National Registry EMT Certification Examination — Information & Free Practice
US · Examination information
151 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required
National Registry EMT Certification Examination
- Format
- Computerized adaptive examination with multiple-choice, multiple-response, options-table, build-list, and drag-and-drop items
- Exam questions
- Total questions: 70–120; Scored questions: 60–110; Unscored questions: 10; The total includes the scored and unscored questions.
- Time limit
- 2 hours
- Exam fee
- $104 per examination attempt
Examination outline
The authority publishes percentage ranges for each content area. The practice percentages below use the midpoint of each range, normalized to 100%; they are not exact percentages published by the authority. Practice question counts may differ slightly because of rounding.
Scene Size-up and Safety — Official range: 15–19% (Practice allocation: 17.17%)
- Develop a plan of action prior to arrival using all available information to ensure safe and effective operations.
- Protect self, other responders, patient, public, and the emergency scene from existing and potential hazards.
- Don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) based on known hazards to protect responders from exposure.
- Investigate the scene to determine potential patients.
- Triage patients to ensure optimal care.
- Request appropriate resources based on known hazards and patient conditions to mitigate all facets of the emergency scene.
Primary Assessment — Official range: 39–43% (Practice allocation: 41.41%)
- Communicate with the patient and/or bystanders to establish rapport.
- Determine a general impression of the patient.
- Assess patient’s level of consciousness.
- Assess patient’s airway.
- Assess patient’s breathing status.
- Assess patient’s circulation.
- Determine chief complaint and life threats.
- Obtain results of patient’s baseline vital signs and diagnostic testing.
- Identify the need for rapid treatment, rapid transport, or additional resources.
Secondary Assessment — Official range: 5–9% (Practice allocation: 7.07%)
- Investigate patient’s current condition and needs through focused physical assessment, interviewing, and past medical history to develop a continued treatment plan.
- Investigate previous findings and interventions through reassessment to determine any changes in the patient’s condition.
Patient Treatment and Transport — Official range: 20–24% (Practice allocation: 22.22%)
- Manage patient’s airway, ventilation, and oxygenation.
- Manage patient’s cardiovascular and circulatory system.
- Manage motion restriction of patient’s musculoskeletal system.
- Administer medication.
- Manage interventions specific to special populations.
- Manage patient transport.
- Communicate pertinent patient information.
Operations — Official range: 10–14% (Practice allocation: 12.12%)
- Ensure the equipment is in proper working order.
- Ensure sufficient inventory of medication and supplies utilized in patient care.
- Ensure that proper documentation is completed.
- Ensure the well-being of self and other responders.
Examination sources
- Updated EMR and EMT Certification Examinations
Important timelines and information
- Updated EMR and EMT Certification Examinations
About the BLS Certification Examinations, Examination Content
- EMT Examination Specifications
PDF p. 2, Content Outline
- EMT Examination Specifications
PDF p. 2, Content Domains list
- EMT Examination Specifications
PDF p. 4, Content Distribution table
- Updated EMR and EMT Certification Examinations
Updated EMT Certification Examination Domain Information
- EMT Examination Specifications
PDF p. 5, Item Types, Multiple Choice
- EMT Examination Specifications
PDF p. 5, Item Types, Multiple Response
- EMT Examination Specifications
PDF p. 6, Item Types, Options Table
- EMT Examination Specifications
PDF p. 6, Item Types, Build List
- EMT Examination Specifications
PDF p. 6, Item Types, Drag-and-Drop
- EMT Examination Specifications
PDF p. 5, Computerized Adaptive Testing
- EMT Examination Specifications
PDF p. 5, Examination Length
- EMT Examination Specifications
PDF p. 5, Unscored Content
- EMT Examination Specifications
PDF p. 6, Item Types
- EMT Candidate Handbook: About the Examination
Examination Results, Scoring and Accessing of Examination Results
- EMT Full Education Program Pathway
Application Process, EMT initial application
- EMT Candidate Handbook: About the Examination
Authorization to Test (ATT)
Related license preparation
This examination may be required or accepted as an alternative, depending on the license and application pathway.