Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides emergency medical care and transportation. Requires NREMT exam.

What the Tennessee data shows for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)s

To practice as an emergency medical technician (emt) in Tennessee, the state licensing board requires 150 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NREMT Certification Exam. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Tennessee's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "EMT Training Course".

The initial price tag is $82, and renewal costs $72 every 2 years. The license also carries an ongoing 36-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

On reciprocity, emergency medical technician (emt)s should know: Interstate EMS Compact: 30+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
64/100
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) · Tennessee

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B
150 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B-
$82
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B-
$36/yr
$72 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
18.0 hrs/yr
36 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
EMT Training Course
150 hours
Exam Requirement
NREMT Certification Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$82
Renewal Fee
$72
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
36 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) All Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee's requirements cover 150 hours of education or training, the NREMT Certification Exam exam, and an initial fee of $82. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Tennessee? ▼
Certification as an emergency medical technician (emt) in Tennessee means clearing the state's checklist: 150 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Tennessee licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license to Tennessee from another state? ▼
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Interstate EMS Compact: 30+ states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Tennessee licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the emergency medical technician (emt) licensing process in Tennessee. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Tennessee? ▼
Licensed emergency medical technician (emt)s in Tennessee must complete 36 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $72.

Related Guides

What to do with this emergency medical technician (emt) license

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Tennessee, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an emergency medical technician (emt)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Tennessee licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.