How many boards regulate Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)?

51 states require a license for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) practitioners. Same-lane licenses to open next: Athletic Trainer; Certified Nurse-Midwife; Dental Assistant.

What schooling do Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) boards demand?

On average, states require approximately 157 hours of education or training, with requirements ranging from 120 to 199 hours. For contrast in the same category, open Athletic Trainer next.

What does a first Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license usually cost?

The average initial licensing fee is $94, ranging from $25 to $173 across states. Fee shape for Dental Assistant is a useful same-lane check.

Can a Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) credential move between states?

License reciprocity varies by state. Many states participate in interstate compacts that allow license portability. Check the reciprocity information in the state-by-state details for your specific situation. Compact coverage can differ for Athletic Trainer even when the boards look similar.

Do Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) boards require an exam?

51 out of 51 states require passing an examination to obtain a emergency medical technician (emt) license. Exam requirements, names, and formats vary by state, check the state-by-state table above for specifics.

Background checks for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) licensing?

51 out of 51 states require a criminal background check as part of the emergency medical technician (emt) licensing process. Background check requirements and disqualifying offenses vary by jurisdiction.

Professions / Healthcare

Occupational licensing · Healthcare · 51 state boards

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Licensing Requirements by State

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) licensing rules differ by state. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) compilation and responsible state boards (current as of May 15, 2026), this registry compares education hours, initial and renewal fees, exams, background checks and reciprocity notes across 51 boards. Use the table to compare differences, then verify the current rule with the responsible board before applying.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) across 51 state boards. Nearest coverage peers (51-state band): Athletic Trainer, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Dental Assistant.

By PlainCredential ·Compiled from official state licensing boards

States regulated: 51
Avg initial fee: $94
Require an exam: 100%
Avg education hours: 157

View saved licenses

Board Pathway Strip

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): 51 boards · ~157 avg pre-licensure hrs · exam on 100% · background check on 100% · avg first fee $94. Same-lane boards: Athletic Trainer, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Dental Assistant.

Pre-licensure hour neighbourhood for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) vs. every tracked profession

Average confirmed pre-licensure education hours, board-sourced state requirements

157 32nd of 47 higher than 15 of 47 professions

professions with confirmed education-hour requirements, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more professions. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source PlainCredential NCSL and state-board corpus · 2026

Provides emergency medical care and transportation. Requires NREMT exam.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) initial fees swing $25 (NH) to $173 (CA), a $148 spread across 51 boards ; Athletic Trainer often lands on a different fee band.

Board thresholds for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) drift board-to-board; the same pattern shows up on Athletic Trainer and Certified Nurse-Midwife in healthcare. Methodology notes live on our methods page.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) states

Above median

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) edu hrs

157 hrs

Below median

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) first fee

$94

Bottom quartile, lowest

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) renewal

$82

Bottom quartile, lowest

Board gates for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): exam on 51/51 (100%), background check on 51/51 (100%) , CE on 51/51 (avg 36 hrs/cycle) . Stack that against Athletic Trainer / Certified Nurse-Midwife before calling this license soft or hard.

Other licenses near Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)'s board count

Coverage band

Hour load

Real Estate Broker · 156 avg hrs
Auctioneer · 135 avg hrs
Real Estate Agent / Salesperson · 104 avg hrs
Home Inspector · 99 avg hrs

Cheapest vs priciest jurisdiction for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

A $148 fee spread for the same credential

Initial licensing fees in New Hampshire ($ 25) and California ($ 173) bracket the field, a 6.9× spread for identical practice rights.

New Hampshire

$25 initial licensing fee

Renewal cycle: 2 years

California

$173 initial licensing fee

Renewal cycle: 2 years

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) boards vs Athletic Trainer / Certified Nurse-Midwife - state table

51 states

State	Edu. Hours	Exam	Init. Fee	Renewal	Cycle	CE Hrs	Same-board peer
Alabama	145	Yes	$72	$64	2 yrs	36	Also Court Reporter / Stenographer · Elementary School Teacher
Alaska	132	Yes	$47	$44	2 yrs	36	Also Cosmetologist · Electrologist
Arizona	187	Yes	$150	$129	2 yrs	36	Also General Contractor · Insurance Agent
Arkansas	139	Yes	$61	$55	2 yrs	36	Also Electrologist · Funeral Director / Embalmer
California	199	Yes	$173	$148	2 yrs	36	Also Land Surveyor · Massage Therapist
Colorado	188	Yes	$153	$131	2 yrs	36	Also Occupational Therapist · Pharmacist
Connecticut	174	Yes	$126	$109	2 yrs	36	Also Pest Control Applicator · Plumber
Delaware	164	Yes	$108	$94	2 yrs	36	Also Pharmacist · Process Server
District of Columbia	166	Yes	$111	$97	2 yrs	36	Also Pest Control Applicator · Plumber
Florida	170	Yes	$118	$103	2 yrs	36	Also Auctioneer · Chauffeur / Limousine Driver
Georgia	157	Yes	$94	$82	2 yrs	36	Also Certified Public Accountant (CPA) · Dental Assistant
Hawaii	183	Yes	$143	$124	2 yrs	36	Also HVAC Technician · Licensed Professional Counselor
Idaho	131	Yes	$45	$42	2 yrs	36	Also Medical Lab Technician · Optometrist
Illinois	194	Yes	$163	$140	2 yrs	36	Also Painter (Contractor) · Physical Therapist
Indiana	155	Yes	$90	$79	2 yrs	36	Also Pest Control Applicator · Plumber
Iowa	135	Yes	$53	$49	2 yrs	36	Also Marriage and Family Therapist · Notary Public
Kansas	134	Yes	$51	$47	2 yrs	36	Also Arborist / Tree Surgeon · Body Piercer
Kentucky	142	Yes	$66	$59	2 yrs	36	Also Bartender / Alcohol Server · Commercial Truck Driver (CDL)
Louisiana	178	Yes	$134	$116	2 yrs	36	Also Animal Breeder · Bartender / Alcohol Server
Maine	122	Yes	$29	$28	2 yrs	36	Also Electrician · Food Handler / Food Safety Certification
Maryland	173	Yes	$124	$108	2 yrs	36	Also Dietetic Technician · Fire Sprinkler Installer
Massachusetts	171	Yes	$120	$104	2 yrs	36	Also Debt Collector · Elevator Installer
Michigan	158	Yes	$96	$84	2 yrs	36	Also Esthetician · Hair Braider
Minnesota	148	Yes	$78	$69	2 yrs	36	Also General Contractor · Insurance Agent
Mississippi	144	Yes	$70	$62	2 yrs	36	Also Home Inspector · Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Missouri	147	Yes	$76	$67	2 yrs	36	Also Glazier · Interior Designer
Montana	181	Yes	$139	$120	2 yrs	36	Also HVAC Technician · Licensed Professional Counselor
Nebraska	133	Yes	$49	$45	2 yrs	36	Also Interior Designer · Marriage and Family Therapist
Nevada	191	Yes	$158	$136	2 yrs	36	Also Optometrist · Phlebotomist
New Hampshire	120	Yes	$25	$25	2 yrs	36	Also Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) · Medical Lab Technician
New Jersey	172	Yes	$122	$106	2 yrs	36	Also Licensed Professional Counselor · Mortgage Loan Originator
New Mexico	182	Yes	$141	$121	2 yrs	36	Also Massage Therapist · Occupational Therapist
New York	167	Yes	$113	$99	2 yrs	36	Also Pest Control Applicator · Plumber
North Carolina	156	Yes	$92	$81	2 yrs	36	Also HVAC Technician · Licensed Professional Counselor
North Dakota	129	Yes	$41	$39	2 yrs	36	Also Insurance Agent · Locksmith
Ohio	161	Yes	$102	$89	2 yrs	36	Also Pest Control Applicator · Plumber
Oklahoma	136	Yes	$55	$50	2 yrs	36	Also Pharmacy Technician · Professional Engineer (PE)
Oregon	195	Yes	$166	$143	2 yrs	36	Also Professional Engineer (PE) · Registered Nurse
Pennsylvania	165	Yes	$110	$96	2 yrs	36	Also Professional Engineer (PE) · Registered Nurse
Rhode Island	179	Yes	$136	$118	2 yrs	36	Also Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) · Electrician
South Carolina	137	Yes	$57	$52	2 yrs	36	Also Esthetician · Hair Braider
South Dakota	126	Yes	$37	$35	2 yrs	36	Also Farrier / Horseshoer · Hearing Aid Specialist
Tennessee	150	Yes	$82	$72	2 yrs	36	Also Occupational Therapist · Pharmacist
Texas	162	Yes	$104	$91	2 yrs	36	Also Physical Therapist · Psychologist
Utah	143	Yes	$68	$60	2 yrs	36	Also Respiratory Therapist · Septic System Installer
Vermont	123	Yes	$31	$30	2 yrs	36	Also Veterinary Technician · Athletic Trainer
Virginia	152	Yes	$86	$76	2 yrs	36	Also Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist · Secondary School Teacher
Washington	185	Yes	$147	$126	2 yrs	36	Also Tow Truck Operator · Armed Security Guard
West Virginia	143	Yes	$68	$60	2 yrs	36	Also Court Reporter / Stenographer · Elementary School Teacher
Wisconsin	146	Yes	$74	$66	2 yrs	36	Also Athletic Agent · Certified Nurse-Midwife
Wyoming	124	Yes	$33	$32	2 yrs	36	Also Dental Hygienist · Farrier / Horseshoer

What to do with this

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is regulated in 51 states -- here's how to use that before you act.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) ranks #32 of 47 professions by average pre-licensure education hours -- see how it compares to similar roles. Browse all professions
#27 of 97 professions by number of states requiring a license -- see which states are strictest overall. State burden rankings
Initial fees for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) range from $25 (NH) to $173 (CA) -- check whether your license transfers before assuming you'd need to pay again. Reciprocity guide

Requirements are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research and verified against state board sites where possible; always confirm current rules with the licensing board before relying on any single row.

Data sources

Every figure on PlainCredential is rendered directly from NCSL and state occupational- licensing board data, no number is typed in by an editor. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) requirements from NCSL and state board schedules: 51 rows, no hand-typed figures. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.