StateLicensed

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License Requirements in Michigan

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
194 hrs
Upfront cost
$144
Exam
National Registry Written (Cognitive) Examination, Practical (Psychomotor) Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 3 years
Issuing board
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Division of EMS and Systems of Care

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check. MCL 333.20950(2)(a) requires an applicant to be 18 years of age or older (the initial-education-programs manual notes no additional program admission prerequisites for EMT students beyond this). MDHHS's licensing FAQ confirms all applicants for a Michigan EMS license undergo a criminal background check via the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), and the department reviews all criminal matters -- including misdemeanors and felonies -- to determine license eligibility. [2]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 194 hours of training (including 32 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. MDHHS's 'Requirements and Objectives for Initial Education Programs' sets EMT course length at 194 total hours (didactic, psychomotor, assessments, and exam time), of which the category-hours breakdown accounts for 162 hours plus a separately-tracked minimum of 32 clinical hours (162 + 32 = 194) at a BLS, LALS, or ALS transporting Life Support Agency. Course must be MDHHS-approved and follow the National EMS Education Standards plus Michigan-specific required objectives (medical-legal, code of ethics, supraglottic airway, epinephrine/ondansetron administration). [1]

  3. 3

    National Registry Written (Cognitive) Examination

    Pass the National Registry Written (Cognitive) Examination (fee: $104). Computer-adaptive test administered at Pearson VUE test centers or via OnVUE remote proctoring. Michigan Public Health Code MCL 333.20950(2)(c)(ii) requires an EMT applicant to pass a written examination and pay the fee for it directly to NREMT (or another department-approved organization) -- an evaluation developed by NREMT or an equivalent national body. Michigan does not require providers to maintain current NREMT registration after initial licensure (MCL 333.20954(6)). [2]

  4. 4

    Practical (Psychomotor) Examination

    Pass the Practical (Psychomotor) Examination. MCL 333.20950(2)(c)(ii) requires the practical exam to be proctored by MDHHS or its designee, distinct from the NREMT-fee written exam; the statute does not set a separate state fee for the practical component, so left null rather than guessed. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Division of EMS and Systems of Care. [2]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Division of EMS and Systems of Care issues your Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for Michigan.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] None specified
License fee [2] $40
Renewal fee [2] $25
National Registry Written (Cognitive) Examination [2] $104
Practical (Psychomotor) Examination [2] None specified
Late renewal fee (postmarked after expiration) [2] $50
Reciprocity/out-of-state initial licensure fee [2] $175

MCL 333.20950(6) sets a triennial EMT licensure fee of $40.00 (no separate application fee is set apart from this licensure fee). MCL 333.20954(2) sets the on-time EMT renewal fee at $25.00, with a $50.00 late fee under 333.20954(3) if renewal is postmarked after the expiration date. A relicensure fee of $175 applies if a lapsed license is reinstated after the 60-day grace period, per the MDHHS licensing FAQ (not itself a normal renewal fee).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 3 years. 30 continuing education hours required per cycle.

MCL 333.20950(5): a license is effective for 3 years from issuance. MDHHS's Requirements page CE chart sets EMT renewal continuing education at 30 total hours, distributed across Preparatory, Airway/Ventilation, Patient Assessment, Medical, BLS-Healthcare-Provider, Trauma, Special Considerations (with required pediatric sub-credits), and Operations (minimum 1 Emergency Preparedness credit) categories, OR completion of a Michigan-approved EMT refresher course, plus current BLS Healthcare Provider CPR certification. Renewal window opens 60 days before expiration; a 60-day grace period follows expiration before the license lapses.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Michigan is not a current member of the EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA) per the compact commission's own commissioners list (as of access date). Michigan instead runs its own reciprocity process: a currently-licensed out-of-state provider must have passed both National Registry exams (cognitive and psychomotor) at least once at the level applied for (current NREMT status is not required), submit an Out of State Verification form, and file a Michigan Initial Licensure Application; the reciprocity fee is $175.00 for all levels.

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

Cost calculator

  • $40
  • $104
Total$144

Frequently asked questions

How many hours of training does Michigan require to become an EMT?

MDHHS's Requirements and Objectives for Initial Education Programs sets EMT course length at 194 total hours, including 32 minimum clinical hours, at an MDHHS-approved program using the National EMS Education Standards plus Michigan-required objectives.

Does Michigan require ongoing NREMT registration for EMTs?

No. Michigan EMT applicants must pass both National Registry exams (cognitive and practical) at least once at their level, but MCL 333.20954(6) specifically states providers are not required to maintain current national registry status as a condition of license renewal.

How much does it cost to get an EMT license in Michigan?

MCL 333.20950(6) sets a $40.00 triennial licensure fee for EMTs, separate from the NREMT written exam fee (about $104, paid to Pearson VUE). On-time renewal costs $25.00 every 3 years; a $50 late fee applies if renewal is postmarked after expiration.

How often do Michigan EMTs need to renew their license?

Every 3 years, per MCL 333.20950(5). Renewal requires 30 hours of MDHHS-approved continuing education across required categories (or an approved refresher course) plus current BLS Healthcare Provider CPR certification.

Can an EMT licensed in another state transfer their license to Michigan?

Yes, through Michigan's reciprocity process: the applicant must have passed both NREMT exams at the EMT level (current registration not required), submit an Out of State Verification form, and pay a $175 reciprocity fee. Michigan is not a member of the EMS Compact (REPLICA).

Sources

  1. [1] michigan.gov/mdhhs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdhhs/Inside-MDHHS/Policy-and-Planning/EMS/New-Uploads/23-5-30/260429-Requirements-and-Objectives-Document-42026.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/legislationpolicy/ems/inside/requirements — accessed 2026-07-12
  4. [4] michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/legislationpolicy/ems/personnellic/frequently-asked-questions-faqs — accessed 2026-07-12