EMT Exams in North Carolina

EMT exams in North Carolina focus towards the candidate’s skills. This test measures the level of competency of the aspirant and makes them eligible to apply for the Emergency Medical Technician certification.

EMT examinations are conducted by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT), which is a non-governmental and not-for-profit agency. The exams are based on the syllabus designed by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

Components of the Exam

Cognitive Exam

The computer adaptive cognitive examination checks the knowledge of the candidate in the field of the emergency medical services. To clear this exam, the student needs to cover the entire syllabus, including:

Trauma
EMS Operations
Respiration and Ventilation
Medical & Obstetrics/Gynecology
Airway
Cardiology & Resuscitation

The candidate needs to answer 70-120 questions in the given time of 2 hours. Once the answer is marked, the candidate cannot go back and change the answer. The applicant has to meet the criteria by demonstrating his/her dexterity in providing the emergency care skills at the entry level.

Psychomotor Exam

Throughout the EMT educational program, you are expected to deliver the safe and effective medical care skills in the following areas:

Bleeding Control
Joint Immobilization
Traction Splinting
BVM Ventilation
Cardiac Arrest AED
Long Bone Immobilization
Upper Airway Adjuncts and Suction
Oxygen Administration
Bag-valve-mask ventilation of an apneic patient
Shock Management
Patient assessment/management of a medical patient
Spinal Immobilization Supine
Patient assessment/management of a trauma patient
Medical Assessment
Oxygen Administration
Patient Assessment and Management
Spinal Immobilization Seated
Trauma Assessment

Each state conducts its own psychomotor test. It’s compulsory to pass this exam in order to receive the EMT certification.

Examination Registration and Scheduling Procedure

There are four ways, by which, the candidate can register for the exam.

Registration and Scheduling via Internet

MasterCard or VISA is a mandatory requirement for getting registered through the internet.

An applicant has to form an account on the PSI’s website, i.e. www.psiexams.com.
In the registration form, it’s obligatory to fill the accurate information.
The candidate can choose his/her current EMT program institution from the drop down box.
After providing the expiry date and number of VISA or MasterCard, you can submit the registration form online.
Once registered, the candidate will be provided with the next available examination locations and dates to choose from, in order to schedule the test.

Registration and Scheduling via Telephone

Telephone registration is very user-friendly way to register. Telephone registration is accessible 24 hours a day.

If a candidate wishes to register during business hours, he/she can register through live registrars.
An applicant can also register after business hours by using PSI’s Interactive Voice Response System (IVR).
The candidate will be asked for providing his/her valid VISA or MasterCard number in order to pay the test fee.
After completing the telephonic registration, the candidate can make a choice from the next available test dates and locations.

Registration and Scheduling via Fax

Fax registrations are also accepted 24 hours a day.

To register through fax, the candidate will need to have a legitimate MasterCard or VISA.
The aspirant will have to fill up the registration form correctly.
After providing the VISA or MasterCard’s number and expiry date, and all other necessary information, the candidate will have to fax his/her registration form to the PSI.
If you provide erroneous information, the form will be returned to you for the requisite amendments.
The candidate can schedule the exam by choosing from the available dates, after registering successfully.

Note: Fax registration procedure takes 4 business days to process.

Registration and Scheduling via Standard Mail

If the applicant doesn’t wish to share VISA or MasterCard’s number, he/she can do registration and scheduling through the standard mail.

Remember, for a valid registration, you need to fill the registration form properly and provide all the required information.

In order to pay the fees, the candidate can make the use of the money order or cashier’s check, which must be payable to the PSI. The money order or cashier’s check should be submitted along with the form.

Note: Fees paid through personal/company checks or cash are not acceptable. Standard mail registration procedure takes 2 weeks to process.

Cancellation and Rescheduling an Examination Appointment

If the candidate wishes his/her examination fee to be refunded, and cancel the scheduled exam, he/she can do that. For this, the aspirant will have to notify the PSI, 2 days before the appointed exam. The applicant can also cancel the exam through an automated system. This service is available 24 hours a day.

Late Cancellation or Missed Appointment

The applicant’s registration will be considered as invalid, he/she will not be permitted to sit in the exam, and his/her fee will not be refunded, if:

He/she remains absent in the exam, or
The applicant fails to furnish the proper identification documents, or
The student reaches the center after the test has already started, or
The candidate doesn’t notify the cancellation 2 days before the appointed exam.

Reporting to the Examination Site

In order to report to the examination site, the candidate must come 30 minutes before the time of the appointed exam. During this time, the student has to provide the identification documents and complete the other sign-in procedures.

You are ought to bring 2 identification forms to the exam site. The first ID form must have the candidate’s signature, full name and photograph, which includes passport, state ID, driver’s license or military ID. This identification must be valid and issued by the government. The second identification form must have the applicant’s signature and valid pre-printed name.

The current EMT certification card is necessary for the EMT Paramedic and Intermediate students. If any student is not having his/her current Emergency Medical Technician certification card, he/she can bring a reinstatement letter, issued by the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS).

Exam Results and Retest Information

The exam results can be seen after 24 hours of the exam. The student has to log-in to the NREMT’s password-secured website to see the available results. Those candidates, who meet the criteria, qualify the exam. The NREMT sends the National Certification credentials to the qualified students, while the unsuccessful candidates receive a performance sheet. In this performance sheet, the aspirant’s performance will be described as “average”, “below”, or “near”. The student can evaluate his/her performance on the basis of this information sheet.

After 15 days of the last exam, you can apply for a retest. In this retest, you will be given 6 chances to clear the exam. After the first three chances, you will have to submit your legally verified documents, as well as the proof of completion of twenty-four hours of remedial program. In additional 3 chances, you are ought to provide the required documents for the national certification.

If an applicant remains unsuccessful in all the six attempts, he/she will have to go through the entire EMT curriculum.

Tips for Preparing for the Exams

Thoroughly read your study materials and textbooks.
Take a good night sleep.
Read highlighted key notes.
Spend extra minutes on topics, like respiration and airway.
Work on your weak areas.