In Virginia, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) students/providers are required to take their certification examinations through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). This requirement applies to all personnel seeking Virginia certification whether this be at a BLS or ALS level. Certification from the National Registry is required as an entry point into the state's EMS system and as personnel transition from one level to another.
This national certification process ensures that EMS professionals meet standardized competency levels before entering Virginia's healthcare workforce. The Virginia Department of Health's Office of Emergency Medical Services manages this administers this process and any state-specific requirements for ongoing recertification. To learn more about the specific requirements and testing procedures for BLS and ALS certification in Virginia, including the NREMT process, please click on one of the panels below to view the detailed content.
BLS Certification Testing
The National Registry requires that certification exams be taken at a PearsonVUE Test Center. National Registry also offers the ability to take the certification exam remotely using Pearson OnVUE remotely proctored cognitive exams the BLS candidates. For candidates who are unable to access testing at a Pearson Test Center due to lack of available seats, they can use Pearson OnVUE. Please direct your candidates to learn more about Pearson OnVUE Remote Proctored Exams by visiting: https://home.pearsonvue.com/nremt/onvue
- Once a candidate sits for and passes the National Registry Cognitive Exam, they will be issued a full National Registry and Virginia certification.
Verification of psychomotor competency is built into BLS training programs, therefore a separate, external verification through testing is not necessary. This testing is conducted under the guidance for Terminal Psychomotor Competency Exams. A basic understanding of the exam can be found here: Terminal Competency Psychomotor Exam
If you have more questions, please direct them to your educator or Program Director.
ALS Certification Testing
All Advanced Life Support (ALS) cognitive examinations are only permitted to be administered at Pearson VUE Test Centers—remote proctoring via Pearson OnVUE is not permitted for ALS candidates.
On July 1, 2024, the National Registry discontinued all ALS Psychomotor Examinations. For more on this, please click here.
- ALS Certification Examination FAQ - click here
- ALS Key Initiative Information - click here
- Watch the webinar- Understanding Innovation and Developments for National Registry Certification Examinations
Examination Content
Certification examinations are updated periodically to ensure alignment as professional roles evolve. These changes allow the certification examination to incorporate new advances in clinical practice, research, science, and available new technology.
The test plans for the new AEMT Certification Examination and the new Paramedic Certification Examination, as determined through the 2019 National EMS Practice Analysis and the 2021 National EMS Practice Analysis Addendum, are found here:
*Content courtesy of the National Registry of EMT's.