Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License Requirements in Nebraska
- Training hours
- —
- Upfront cost
- $104
- Exam
- NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Emergency Health Systems
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Pass a criminal background check. Nebraska's EMS Provider Application states fingerprints are required to be eligible for an EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic license (not required for EMR), processed through the Nebraska State Patrol with an additional $55.00 FBI nationwide criminal background check fee paid via PAYPORT; applicants must also disclose all misdemeanor/felony convictions with supporting court documentation. No fixed minimum-age figure was located on the DHHS licensing page or the provider application itself, so minAge is left null rather than guessed. Applicants must also document U.S. citizenship or lawful presence. [1]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete training at a state-approved program. Nebraska's EMS Provider Application requires proof of completion of a course for the level of licensure applied for (Training Agency name and completion date), but no fixed statewide classroom-hour figure for the initial EMT course is published on DHHS's licensing page or the provider application itself. Left null rather than citing a third-party estimate. (Note: dhhs.ne.gov is DNS-dead to some automated clients; content in this record was retrieved via a scraping service with browser rendering rather than direct fetch.) [1]
- 3
NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination
Pass the NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination (fee: $104). Computer-adaptive test administered at Pearson VUE test centers or via OnVUE remote proctoring. Nebraska's EMS Provider Application (Section I) requires initial applicants to submit their National Registry Certification card at the level of licensure applied for -- Nebraska does not run a separate state exam for EMT. Fee is NREMT's published national rate paid to NREMT/Pearson, not to DHHS. [1]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Emergency Health Systems. [2]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Emergency Health Systems issues your Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for Nebraska.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [2] | None specified |
| License fee [2] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [2] | None specified |
| NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination [1] | $104 |
| Reinstatement fee (expired/inactive/voluntarily surrendered license) [2] | $35 |
| FBI nationwide criminal background check (paid via PAYPORT) [2] | $55 |
| License certification/verification request (to send to another state) [2] | $25 |
DHHS's EMS Licensing page and provider application do not list an initial application, license, or renewal fee for EMT -- only a $35.00 reinstatement fee for lapsed/inactive/surrendered licenses, and a separate $55.00 FBI background-check fee (paid directly to the FBI process via PAYPORT, not to DHHS as a licensing fee) and a $25.00 out-of-state certification/verification request fee. Left the three core fields null rather than guessed, consistent with a search summary stating 'there is no fee for initial licensing or renewal at any level.'
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years. 20 continuing education hours required per cycle.
DHHS's EMS Licensing page lists EMT renewal due 3/31 of even years with 20 required CE hours, meeting the national component of the National Continuing Competency Program's continued competency requirements, or by being currently Nationally Registered at the EMT level. Full continuing-competency detail is in Title 172 NAC 11, Section 7.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available. Participates in: EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA / EMS Compact).
Nebraska is a confirmed current member state on the EMS Compact Commission's own commissioners page. Outside of the Compact, an applicant licensed/certified in another jurisdiction must submit Attachment A (certification of all credentials held in each state) with their Nebraska application, and Nebraska will accept certification of that out-of-state credential directly from the issuing agency. Nebraska also offers a Military Spouse Temporary Credential (Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 38-129.01) for spouses of active-duty service members stationed in Nebraska who hold an active credential in another state, valid up to 1 year pending permanent licensure.
5 state-approved training providers in Nebraska — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $104
Frequently asked questions
Does Nebraska require NREMT certification for EMTs?
Yes. Nebraska's EMS Provider Application requires initial applicants to submit a copy of their National Registry (NREMT) Certification card at the EMT level -- Nebraska does not run a separate state cognitive exam.
Is there a state fee to get an EMT license in Nebraska?
No general application or license fee is published for initial EMT licensure. The main costs are the $55 FBI background check fee (paid via PAYPORT) and the NREMT cognitive exam fee (about $104, paid to Pearson VUE). A $35 fee applies only to reinstatement of a lapsed license.
Does Nebraska require a background check for EMT licensure?
Yes. Fingerprints are required for EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic applicants (not EMR), processed through the Nebraska State Patrol, with a separate $55 FBI nationwide criminal background check fee.
How often do Nebraska EMTs need to renew their license?
Every 2 years, due March 31 of even years, with 20 hours of continuing education meeting NCCP national-component standards, or by maintaining current NREMT registration.
Is Nebraska part of the EMS Compact?
Yes. Nebraska is a confirmed member state of the EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA), allowing EMS personnel licensed in other member states a Privilege to Practice in Nebraska.
Sources
- [1] dhhs.ne.gov/OEHS%20Program%20Documents/EMS%20Provider%20Application.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
- [2] dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/EHS-EMS-Licensing.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12