EMT Refresher Course/ EMT-B Refresher Course

An EMT refresher course or an EMT-B refresher course is one of those EMS courses which are available for the practicing emergency medical technician professionals. Almost all practicing EMTs must go through this course once in two years so as to renew their certification. This course is conducted by most of the states’ authorized EMS program schools adhering to the National EMS Education Standards. Those, who have failed in the available three attempts of NREMT exam, can also take up this course as a remedial program to get their EMT-B certification from the state authority.

EMT Refresher Course – A Quick Glance


The EMT refresher course meets the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians’ much needed transition obligations for NREMT-B to NREMT. This course is conducted for 24 hours by the EMS program schools. Within the given 24 hours, attending 14 hours of instructions is compulsory for the candidates. This course can be accomplished in the traditional classrooms or in the virtual classrooms.

The remaining 10 hours of the course is dedicated to self-paced Distributive Learning. This Distributive Learning is comprised of lectures that are also available in the form of e-files online and also in the form of a DVD in the EMS learning institutes. A few EMS program schools also offer this course online to help the busy EMTs get their certification renewal done from the comfort of their home.

Out of these 24 hours, 1 hour is scheduled for preparatory lectures, 3 hours for airway lectures, 3 hours for patient assessment, 6 hours for behavioral and obstetrics or gynecology, 4 hours for trauma care, and 3 hours for infants and children care.

Passing the Course

You must score at least 75% to qualify the EMT refresher course and get your certification. Failing to get 75% score may compel you to repeat the test again, in order to pass.

Why is EMT refresher course mandatory?

If you are an emergency medical technician then you must take the EMT refresher course once in two years. You will not be able to renew your license and carry your practice if you don’t take up this course. The following are three notable advantages of taking up this test:

  • You can get your NREMT certification renewal done instantly and continue to practice.
  • With this course, you become eligible to take up the NREMT examination 3 more times.

For Expired Certification


If an EMT’s certification is expired and it has been more than 6 months and less than 2 years, then they can get their certification renewal done by taking up EMT refresher course. However, those whose certification has expired for more than 6 months will have to take additional CEUs (Continuing Education Units) and testing for renewal of their certificate.

Receiving EMT Refresher Course Certificate

If you are attending the EMT refresher course from a state-approved EMS school, then you will immediately receive the certificate after the course completion. Once you pass the final examination, the course validation certificate will be provided to you by the program school. The certificate you receive will have your name, program school’s name and registration details, state authorization number, the program director’s signature and the number of hours dedicated to each type of program.

Coursework of the EMT Refresher Program

As per National Standard Curricula, the coursework of EMT refresher program is divided into 6 modules:

  • Obstetrics, Infants, and Children
  • Trauma
  • Medical/ Behavioral
  • Patient Assessment
  • Airway
  • Preparatory

Registration and Course Fee

To register for an EMT refresher course, you must first contact a state-approved EMS program school offering this course. To register for an online EMT refresher course, you can visit the authorized EMS program school’s website. With the online education management system, you can attend the lectures via virtual classrooms and finish the course by getting DVDs or e-books available at the program school’s website. The fee for this course ranges from $200 to $250 based on the EMS program school you prefer.

Do You Know

X