Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License Requirements in Arkansas
- Training hours
- —
- Upfront cost
- $124
- Exam
- NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination, Arkansas EMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Arkansas Department of Health, Section of Emergency Medical Services
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check. Per the ADH EMS Accreditation Manual, a student must be 18 years of age to take the National Registry certification examination (students under 18 who complete all state-required coursework may instead pursue a National Registry Assessment exam pathway). An Arkansas criminal history background check, including both state and federal checks, is required for all initial EMSP licensure applications (20 CAR 81-109 / ADH's EMS licensure background-check notice), along with payment of an applicable background-check fee whose amount was not published on the pages found. [1]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete training at a state-approved program. The Arkansas Section of EMS's own EMT/AEMT Accreditation Manual states course length is 'based on competency, with an estimated time of approximately 150-190 clock hours for EMT' -- an explicit stated range rather than a single fixed minimum, so left null rather than picking one number from the range. Curriculum must meet or exceed the current National EMS Education Standards and include didactic, laboratory, clinical instruction/observation, and field internship phases, with a minimum of 10 patient assessments. [1]
- 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. Arkansas Code Ann. 20-13-211 authorizes the Department to charge 'a testing fee not to exceed the cost of administering the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians examination,' i.e. the state's exam-related charge is pegged to the NREMT fee rather than layered on top of it. To sit for the National Registry exam a candidate generally must be 18; the accreditation manual notes candidates under 18 who have completed all state-required coursework may instead take a National Registry Assessment exam pathway. [1]
- 4
Arkansas EMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination
Pass the Arkansas EMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination. Two skills scenarios (Trauma and Medical), evaluated individually by two experienced/unbiased providers or one licensed EMS Instructor; alternatively, an Instructor Assessment Exam on specific National Registry skills may be conducted in lieu of the scenario-based format. Arkansas licensure requires 'successful completion of both the Arkansas practical skills examination, or documented verification of skills proficiency, and the NREMT certification process' -- i.e. Arkansas runs its own state-specific psychomotor exam (per its EMT Psychomotor Examination Users Guide) rather than relying on NREMT's psychomotor component. No separate state fee for this exam was found published; left null rather than guessed. [1]
- 5
Submit your application
Submit your application to Arkansas Department of Health, Section of Emergency Medical Services. [2]
- 6
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Arkansas Department of Health, Section of Emergency Medical Services issues your Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for Arkansas.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [2] | None specified |
| License fee [2] | $20 |
| Renewal fee [2] | $20 |
| NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination [1] | $104 |
| Arkansas EMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination [1] | None specified |
Arkansas Code Ann. 20-13-211: 'The licensure fee for emergency medical services personnel...shall not exceed twenty dollars ($20.00)' for initial licensure, and 'the biennial renewal of the emergency medical services personnel licensure...shall not exceed twenty dollars ($20.00).' No separate application fee distinct from the licensure fee was found, so left null. A separate Arkansas state and federal criminal background check fee is also required per application (per ADH's own EMS licensure background-check notice), but the dollar amount was not published on the pages found, so is not itemized under 'other.'
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years. 40 continuing education hours required per cycle.
Arkansas EMSP licensure (including EMT) renews biennially (A.C.A. 20-13-211; 'EMSP instructor licensure is for a two (2) year period to run concurrently with the current EMSP level of licensure' per the EMS rules, and general EMT/AEMT/paramedic renewals follow the same 2-year cycle). Continuing education for EMT renewal is 40 total hours within the cycle: 20 hours meeting NREMT's national recertification topics, 10 hours in specified Arkansas topics (Arkansas Trauma System, Pediatric, Stroke/CVA, and Cardiology at 2 hours each, plus Documentation and Ethics/Professionalism at 1 hour each), and 10 hours in any EMS-related topic. Current NREMT certification/verification and a current AHA-guideline BLS/CPR card (with hands-on skills checkoff) are also required at renewal.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available. Participates in: EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA / EMS Compact).
Arkansas is a confirmed current member state on the EMS Compact Commission's own commissioners page. Out-of-state applicants apply through the ADH Section of EMS's standard EMSP licensure application process; the ADH EMS rules (007.03.22 Ark. Code R. 001) separately address licensure for uniformed service members/veterans who hold NREMT certification, but a distinct general 'endorsement' article beyond standard licensure and the EMS Compact was not located in the sources accessed.
21 state-approved training providers in Arkansas — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $20
- $104
Frequently asked questions
How many training hours does Arkansas require to become an EMT?
The Arkansas Section of EMS describes EMT course length as competency-based, estimated at approximately 150-190 clock hours, rather than a single fixed minimum, covering didactic, laboratory, clinical, and field internship phases.
Does Arkansas require the NREMT exam to become an EMT?
Yes, both components: the NREMT cognitive exam AND Arkansas's own state-run psychomotor (skills) exam (two scenario-based stations, or an Instructor Assessment Exam alternative) -- Arkansas does not rely on NREMT's own psychomotor component.
How much does an Arkansas EMT license cost?
Arkansas Code Ann. 20-13-211 caps the initial licensure fee at $20 and the biennial renewal fee at $20, plus a separate criminal background check fee and the NREMT cognitive exam fee ($104, paid to Pearson VUE).
How often do Arkansas EMTs need to renew their license?
Every two years (biennially), with 40 hours of continuing education required across NREMT national topics, specified Arkansas state/local topics, and general EMS topics, plus current NREMT verification and a current AHA-guideline BLS/CPR card.
Can an EMT licensed in another state get licensed in Arkansas?
Arkansas is a member of the EMS Compact (REPLICA), which allows qualifying EMS personnel from other member states to practice under a privilege to practice model; out-of-state applicants can also apply directly through the ADH Section of EMS's standard EMSP licensure process.
Sources
- [1] healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Basic_Accreditation_Manual_8-26-20.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
- [2] codes.findlaw.com/ar/title-20-public-health-and-welfare/ar-code-sect-20-13-211.html — accessed 2026-07-12
- [3] aremslicense.adh.arkansas.gov/lms/public/controller.cfm — accessed 2026-07-12
- [4] emscompact.gov/the-commission/commissioners — accessed 2026-07-12