EMT Exams in the District of Columbia

Emergency Medical Technicians or ambulance technicians are the two terms that are used to describe the care providers in the case of emergencies. EMTs are skilled to provide medical assistance quickly and efficiently in various casualties, such as trauma, accidents, mishap, or any other crisis. They are trained to provide first aid care and relief to patients till the time they are admitted to the hospital. For becoming a skilled and qualified EMT, a person is required to take up program and post that, take exams in order to obtain a national certification.

EMT exams in the District of Columbia are conducted by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).

Components of the EMT Exams

Cognitive Exam

The cognitive exam conducted by the NREMT is a computer adaptive examination where a candidate is allotted 2 hours to complete the given number of questions that range from 70-120. In this test, the student’s knowledge and skills are tested in different areas of competency, like obstetrics, gynecology, respiration, ventilation, airways, and all sorts of EMS operations.

Psychomotor Exam

In order to clear the psychomotor exams, a candidate is required to demonstrate his/her prowess and competency in a wide range of emergency care skills, such as assessment/management of the trauma patient, assessment/management of a medical patient, bag-valve-mask ventilation of apneic patient, immobilization of long bone fracture, immobilization of joint dislocation, traction splinting, bleeding control, administration of oxygen to an unconscious patient through mouth, oxygen administration to a breathing patient, etc.

Registration and Scheduling for the EMT Exams

On finishing the EMT program, if an aspirant wants to take up the exams, he/she can apply for it. Being found eligible for the same, the NREMT will notify him/her via postcard eligibility letter. There are two clauses associated with the examinations- the first is that the candidate is supposed to clear all the exams within the period of 6 months, and the second is that the applicant has to clear all the tests within 6 attempts at the max.

The candidate can register and schedule the test via the internet, fax, standard mail, or telephone.

Fax Registration and Scheduling

For the sake of getting registered via the fax, you need to have a valid Master/Visa card and fill up its number and expiration date. While providing information, make sure that it is absolutely correct, as if there is going to be any mistake in the registration form, it will be sent back to you for error(s) rectification.

Internet Registration and Scheduling

The internet is the fastest mode to get registered and schedule your EMT exams in the District of Columbia. A valid Master/Visa card is mandatory to make payment of the fees via this method. Also, you need to provide the number of your credit card, as well as its expiration date. As soon as you register through this medium, you will be directed to a screen where you can select the preferred date and location from the list to take your exam.

Telephone Registration and Scheduling

It is the second fastest medium to get registered for the EMT exams. For this mode of registration, you need to have a valid Master/Visa card. Candidates also have the opportunity to register during the non-business hours as well through the Interactive Voice Response System (IVR). While registering, you need to tell your credit card number and its expiration date.

Registration and Scheduling through Standard Mail

This method is meant for all those candidates, who do not want to reveal their credit card and other type of confidential information. This method uses banker’s check and money order for the sake of registration. You need to fill the registration form given in the bulletin and then, send it to the respective address. While paying through the banker’s check or money order, ensure that your name is printed on it for the sake of proper assignment of the fee.

Cancellation and Rescheduling of the EMT Exams

The NREMT has a provision to cancel and reschedule the exam, in case; a student does not wish to take it on the given date. But, certain terms and conditions are associated with this provision. In order to cancel your examination, you are supposed to inform at least 2 days prior to your scheduled test date. However, if you fail to do so, your registration will be deemed as invalid, and you will not be even refunded any fee.

If the candidate wants to reschedule his/her test, it is possible, but not on the same day due to scoring and reporting. For example, if you are supposed to take up the exam on Tuesday, but you want to cancel and reschedule it, you can do it either on Wednesday or even Thursday depending upon the seat availability at your preferred location.

Missed Appointment or Late Cancellation

For taking up EMT exams in the District of Columbia, abiding by rules and regulations is must for all the aspirants. All the candidates should report to the exam site minimum 30 minutes before the commencement of the test to complete the sign-in process and get acquainted with the examination center and other testing procedures.

In the following cases, the student’s examination will get cancelled along with the forfeiture of the fees.

1. If the candidate doesn’t appear for the examination and not even inform well in advance.
2. If the applicant arrives late at the test center after the exam has already been commenced.
3. If the aspirant arrives for the EMT examination on time, but fails to provide requisite identity documents.

Reporting to the Examination Site

It is advised and expected from all the candidates to report at least ½ an hour before the exam starts to complete the sign-in process and get well familiarized with the environment of the center. All the aspirants also need to sign a bond of confidentiality stating that they will not share any information related to the test with any other student.

As you report to the examination site, you are expected to present at least two forms of identity proofs to validate your identity. Out of the two ID proofs that you present, one has to be a government-issued card, such as state Id, passport, driving license, etc. It should have your photograph and signature on it. Besides, Paramedics and Intermediates are also expected to bring along either the certificate of their current EMT program or the OEMS issued reinstatement.

Note- Student identity cards or employment cards are not considered to be valid and will not be counted as the proof of your identity.

While reporting to the exam site, you should also make sure that you do not bring along the items and commodities that are strictly prohibited, such as laptops, cameras, camcorders, recorders, watches, alarms, handbags, dictionaries and thesauruses, reference materials, etc.

Exam Results

Students are expected to score minimum 80 percent marks in order to clear the EMT exam. Grades of all the appearing candidates are analyzed statistically to ensure the accuracy of the results. Results of all the aspirants (whether pass or fail) will be published on the website, which is password-secured. It means that only you can view your result and no one else can.

Applicants can view their results by entering their date of birth and social security number issued at the time of their registration. Below is the step-wise procedure for viewing your result:

Step 1- Open the website, log into your account and choose the option “grade report”.

Step 2- Next, you have to choose the option “profession” from the given set of options.

Step 3- The screen will pop-up asking you to enter your DOB and social security number.

Step 4- As you enter the details, you will be directed to a screen, which will show you the status of your result.

Note- In no case, the result of the candidate will be given in hand personally or sent via the mail, or narrated over the telephone. If you wish to obtain a hard copy of your result, you can take a printout from the website itself.

All the candidates are given 6 attempts to clear the EMT exams failing to which will leave them with no option other than completing the whole program again. However, after three unsuccessful attempts, the applicant is required to present the official documents of completion of 24 hours of remedial program. Post that, he/she is given three additional attempts to clear the examinations.

Tips for Preparing for the EMT Exams

1. Answering questions precisely is the best way to nail any examination. Do not answer to what is not being asked of you.
2. There are certain topics on which the NREMT is most likely to put up questions during the exams. These topics include airways and respiration. Always read them thoroughly to enhance your chances of clearing up the test.
3. Practice a lot through online practice tests. This will help you to improve your weaknesses, and you will also learn how to attempt all the questions in the given time.
4. Do not take breaks too often as this time is going to be deducted from your official allotted time.
5. It’s very important to remain calm and composed to solve your exam with ease.