StateLicensed

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License Requirements in Alabama

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
188 hrs
Upfront cost
$144
Exam
NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination, NREMT EMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 1 year
Issuing board
Alabama Department of Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check. Alabama Admin. Code 420-2-1-.08(1)(a): candidate must turn 18 within 1 year of the entry-level course's completion date (so a candidate may begin training slightly before turning 18). Fingerprint-based state and national criminal background check through the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency is required (420-2-1-.08(2)(c)), at the candidate's expense. A one-time declaration of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence is also required. [6]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 188 hours of training (including 48 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. Alabama Administrative Code 420-2-1-.32(5)(c) sets minimum time frames for the 'Level 3' EMS education program (the level that qualifies a candidate for EMT licensure) at 140 hours of didactic/laboratory instruction plus 48 hours of internship (divisible between emergency room and prehospital ambulance experience), for 188 total hours. The rule states these are floors, not caps -- an accredited program may require more. Program must use the National EMS Education Standards curriculum plus current Alabama EMS Protocol instruction, at an OEMS/CoAEMSP-accredited institution. [1]

  3. 3

    NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination

    Pass the NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination (fee: $104). Computer-adaptive test, 70-120 scored items plus 10 unscored pilot items, up to 2 hours, passing standard of 950 on a 100-1500 scale. Administered at Pearson VUE test centers or via OnVUE remote proctoring. Alabama requires current NREMT certification (Alabama Admin. Code 420-2-1-.08(2)(a)) rather than running its own state cognitive exam. Fee is NREMT's national 2026 rate and is paid to NREMT/Pearson, not to Alabama OEMS. [2]

  4. 4

    NREMT EMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination

    Pass the NREMT EMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination. EMT (BLS level) retains a separate hands-on psychomotor exam even after NREMT's 2024 restructuring removed the standalone psychomotor exam for AEMT/Paramedic. No NREMT-published national fee for this component was found; it is typically coordinated through the candidate's training program or the state EMS office rather than billed directly by NREMT, so left null rather than guessed. [3]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Alabama Department of Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS). [4]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Alabama Department of Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) issues your Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for Alabama.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [4] None specified
License fee [4] $40
Renewal fee [4] $40
NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination [2] $104
NREMT EMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination [3] None specified

OEMS licensure requirements sheet lists a flat 'License Fee - $40.00' with no separate application fee; the licensure.html renewal page confirms the same 'licensure fee' applies at each annual renewal, with a $50 late fee added if renewal is filed after the April 1 deadline. No distinct one-time application fee is charged separately from the license fee.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 1 year.

Alabama EMSP licenses renew annually; OEMS accepts renewal applications January 1 through March 31 each year, with a $50 late fee for applications filed after April 1. Continuing education is governed by NREMT's national recertification cycle (currently 2 years) for Nationally Registered licensees; Alabama additionally requires 1 hour per year of training on interacting with people who have sensory needs or invisible disabilities (effective January 1, 2025). No single fixed annual CE-hour figure is published by OEMS itself for Nationally Registered EMTs (their CE obligation is set by NREMT), so left null rather than guessed.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available. Participates in: EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA / EMS Compact).

Alabama is a confirmed current member state on the EMS Compact Commission's own commissioners page. Out-of-state applicants must hold current NREMT certification and complete an Alabama-specific EMS protocols course before being issued an Alabama EMSP license; Alabama does not issue initial Intermediate EMT licenses to out-of-state applicants (that level is closed to new entrants statewide).

14 state-approved training providers in Alabama — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $40
  • $104
Total$144

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does Alabama require to become an EMT?

Alabama's 'Level 3' EMS education program (the level leading to EMT licensure) requires a minimum of 140 hours of didactic/lab instruction plus 48 hours of internship, for 188 total hours, at an OEMS-accredited program using the National EMS Education Standards curriculum.

Does Alabama require NREMT certification for EMTs?

Yes. Alabama requires current National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification -- both the cognitive exam and the psychomotor skills exam -- before issuing a state EMSP license; Alabama does not run its own separate cognitive exam.

How much does an Alabama EMT license cost?

The Alabama Office of EMS charges a flat $40 license fee for both initial issuance and each annual renewal, plus a $50 late fee if renewal is filed after the April 1 deadline. This is separate from the $104 NREMT cognitive exam fee paid to Pearson VUE.

How often do Alabama EMTs need to renew?

Annually. The Office of EMS accepts renewal applications from January 1 through March 31 each year.

Can an EMT licensed in another state get licensed in Alabama?

Yes, through endorsement: out-of-state applicants must hold current NREMT certification and complete an Alabama EMS protocols course. Alabama is also a member of the EMS Compact (REPLICA), which allows qualifying EMS personnel from other member states to practice under a privilege to practice model.

Sources

  1. [1] admincode.legislature.state.al.us/api/rule/420-2-1-.32 — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] nremt.org/Handbooks/EMT/Cognitive-Exam — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] nremt.org/Pages/Examinations/EMR-and-EMT-Certification-Examinations — accessed 2026-07-12
  4. [4] alabamapublichealth.gov/ems/assets/emsp.licensure.requirements.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  5. [5] alabamapublichealth.gov/ems/licensure.html — accessed 2026-07-12
  6. [6] admincode.legislature.state.al.us/api/rule/420-2-1-.08 — accessed 2026-07-12
  7. [7] emscompact.gov/the-commission/commissioners — accessed 2026-07-12