StateLicensed

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License Requirements in Georgia

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$179
Exam
NREMT EMT Cognitive and Psychomotor Examinations
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of EMS and Trauma (OEMST)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Pass a criminal background check. A specific minimum-age figure was not stated on the official DPH/OEMST pages reached during this research (EMS Personnel Licensure page, initial-licensure checklist document); third-party training-provider pages commonly cite 18, but this was not confirmed on an official Georgia government page, so left null rather than guessed. Background check IS confirmed and mandatory: since January 1, 2025, all EMS Personnel licensure applicants must submit fingerprint-based criminal history records through the Georgia Applicant Processing Service (GAPS), using vendor Idemia/IdentoGO -- the department does not accept criminal history reports from any other source. A notarized Verification of Lawful U.S. Residency form is also required. [2]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete training at a state-approved program. OEMST designates EMS Initial Education Programs at five levels (EMR, EMT, AEMT, Paramedic, Critical Care Paramedic), but the official DPH pages reached during this research (EMS Initial Education, Required EMS Training) did not state a fixed statewide clock-hour minimum for the EMT-level course; that detail appears to live in a separate 'Initial Education Resources and Guidance Documents' page not reached. Third-party sources cite roughly 150+ classroom hours plus 24+ clinical hours, but this was not confirmed on an official page, so left null rather than guessed. [1]

  3. 3

    NREMT EMT Cognitive and Psychomotor Examinations

    Pass the NREMT EMT Cognitive and Psychomotor Examinations (fee: $104). Georgia's EMS Personnel Licensure page states applicants must be 'currently National Registered with full certification at the EMR, EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic level' -- Georgia does not run its own separate state exam; it licenses on top of NREMT certification (the OEMST application form even distinguishes 'Fully Nationally Registered' applicants, who have passed both the cognitive and psychomotor exams, from 'Provisionally Nationally Registered' applicants, who have passed only the cognitive exam). [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of EMS and Trauma (OEMST). [3]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of EMS and Trauma (OEMST) issues your Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License for Georgia.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] None specified
License fee [3] $75
Renewal fee [3] None specified
NREMT EMT Cognitive and Psychomotor Examinations [2] $104
GAPS fingerprint-based criminal history check (paid to the state's fingerprinting vendor, not OEMST) -- fingerprinted in Georgia [3] $51.5
GAPS fingerprint-based criminal history check -- mailed fingerprint card [3] $59.5
Credit/debit card processing surcharge on the $75 application fee [3] $2.75
Late renewal fee (renewal submitted after the regular renewal window closes) [3] $75

OEMST's own 'Steps to apply for Initial EMS Personnel Licensure' document states a non-refundable $75 application fee (plus a $2.75 credit/debit surcharge) paid through the LMS system, and a separate GAPS fingerprint-based background check fee of $51.50 (fingerprinted in Georgia) or $59.50 (mailed card), for a stated total cost range of $124.25-$135.00. The regular (on-time) renewal fee amount was not explicitly stated as a separate figure from the initial application fee on the pages reached, though a $75 late-renewal fee for renewals submitted after the regular window is confirmed; renewal is therefore left null rather than assuming it equals the initial $75 fee.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 40 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Georgia EMS Personnel Licensure page: 'The licenses will expire the same year as your National Registry expiration date,' which follows NREMT's 2-year recertification cycle. The Continuing Education page confirms EMTs (and AEMTs/Paramedics) need 40 hours of State- or CAPCE-approved EMS continuing education per cycle: 8 hours pediatric, 4 hours cardiovascular (STEMI/stroke), 4 hours trauma, and 24 hours general EMS topics (excluding CPR/ACLS). EMT-Responders (EMR) have a reduced 16-hour requirement. The renewal process also requires confirming residency status and disclosing any criminal history since the last renewal.

Reciprocity

No reciprocity or endorsement route was found. Participates in: EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA / EMS Compact).

Georgia's own EMS Personnel Licensure page states explicitly: 'Georgia does not have a reciprocity process. However, to apply for a Georgia license you are required to have a current NREMT registration.' In practice, an out-of-state EMT who holds current NREMT certification applies through the same standard initial-licensure process as any other applicant (GAPS fingerprint background check, $75 LMS application, notarized residency verification) rather than a distinct endorsement track, so endorsementAvailable is set to false per Georgia's own characterization. Separately, Georgia IS a confirmed current member state on the EMS Compact Commission's own commissioners page, which offers a distinct multistate practice-privilege mechanism for personnel from other compact member states.

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

Cost calculator

  • $75
  • $104
Total$179

Frequently asked questions

Does Georgia require the NREMT exam to become an EMT?

Yes -- Georgia licenses EMTs who are already 'Fully Nationally Registered' (passed both the NREMT cognitive and psychomotor exams) or 'Provisionally Nationally Registered' (passed only the cognitive exam so far); Georgia does not run its own separate state exam.

How much does an EMT license cost in Georgia?

A non-refundable $75 application fee (plus a $2.75 credit/debit surcharge) paid through Georgia's LMS system, plus a separate $51.50-$59.50 GAPS fingerprint-based background check fee, for a total of roughly $124-$135.

Does Georgia require a background check for EMT licensure?

Yes -- all applicants must submit fingerprint-based criminal history records through the Georgia Applicant Processing Service (GAPS); the department does not accept background checks from any other source.

How often do Georgia EMTs need to renew?

Georgia EMT licenses expire on the same cycle as the holder's National Registry (NREMT) certification, typically every 2 years, and require 40 hours of continuing education (8 pediatric, 4 cardiovascular, 4 trauma, 24 general EMS topics).

Can an EMT certified in another state get licensed in Georgia?

Georgia states it 'does not have a reciprocity process' -- an out-of-state EMT applies through the same standard licensure process as any applicant, requiring current NREMT registration, the GAPS background check, and the standard application. Georgia is also a member of the EMS Compact (REPLICA), which offers a separate multistate practice-privilege option for personnel from other compact member states.

Sources

  1. [1] dph.georgia.gov/EMS/ems-education/ems-initial-education — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] dph.georgia.gov/ems-personnel-licensure — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] dph.georgia.gov/document/document/checklist-initial-ems-licenses/download — accessed 2026-07-12
  4. [4] dph.georgia.gov/EMS/ems-education/continuing-education — accessed 2026-07-12