StateLicensed

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License Requirements in South Carolina

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$104
Exam
NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination, DPH-Approved Psychomotor (Skills) Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 4 years
Issuing board
South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), EMS and Trauma Section

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Pass a criminal background check. S.C. Code Regs. 60-7 Section 105 (initial certification) requires a state (SLED) and national (FBI) fingerprint-supported criminal history background check for all EMT-basic, AEMT, and Paramedic applicants, plus documentation of a current NREMT credential for the level sought. The regulation text reviewed does not itself state a minimum applicant age for EMT-basic certification (it does set an 18-year minimum for ambulance drivers specifically, a related but distinct role), so minAge is left null rather than assumed from NREMT's general national eligibility guidance. [2]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete training at a state-approved program. S.C. Code Regs. 60-7, Section 110 requires applicants to complete a Department-approved training program that meets or exceeds NREMT standards for the EMT-basic level, then pass the NREMT cognitive exam and a Department-approved psychomotor exam -- but the regulation does not itself set a fixed statewide clock-hour minimum for the EMT-basic course (it defers to the NREMT/National EMS Education Standards). No separate DPH-published hour figure was located, so left null rather than guessed. [1]

  3. 3

    NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination

    Pass the NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination (fee: $104). S.C. Code Regs. 60-7 Section 110 requires applicants to pass the NREMT cognitive exam after completing a Department-approved training program. $104 is NREMT's own published national EMT cognitive-exam fee; DPH's own page does not republish this number, so verify current pricing directly with NREMT before publishing a verified page. [1]

  4. 4

    DPH-Approved Psychomotor (Skills) Examination

    Pass the DPH-Approved Psychomotor (Skills) Examination. Required by S.C. Code Regs. 60-7 Section 110 in addition to the NREMT cognitive exam. No separate published DPH fee for the psychomotor exam was found -- it is typically administered through the approved training program, so left null rather than guessed. [1]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), EMS and Trauma Section. Typical processing time: 7-10 business days after all required documentation is received (typical). [3]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), EMS and Trauma Section issues your Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-Basic) Certificate for South Carolina.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] None specified
License fee [2] None specified
Renewal fee [2] None specified
NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination [1] $104
DPH-Approved Psychomotor (Skills) Examination [1] None specified

S.C. Code Regs. 60-7 (Sections 105-107, initial certification and renewal) lists required documentation (NREMT credential, criminal background check, CPR/ACLS credential) but does not set a separate dollar application, initial-certificate, or renewal fee payable to DPH beyond the NREMT/Pearson VUE exam fee and the criminal background check vendor fee (paid to SLED/IdentoGO, not DPH). No DPH-published certification fee schedule was located, so all three are left null.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 4 years.

S.C. Code Regs. 60-7 Section 106.C: the EMT-basic, AEMT, and Paramedic Certificate is valid for a period not exceeding four (4) years from the date of issuance. Section 107 (renewal) requires a renewal application at least 30 days before expiration with documentation of current NREMT credentials (or continuous certification predating Oct. 1, 2006), a new state/national criminal background check, and a current CPR credential -- continuing education is satisfied through maintaining NREMT recertification (whose own CE requirement is a 40-hour National Continued Competency Program cycle) rather than a separate DPH-set CE-hour number, so ceHours is left null to avoid conflating the NREMT figure with a DPH regulatory requirement.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available. Participates in: EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA).

S.C. Code Regs. 60-7 Section 109: candidates holding a current NREMT credential may apply for direct reciprocity at the matching level; candidates holding a current out-of-state certification but no current NREMT credential may apply for a one-year, non-renewable provisional certification instead. All reciprocity candidates must complete the same state/national criminal background check as initial applicants. South Carolina is listed as a current member state on the EMS Compact Commission's own member-state page (emscompact.gov).

9 state-approved training providers in South Carolina — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $104
Total$104

Frequently asked questions

Does South Carolina require the NREMT exam to become an EMT?

Yes. Applicants must complete a DPH-approved EMT training program and then pass both the NREMT cognitive exam and a DPH-approved psychomotor (skills) exam before applying for South Carolina EMT certification.

How long does South Carolina EMT certification processing take?

DPH's own EMT Certification Links FAQ states the process typically takes 7-10 business days once all required documentation has been received, though timing depends on the order applications arrive.

How often do South Carolina EMTs need to renew their certification?

Every 4 years. S.C. Code Regs. 60-7 Section 106.C sets EMT-basic, AEMT, and Paramedic Certificates to be valid for a period not exceeding four years from the date of issuance.

Does South Carolina require a background check for EMT certification?

Yes. Both initial and renewal applicants must undergo a state (SLED) and national (FBI) fingerprint-supported criminal history background check under S.C. Code Regs. 60-7 Sections 105 and 107.

Can an EMT certified in another state get certified in South Carolina?

Yes. Under S.C. Code Regs. 60-7 Section 109, candidates with a current NREMT credential can apply for direct reciprocity; candidates with a current out-of-state certification but no NREMT credential can apply for a one-year provisional certification. South Carolina is also a member of the EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA).

Sources

  1. [1] dph.sc.gov/professionals/healthcare-quality/emergency-medical-technician-emt-certification-requirements — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] dph.sc.gov/sites/scdph/files/Library/Regulations/R.60-7.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] dph.sc.gov/professionals/healthcare-quality/ems-and-trauma/emt-certification-links — accessed 2026-07-12