EMT, AEMT, & Paramedic Recertification Guide: What to Know for the 2026–2027 Season
If your National Registry EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic certification expires on March 31, 2027, recertification season is here. The National Registry began accepting continuing education recertification applications on October 1, 2026, with the standard application period running through March 31, 2027.
That may sound like plenty of time, but completing continuing education, documenting your courses, meeting any state or agency requirements, and submitting your application can take longer than expected. Starting early can make the process much easier.
Impact EMS Training offers convenient online continuing education for EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics, helping working EMS providers complete required education around shifts, calls, and life.
When is the 2026-2027 National Registry Recertification Period?
For EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics whose National Registry certification expires March 31, 2027, the recertification application window runs from October 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027. National Registry certification generally follows a two-year recertification cycle. After you successfully recertify, your National Registry certification continues into the next cycle.
Keep in mind that National Registry certification and state EMS licensure are separate credentials. Your state determines your legal authority to practice and may set renewal requirements or deadlines that differ from National Registry requirements. Before submitting your application, confirm both sets of requirements so you know what applies to your National Registry certification and what your state requires for continued practice.
How Do EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics Recertify?
The National Registry provides two methods for recertification:
- Continuing Education (CE): Complete the required education through the National Continued Competency Program (NCCP)
- Recertification by Examination (RBE): Demonstrate continued competency by successfully completing the applicable National Registry’s certification examination instead of completing the NCCP continuing education requirements.
For clinicians choosing CE, understanding the NCCP is one of the most important parts of preparing for recertification.
Understanding NCCP CE Requirements
The NCCP divides continuing education into three components: National, Local, and Individual.
The National Component represents 50% of the required education. The Local Component represents 25% and may address state, regional, or agency-specific needs. The Individual Component makes up the remaining 25% and provides greater flexibility in selecting EMS-related education.
Your total required hours depend on your certification level:
|
Certification
|
National
|
Local
|
Individual
|
Total
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
EMT
|
20 hours
|
10 hours
|
10 hours
|
40 hours
|
|
AEMT
|
25 hours
|
12.5 hours
|
12.5 hours
|
50 hours
|
|
Paramedic
|
30 hours
|
15 hours
|
15 hours
|
60 hours
|
What Happens if You Miss the March 31 Deadline?
If you don’t submit your recertification application by March 31, 2027, the National Registry provides a reinstatement period from April 1 through April 30 for EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics. Applications submitted during this period require an additional $50 reinstatement fee.
There is an important catch: all required continuing education must have been completed by March 31. You cannot use the April reinstatement period to finish your CE requirements.
National Registry Recertification Fees are Changing October 1, 2026
New National Registry recertification fees took effect on October 1, 2026. The fees for applications submitted on or after that date are:
- EMT: $29
- AEMT: $30
- Paramedic: $37
The National Registry also charges a $50 late/reinstatement fee as needed.
Check the National Registry website when you’re ready to apply for the latest fee and application information.
A Simple Recertification Checklist
Recertification doesn’t have to turn into a last-minute scramble. Use these steps to stay organized:
- Check your National Registry expiration date. Confirm that your certification expires March 31, 2027.
- Check your state requirements separately. Find out whether your state requires additional CE, specific topics, skills competencies, applications, or other renewal steps.
- Review your NCCP requirements. Determine how many National, Local, and Individual Component hours you still need.
- Start earning continuing education early. Completing CE throughout the recertification period is much easier than trying to finish dozens of hours in March.
- Keep your documentation. Maintain course completion records and certificates. National Registry recertification applications are randomly selected for audit, and individuals selected must provide documentation for courses listed on their recertification application.
- Review your application carefully. Make sure your education is entered and assigned correctly and that any required verification is complete.
- Submit before March 31. Don’t make the deadline your target date. Give yourself time to resolve questions or missing information.
Earn Your EMS Continuing Education Online with Impact EMS Training
Recertification requires continuing education, but how you use those hours is up to you. You may want a straightforward refresher course to complete your CE requirements, or you may choose to use recertification as an opportunity to deepen your knowledge with specialty and critical care courses.
Impact EMS Training offers flexible online continuing education built for working EMS professionals, so you can complete your required CE on your schedule while choosing training that fits your goals. For a limited time, get 15% off during the month of October.
Complete your recertification requirements on your terms with Impact EMS Training.
More from Impact EMS Training:
- In need of continuing education for recertification? Get 15% off select CE throughout the month of October.
- Subscribe to Impact in Action to complete your live CE requirements through monthly interactive, case-based learning led by experienced EMS professionals.
- Review the Impact EMS Training Weekly Pulse Blog.
- Stay up to date on upcoming webinars and in-person courses in your area using our Events Calendar.
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