StateLicensed

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License Requirements in Oregon

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
160 hrs
Upfront cost
$214
Exam
NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination, NREMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Oregon Health Authority, Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems Program

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check. Oregon requires EMT applicants to be at least 18 years old and to hold a High School diploma or equivalency. All initial applicants must submit an FBI fingerprint-based national background check (fingerprinting via Fieldprint, at an additional charge to the applicant), per OAR 333-265-0025; reciprocity applicants must consent to a criminal records check under the same rule. [2]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 160 hours of training (including 8 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. The Oregon Health Authority's EMS Provider Education page states the length of an initial EMT course is approximately 160 hours. OAR 333-265-0014 separately requires at least 8 hours of clinical education in a hospital/acute-care setting plus at least 8 hours of prehospital experience under the supervision of an EMT or above (16 combined field/clinical hours); clinicalHours here reflects the hospital/clinical component only. [1]

  3. 3

    NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination

    Pass the NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination (fee: $104). Oregon requires current NREMT certification for EMT licensure (unlike EMR or EMT-Intermediate, where it is not required). $104 is NREMT's current published national EMT cognitive exam fee. [2]

  4. 4

    NREMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination

    Pass the NREMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination. Applicants must submit proof of passing required cognitive and psychomotor examinations as part of NREMT certification. No separate NREMT-published national fee for the psychomotor component was found; typically coordinated through the training program, so left null. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Oregon Health Authority, Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems Program with the $110 application fee. [3]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Oregon Health Authority, Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems Program issues your Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for Oregon.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $110
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $55
NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination [2] $104
NREMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination [2] None specified
Reciprocity licensure fee [3] $140
Late renewal fee (submitted on/after June 1) [3] $40
Provisional licensure fee [3] $50

OAR 333-265-0030 sets a $110 initial EMT application fee and a $55 renewal fee; reciprocity licensure is $140. There is no separate license-issuance fee distinct from the initial application fee, so license is left null to avoid double-counting.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 24 continuing education hours required per cycle.

OAR 333-265-0045: EMT (and AEMT, EMT-Intermediate, Paramedic) licenses expire June 30 of every odd year, functioning as a 2-year cycle; the renewal window is April 1 - June 30, with a $40 late fee for submissions on or after June 1. OAR 333-265-0110 requires 24 hours of continuing education (per Appendix 1) or completion of National Registry recertification requirements for the EMT level.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

OAR 333-265-0050: a person registered with the National Registry as an EMT (or EMR/AEMT/Paramedic) may apply for licensure by reciprocity by submitting a completed application with the applicable nonrefundable fee ($140 for EMT), proof that their training meets Oregon requirements, consent to a criminal records check, and -- if licensed elsewhere -- proof of good standing with that state's licensing agency and with the National Registry. Oregon reciprocity is built on NREMT registration rather than simple acceptance of another state's license alone. Oregon was not listed among current member states on the EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA) commission's own commissioners page (emscompact.gov/the-commission/commissioners) as of the accessed date, and OAR 333-265-0050 makes no mention of the compact, so compacts is left empty.

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

Cost calculator

  • $110
  • $104
Total$214

Frequently asked questions

Does Oregon require the NREMT exam to become an EMT?

Yes. Oregon requires current NREMT certification for EMT licensure, meaning candidates must pass the NREMT cognitive exam ($104, via Pearson VUE) and psychomotor exam, after completing an approved ~160-hour EMT course.

How old do you have to be to become an EMT in Oregon?

At least 18 years old, with a High School diploma or equivalency required.

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

The initial application fee is $110, and renewal is $55 every 2 years (licenses expire June 30 of odd years), per OAR 333-265-0030. A $40 late fee applies for renewals submitted on or after June 1.

Does Oregon require a background check for EMT licensure?

Yes. All initial applicants must submit an FBI fingerprint-based national background check (via Fieldprint, at the applicant's expense), per OAR 333-265-0025.

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

Yes, via reciprocity under OAR 333-265-0050, but Oregon's reciprocity pathway is built on National Registry (NREMT) registration -- applicants must be NREMT-registered and, if licensed elsewhere, in good standing with both that state and the National Registry, plus consent to a criminal records check and pay a $140 fee.

Sources

  1. [1] oregon.gov/oha/ph/providerpartnerresources/ems/pages/ems-provider-education.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] oregon.gov/oha/ph/providerpartnerresources/ems/pages/ems-provider-licensing.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] oregon.public.law/rules/oar_333-265-0030 — accessed 2026-07-12
  4. [4] oregon.public.law/rules/oar_333-265-0110 — accessed 2026-07-12
  5. [5] oregon.public.law/rules/oar_333-265-0050 — accessed 2026-07-12