StateLicensed

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License Requirements in Illinois

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$189
Exam
Illinois EMS Systems Licensing Examination, NREMT EMT Cognitive Exam (alternative to the Illinois State Licensing Exam)
Renewal cycle
Every 4 years
Issuing board
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of EMS and Highway Safety

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Pass a criminal background check. IDPH's own renewal brochure requires a signed 'felony conviction declaration' as part of licensure, and the EMS Systems Act (210 ILCS 50) framework is widely described (via secondary sources) as requiring a criminal background check/fingerprinting as part of licensure. Non-official aggregator sites commonly cite a minimum age of 18, but this was not independently confirmed against IDPH's own published rule text during this research session (IDPH's instruction-guide page returned a server error, and the administrative code is hosted at ilga.gov, a known bot-blocked host), so minAge is left null rather than guessed. [2]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete training at a state-approved program. IDPH requires completion of an approved EMS system education program but its official EMS Licensing/Testing & Education pages accessed during this research session did not display a single fixed total-hour figure for EMT-Basic. Non-official aggregator and training-provider sites commonly cite roughly 150-200 hours (with 180 hours cited as a common core-curriculum figure), but this was not independently confirmed against IDPH's own published curriculum standard or administrative code (77 Ill. Admin. Code 515), so hours is left null rather than guessed. [1]

  3. 3

    Illinois EMS Systems Licensing Examination

    Pass the Illinois EMS Systems Licensing Examination (fee: $20). IDPH's Testing & Education page states that qualifying candidates may elect to take either the Illinois State Licensing Exam or the National Registry (NREMT) Exam. Illinois is unusual among states in running its own state licensing exam as the default pathway rather than requiring NREMT; NREMT is offered as an alternative candidates may elect instead. The $20 fee is IDPH's published Examination Fee for EMT-B, consistent across an IDPH fee schedule dated 1/2012 and an IDPH renewal brochure dated 5/2017 — verify current pricing before publishing a verified page, since neither document is recent. [2]

  4. 4

    NREMT EMT Cognitive Exam (alternative to the Illinois State Licensing Exam)

    Pass the NREMT EMT Cognitive Exam (alternative to the Illinois State Licensing Exam) (fee: $104). Computer-adaptive test (CAT); Illinois candidates who pass the NREMT cognitive and psychomotor exams may use that certification to apply for an Illinois EMT-B license instead of sitting the Illinois State Licensing Exam. The $104 figure is NREMT's nationally published EMT cognitive exam fee, paid to NREMT rather than IDPH — verify current pricing in the official NREMT Candidate Handbook before publishing a verified page. [1]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of EMS and Highway Safety with the $20 application fee. [2]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of EMS and Highway Safety issues your Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B) for Illinois.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] $20
License fee [2] $45
Renewal fee [2] $20
Illinois EMS Systems Licensing Examination [2] $20
NREMT EMT Cognitive Exam (alternative to the Illinois State Licensing Exam) [1] $104
Reinstatement fee (license reinstated within 36 months of expiration) [2] $45
Reciprocity fee (out-of-state applicant) [2] $50
Duplicate license fee [2] $10
Late renewal fee (renewing within 60 days of expiration) [2] $50

Figures shown ($20 Examination Fee, $45 Initial Licensure Fee, $20 Renewal Fee, $45 Reinstatement, $50 Reciprocity, $10 Duplicate, $50 late fee) are consistent across an IDPH EMS Systems Fee Schedule dated 1/2012 (77 Ill. Admin. Code 515.460) and an IDPH EMS License Renewals brochure dated 5/2017 — both are official IDPH documents but not recently updated; verify current amounts before publishing a verified page. IDPH also offers a fee waiver for Illinois National Guard members, Illinois State Troopers, and qualifying low-population volunteers.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 4 years. 60 continuing education hours required per cycle.

IDPH's EMS License Renewals brochure describes a 'four-year license renewal cycle' and requires 60 hours of approved continuing medical education for EMT-B (80 hours for AEMT/EMT-Intermediate, 100 for Paramedic), plus current CPR-for-healthcare-providers certification and EMS Medical Director approval. Licenses not renewed within 60 days of expiration incur a $50 late fee; licenses can be reinstated within 36 months of expiring. As of renewals on/after Jan 1, 2023, at least 1 hour of Alzheimer's/dementia training is required per renewal period.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

IDPH's own EMS License Renewals brochure states: 'IDPH may grant reciprocity for qualified applicants based on the applicant holding a current out of state license or National Registry Certificate. Reciprocity is based on equivalent education, testing, and scope of practice with the applicable Illinois license.' Applications may be submitted any time but must be filed at least 60 days before the applicant's out-of-state credential expires; the reciprocity fee is $50. Illinois is not a current member of the EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA), per the compact commission's own commissioner roster (emscompact.gov/the-commission/commissioners, accessed 2026-07-12).

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

Cost calculator

  • $20
  • $45
  • $20
  • $104
Total$189

Frequently asked questions

Does Illinois require the NREMT exam to become an EMT?

No — Illinois runs its own Illinois EMS Systems Licensing Examination (administered by Continental Testing Services). Candidates may elect to take that exam or the NREMT cognitive/psychomotor exams instead.

How much does it cost to get an EMT-B license in Illinois?

IDPH's published fee schedule lists a $20 examination fee and a $45 initial licensure fee for EMT-B (figures from IDPH documents dated 2012 and 2017 — verify current pricing before relying on them).

How often do Illinois EMTs need to renew their license?

Every four years. EMT-B renewal requires 60 hours of approved continuing medical education, current CPR certification, and EMS Medical Director approval.

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

Yes, through IDPH's reciprocity process, available to applicants holding a current out-of-state license or National Registry certificate, based on equivalent education, testing, and scope of practice. The reciprocity fee is $50.

Sources

  1. [1] dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/emergency-preparedness-response/ems/testing-education.html — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/files/forms/ems-license-renewals-brochure-05122017.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12