination.
  • It is mandatory for the candidates to submit legal evidence of their U.S. nationality.
  • The candidate should be free from any mental or bodily ailment.
  • English fluency is a must for every applicant.
  • The candidate must compulsorily pass a criminal background screening.

Apart from this, there are some special requirements that are also required to be accomplished, like submission of application and applicable fees, and completion of a state-recognized practical exam.

What is the Process of EMT Certification?

Step 1: Get EMT Training

The candidate must successfully complete EMT training before applying for certification. The candidate can contact the local EMS department or any community college that provides training programs.

Step 2: Submit Application for National Certification

In order to get a national certification, a candidate has to appear for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) exam. Once the candidate has attained the North Carolina license, the submission of NREMT certification for recertification is not necessary. The state of North Carolina makes use of the National Registry only for the purpose of examination. After obtaining the license, it is mandatory for the licensee to complete the Continuing Education (CE) training. If the candidate is nationally registered, he/she is not refrained from fulfilling the Continuing Education (CE) requirements in order to renew the North Carolina license.

  • The candidate should start by creating an account on the NREMT website. Click on “Create New Account”.
  • Next, the candidate must create a new application by clicking on “Create Initial Entry Application”.
  • Now, the applicable fee must be paid by the candidate soon after completion of the online application. Though, the application fee can also be paid afterward.
  • After the candidate is done with the online application, he/she must keep a check on its progress by regularly looking for “Authorization to Test” (ATT) Letter. This can be done by logging into the website through the password and username, subsequently clicking on the option of “Check Initial Entry Application Status”.
  • The candidate’s details have been submitted by the website if “Submitted” appears beside “Course Completion Verification”, and therefore, it indicates that the approval of the course completion by the education program director is being awaited.
  • Whereas, if “Not Submitted” appears beside “Application Payment”, it clearly means that the candidate must pay the application fee before proceeding further.
  • After the application payment and confirmation by the education program director, the link “Print ATT Letter” will appear.
  • The candidate is required to take a printed copy of his/her ATT Letter and set a timetable for the NREMT exam.

The ATT Letter directs the candidate on scheduling the NREMT examination by using ‘Pearson VUE’ website.

Step 3: Background Check

To complete the process of certification, the candidate must undergo a criminal background check. For this, the candidate can contact his/her course coordinator.

Step 4: License Application

Your course instructor will provide the necessary material for EMT Licensing in North Carolina. For more information you can contact:

Licensure Unit
Regina Godette-Crawford, Chief
Physical Address: 1201 Umstead Drive
Raleigh, NC 27603
Telephone: 919-855-3935
Fax: 919-733-7021

EMS Training Locations:

  • Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
    Address: 340 Victoria Road, Asheville, North Carolina- 28801
    Contact Number: 828-398-7900
    Official Website: http://www.abtech.edu/
  • Carolinas College of Health Sciences
    Address: 1200 Blythe Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina- 28203
    Contact Number: 800-821-1535
    Official Website: http://www.carolinashealthcare.org/
  • Western Carolina University
    Address: 1 University Way, Cullowhee, North Carolina- 28723
    Contact Number: 828-227-7211
    Official Website: http://www.wcu.edu/
  • Gaston College
    Address: 201 Highway 321 South, Dallas, North Carolina- 28034
    Contact Number: 704-922-6200
    Official Website: http://www.gaston.edu/
  • Fayetteville Technical Community College
    Address: P.O. Box- 35236, 2201 Hull Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina- 28303
    Contact Number: 910-678-8400
    Official Website: http://www.faytechcc.edu/
  • Catawba Valley Community College
    Address: 2550 U.S. Highway 70 Southeast, Hickory, North Carolina- 28602-8302
    Contact Number: 828-327-7000
    Official Website: www.cvcc.edu
  • Coastal Carolina Community College
    Address: 444 Western Boulevard, Jacksonville, North Carolina- 28546
    Contact Number: 910-455-1221
    Official Website: http://www.coastalcarolina.edu/
  • Guilford Technical Community College
    Address: 601 High Point Road, P.O. Box- 309, Jamestown, North Carolina- 27282
    Contact Number: 336-334-4822
    Official Website: http://www.gtcc.edu/
  • Carteret Community College
    Address: 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City, North Carolina- 28557
    Contact Number: 252-222-6000
    Official Website: http://www.carteret.edu
  • Tri-County Community College
    Address: 21 Campus Circle, Murphy, North Carolina-28906
    Contact Number: 828-837-6810
    Official Website: http://www.tricountycc.edu/
  • Sandhills Community College
    Address: 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst, North Carolina- 28374
    Contact Number: 910- 692-6185 / 800- 338-3944
    Official Website: http://www.sandhills.edu/
  • Wake Technical Community College
    Address: 9101 Fayetteville Road Raleigh, North Carolina- 27603
    Contact Number: 919-866-5000
    Official Website: http://www.waketech.edu/
  • Southwestern Community College
    Address: 447 College Drive, Sylva, North Carolina- 28779
    Contact Number: 828-339-4000 / 800-447-4091
    Fax: 828-339-4613
    Official Website: http://www.southwesterncc.edu/
  • Davidson County Community College
    Address: 297 DCCC Road, Thomasville, North Carolina- 27360
    Contact Number: 336-249-8186
    Official Website: http://www.davidsonccc.edu/
  • Montgomery Community College
    Address: 1011 Page Street, Troy, North Carolina- 27371
    Contact Number: 910-576-6222
    Fax: 910-576-2176
    Official Website: http://www.montgomery.edu/
  • Forsyth Technical Community College
    Address: 2100 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, North Carolina- 27103
    Contact Number: 336-723-0371
    Official Website: http://www.forsythtech.edu/

North Carolina EMT Contact Information:

NC Division of Health Service Regulation
Office of Emergency Medical Services
1201 Umstead Drive
Raleigh, NC 27603
Telephone: 919-855-3935
Fax: 919-733-7021