EMT Certification in South Dakota

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) is responsible for providing EMT certification and license in South Dakota. If a candidate wants to offer emergency medical services in this state, he/she is obligated to undergo a certified program coursework from a recognized program school. After undergoing program coursework, the applicant becomes eligible to appear for the cognitive, as well as practical examinations. After passing the exams, the candidates become qualified to obtain the EMT certification in South Dakota.

EMT Certification Requirements


The applicants aspiring to get an EMT certificate have to accomplish the below mentioned requirements:

  • The minimum age for EMT certification is eighteen years.
  • The state has set a GED or high school diploma as the minimum required educational qualification.
  • It is binding for all the applicants to complete a program curriculum accredited by the state.
  • The candidates need to have the capability to lift up to 120 pounds of weight.
  • The applicants are ought to have good verbal and written communication in the English language.
  •  At the time of applying for certification, the candidates need to own a legal driving license.
  • It is essential for the candidates to clear the background screening test.
  • All the EMT aspirants have to submit their fingerprints and qualify a drug test.
  • An applicant is also mandated to possess an affiliation from a recognized EMS agency.
  • Lastly, the applicants are required to show the proof of various immunizations.


Specific Requirements

  • The applicant must be affiliated from a licensed EMS agency.
  • EMT aspirants need to submit the application fees along with the application form to the state.
  • Qualify the practical examinations, approved by the state.

Process of Getting an EMT Certification

By going through the below mentioned steps, the prospective Emergency Medical Technicians in the state of South Dakota can obtain the EMT certificate:

1. Certified Program

It is obligatory for the applicants to complete program from a state-recognized EMT school. Program makes it easy to clear the NREMT exams in one shot.


2. Application for the National Certification

After finishing the program program, an applicant is required to appear for the examinations. Here is the process involved in taking exams:

  • Initially, the candidates are required to make an account by accessing http://www.nremt.org/ website and clicking on the “Create New Account”.
  • For taking up the test, click on the “Create Initial Entry Application”.
  • The fees can be paid either after completion of the procedure of the online application or later on.
  • If the candidates want to check the application status, they can visit the NREMT’s website homepage and click on the “Initial Entry Application Status”.
  • Your information has been sent to the program, and its authorization is still under process, if the option of “Submitted” is visible next to the option of “Course Completion Verification”.
  • You need to shell out the fees for obtaining the ATT letter, if you see “Not Submitted” option next to the “Application Payment”.
  • If your application is verified by the program education director and payment of fees has been made, the link of “Print ATT Letter” will be seen.
  • Print out the ATT letter and schedule your examinations.

3. Background Check

After taking examinations, the students have to qualify a background screening test.

EMT Recertification Process

In the state of South Dakota, the candidates can renew their license at any level, namely EMT, EMT-I, AEMT, and EMT-P. It is to be kept in mind that the candidates have to fulfil certain essential requirements before recertifying their certificate or license. These requirements are:

  • The applicants must be associated with any rescue center, fire-fighting center, or patient health care facility, etc.
  • The recertification form must be filled completely and should be submitted before 15th July of that year, when your certificate is due to expire.
  • The applicants have to exhibit cognitive competency by undergoing continuing education.

The continuing education hours at each stage are mentioned below:

  • Emergency Medical Technician: The applicants at this phase needs to complete 48 hours of additional continuing EMS education hours along with 24 hours of a refresher course. The non-refundable processing charges at this stage are fifteen dollars.
  • Emergency Medical Technician- Intermediate/85: Recertification at this stage requires a candidate to undergo 36 hours each of continuing education hours and refresher coursework. The processing fee is $15 only. 
  • Advanced Emergency Medical Technician: A candidate has to finish a total of 72 education hours, including 36 hours of AEMT refresher curriculum and 36 hours of continuing education hours. Recertification fee is $15.00 only.
  • Emergency Medical Technician- Intermediate/99: When a candidate wants to recertify his/her license at EMT-I/99 level, then he/she needs to complete 36 hours each of a refresher course and continuing education hours. A payment of $15 is mandatory. 
  • Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedic: The recertification at the last level requires an applicant to complete 72 hours of learning, which includes 48 hours of EMT-P refresher coursework and 24 hours of continuing education hours. The processing fee at this phase is $20.

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