EMT Exams in Washington

In order to get certified to practice the profession of an Emergency Medical Technician, the aspirant must qualify the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) examination. NREMT is a non-profit body, which aims to give certification to all the eligible students. You need to finish the requisite coursework from a state-approved program institute. EMT exams in Washington are divided into 2 sections- Cognitive (written) and Psychomotor (skill test).

Components of EMT Exams

Cognitive Exams

It tests the aspirant’s knowledge about various topics through a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT), which must be completed in 2 hours of duration. It includes 70-120 questions, which are in a multiple-choice format. The subject areas involved in the exam are Trauma, Pediatrics & Obstetrics, Medical Operations, Cardiology, EMS Operations, Ventilation and Air Management.

Psychomotor Exams

Psychomotor exam tests the practical skills and alertness of the student at a medical emergency site. It generally asks questions on the following topics:

Bleeding Control & Shock Management
Cardiac Arrest Management
Mouth-to-Mask with Supplemental Oxygen
Patient Assessment/Management
Long Bone Fracture Immobilization
Traction Splinting
Bag-Valve-Mask Apneic Patient with a Pulse
Supplemental Oxygen Administration
Spinal Immobilization
Joint Dislocation Immobilization
Upper Airway Adjuncts and Suction

Exam Registration and Scheduling Process

Once the applicant’s eligibility to appear for the examination gets approved, the PSI sends him/her an eligibility postcard through mail. The instructions for doing the registration, scheduling and fee payment for the test will be described in the eligibility postcard.

It is obligatory for the candidate to crack the examination within 6 months of the authorization period.
You will be endowed with 2 more opportunities to clear the exam within the authorization period of six months, in case; you fail to clear it in one attempt.

The payment of the fee must be done by the aspirant while doing registration. He/she must make sure that the details provided in the form are correct, as well as it is duly signed and attached with the appropriate amount of fee.

Internet Registration and Scheduling

The easiest and fastest way to register and schedule for the test is through the internet. The internet registration facility can be availed 24 hours a day. The candidate is required to possess a valid VISA or MasterCard in order to do the online registration through PSI’s website – www.psiexams.com. Follow the steps given below in order to do registration via the internet:

Begin by signing into the PSI website, and then filling the online registration form. You need to select the link related to Washington’s examination.
After completing the online registration form, the available dates and examination sites will be displayed in front of the applicant from which, he/she is required to choose one date and location as per choice.

Telephone Registration and Scheduling

This is also one of the best methods to do registration and scheduling of Emergency Medical Technician exams. The candidate must possess a valid MasterCard or VISA.

Telephone registration is accomplished via live registrars during the business hours and through the PSI’s IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system during the non-business hours. Fill your registration form with information, like credit card number and expiry date, and keep it ready with all the details for doing registration on the phone.

Fax Registration and Scheduling

You must have a legitimate VISA or MasterCard for doing the fax registration.

Complete your registration form by filling details about credit card number and its expiry date.
Fax the completed form to the PSI.
You will get back the form for rectification, if the information given by you is wrong or incomplete.

Registration and Scheduling through Standard Mail

Standard mail registration will benefit those candidates, who do not want to share their credit card details over the internet or phone. It allows the candidate to make the payment of examination fee via cashier’s check or money order. In order to do the standard mail registration, follow below given process:

Fill your registration form with all the details and submit it to the PSI.
You must make the payment of the fee through a cashier’s check or money order, drawn on the name of the PSI. But, make sure that your name is printed on the check or money order for the sake of proper assignment of the fee.

Important Note: The aspirants cannot pay the examination fee through company checks, personal checks or cash.

Cancelling and Rescheduling the Examination

If a candidate wants to cancel the test appointment, as well as desires to save the fee from being forfeited, he/she needs to give cancellation notice 2 days prior to the scheduled date of examination.

The candidate cannot apply for re-appointment on the very same day of the last exam due to several reasons, such as processing, scoring, etc. A student can apply for a re-test only after at least one day’s gap when he/she appeared for the last date. The re-scheduling can be done through the internet, phone or mail. If the applicant wants to re-register, he/she should follow the same steps of registration and scheduling as provided earlier.

Late Cancellation or Missed Appointment

In the following cases, the candidate will lose the examination fee while not being allowed to appear for the exam on the scheduled date and the registration will be termed as invalid.

If the candidate does not cancel his/her test appointment two days before the scheduled date.
If the student does not show valid identification proof at the test center.
If the applicant reaches late after the exam has already started.
If the aspirant does not show up for the examination appointment.

Reporting to the Examination Site

You must reach the center/site 30 minutes before the scheduled examination time in order to sign-in and complete the identification verification formalities properly. This will also give you time to get familiar with the entire procedure of the exam.

Important Note: If, by chance, the candidate reaches late at the test center, he/she won’t be allowed to give the examination, and the fee will also not be paid back.

The below given ID proofs must be provided by the examinee:

Any of the valid government-issued ID proofs – a passport, military ID, driving license or a sate ID, having the applicant’s photograph and signature.
Another ID proof, which must bear the student’s signature and a pre-printed legal name.
Intermediate and Paramedic candidates are expected to provide their current certification cards. If they don’t possess their certification cards, they can also present a reinstatement letter issued by the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS).

Important Note: You must make sure that the names on all the identification proofs match the one on your registration form.

The following security rules should be kept in mind by the examinee:

You can’t bring children along with you at the examination center.
Electronic devices, such as calculators, mobile phones, pagers, etc., are strictly prohibited.
Large bags, backpacks, textbooks, notes, etc., cannot be taken at the test center. (Small purses are allowed)
Smoking, eating or drinking are not at all permitted.
Once the examination has begun, you will not be allowed to leave the exam site without the permission of the proctor. However, you will only be allowed to go to the restroom. Also, no extra time will be given to you to finish the test.
If you’re caught cheating during the test, or with any kind of unauthorized materials, you will be immediately asked to submit all the test related materials and leave the exam hall.
If the examiner finds you copying during the examination, strict and legal action will be taken against you or your exam results will be cancelled.

Exam Results

If the candidate fails in the test, he/she will receive a performance feedback displaying the results, from the NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians). A student can apply for re-examination 15 days after his/her last exam.

Each applicant is provided a total of 6 attempts to clear the test provided he/she has duly filled all the pre-requisites of the National EMS Certification. After finishing 3 attempts, the candidate must provide official papers that verify that 24 hours of remedial program has been completed. After this, the aspirant gets 3 more opportunities to pass the exam. If the candidate remains unsuccessful in all the six attempts, he/she must take the entire EMT program again.

Tips for Preparing for the EMT Exams

Write notes. It will assist you in memorizing the important points.
Take references from the EMT study manuals and prepare from a good study guide.
Practice as much as possible. There are a number of mock tests available online through which, you can know your weaknesses.
Be attentive while you are being taught during the program.
Instead of last minute study, do regular studies.
Relax a lot the day before the exam, and don’t take the stress.