North Carolina
Licensure & Recertification Requirements for EMRs, EMTs, AEMTs & Paramedics
Impact EMS Training offers CAPCE-accredited, 100% online continuing education designed to help North Carolina EMS professionals complete recertification requirements conveniently.
The North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services (NC OEMS) regulates EMS certification throughout the state. North Carolina allows providers to renew their state credential by maintaining an active National Registry (NREMT) certification. If your NREMT is current, it is typically accepted for North Carolina recertification.
Providers who do not maintain NREMT follow a competency-based renewal model determined at the agency level. Providers must hold an active North Carolina certification to practice; National Registry alone does not grant authorization to practice in the state.
North Carolina certifications are issued on a 4-year cycle with a fixed expiration date assigned by NC OEMS. The National Registry (NREMT) renews every 2 years, so providers using NREMT will typically complete two NREMT renewal cycles within one North Carolina certification period.
Always verify for your specific requirements with NC OEMS, your agency, and the national registry.
North Carolina EMR Recertification
Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) renewing through the National Registry must complete the National Continued Competency Program (NCCP). This model includes national, local, and individual education components.
North Carolina also maintains separate requirements for providers who do not renew with NREMT.
NREMT Requirements
Most providers renew using NREMT, which simplifies the process
- National Component: 8 hours
- Airway, Respiration, & Ventilation
- Cardiovascular
- Trauma
- Medical
- Operations
- Note: The National Registry does not assign specific hour minimums to each topic for EMR. Hours may be distributed across topics as needed to meet the total requirements.
- Local/State Component: 3 hours
- Individual Component: 3 hours
State Requirements
- Certification Cycle: 4 years
- North Carolina accepts a current NREMT certification for renewal
- If not renewing with NREMT, providers must complete education based on identified deficiencies
- Requirements are determined by:
- EMS System Evaluation
- Peer Review
- Self Tracking Assessment Tool
- Providers must follow agency-directed education plans to maintain competency
- Providers must complete required skills competencies in addition to continuing education hours
- Requirements are determined by:
Suggested Refresher Course
- 16-Hour EMR Refresher
- Meets National Registry NCCP requirements
- Designed to align with North Carolina competency-based renewal
- 100% online and self-paced
- Instant certificate upon completion
State of North Carolina & NREMT EMR Resources
North Carolina EMT Recertification
EMTs renewing with the National Registry must complete NCCP requirements, which include national, local, and individual components.
North Carolina accepts NREMT for renewal but also provides a state-directed pathway for non-NREMT providers.
NREMT Requirements
Renewing using NREMT is the simplest and most common process
- National Component: 20 hours
- Airway, Respiration, & Ventilation: 1.5 hours
- Cardiovascular: 2.5 hours
- Trauma: 3 hours
- Medical: 3.5 hours
- Operations: 2 hours
- EMS Systems: 1 hour
- Special Populations: 1 hour
- EMS Safety: 4.5 hours
- Flexible: 4.5 hours
- Local/State Component: 10 hours
- Individual Component: 10 hours
State Requirements
- Certification Cycle: 4 years
- A current NREMT certification satisfies North Carolina renewal requirements
- Providers not maintaining NREMT must complete education based on identified deficiences
- Requirements are determined by:
- EMS Systems
- Peer Review
- Self Tracking Assessment Tool
- Education must aligns with agency competency requirements
- Providers must complete required skills competencies in addition to continuing education hours
- Requirements are determined by:
Suggested Refresher Course
- 40-Hour EMT Refresher Course
- Meets National Registry NCCP requirements
- Designed to align with North Carolina renewal expectations
- 100% online and self-paced
- Instant certificate upon completion
State of North Carolina & NREMT EMT Resources
North Carolina AEMT Recertification
Advanced EMTs renewing through the National Registry must complete NCCP requirements. North Carolina recognizes NREMT for renewal, with a competency-based pathway for state-only providers.
NREMT Requirements
Completing renewal using NREMT is the most common and simple route for EMS providers
- National Component: 25 hours
- Airway, Respiration, & Ventilation: 2 hours
- Cardiovascular: 3 hours
- Trauma: 3 hours
- Medical: 4 hours
- Operations: 2 hours
- EMS Systems: 1.5 hours
- Special Populations: 1.5 hours
- EMS Safety: 1 hour
- Flexible: 7 hours
- Local/State Component: 12.5 hours
- Individual Component: 12.5 hours
State Requirements
- Certification cycle: 4 years
- North Carolina accepts NREMT certification for renewal
- Providers without NREMT must complete continuing education based on identified deficiencies
- Education needs are determined through:
- EMS System Review
- Peer Review
- Self Tracking Assessment Tool
- Providers must meet agency competency expectations
- Providers must complete required skills competencies in addition to continuing education hours
- Education needs are determined through:
Suggested Refresher Course
- 50-Hour AEMT Refresher
- Meets National Registry NCCP requirements
- Designed to align with North Carolina renewal expectations
- 100% online and self-paced
- Instant certificate upon completion
State of North Carolina & NREMT AEMT Resources
North Carolina Paramedic Recertification
Paramedics renewing through the National Registry must complete NCCP requirements, including national, local, and individual components.
North Carolina accepts NREMT for renewal while maintaining a competency-based pathway for non-NREMT providers.
NREMT Requirements
Renewing using NREMT is the most common and simple process for EMS providers
- National Component: 30 hours
- Airway, Respiration, & Ventilation: 2 hours
- Cardiovascular: 3 hours
- Trauma: 4 hours
- Medical: 5 hours
- Operations: 3 hours
- EMS Systems: 2 hours
- Special Populations: 2 hours
- EMS Safety: 1 hour
- Flexible: 8 hours
- Local/State Component: 15 hours
- Individual Component: 15 hours
State Requirements
- Certification cycle: 4 years
- A current NREMT certification is accepted for North Carolina renewal
- Providers not maintaining NREMT must complete education based on identified deficiencies
- Competency needs are identified through:
- EMS Systems
- Peer Review
- Self Tracking Assessment Tool
- Providers must complete agency-directed competency requirements
- Providers must complete required skills competencies in addition to continuing education hours
- Competency needs are identified through:
Suggested Refresher Course
- 60-Hour Paramedic Refresher
- Meets National Registry NCCP requirements
- Designed to aligns with North Carolina renewal expectations
- 100% online and self-paced
- Instant certificate upon completion
State of North Carolina & NREMT Paramedic Resources
*This page was updated on May 5, 2024*
Always verify current requirements with the North Carolina Office of EMS and the National Registry, as policies may change.
NREMT
The National Registry is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accreditation body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. The National Registry maintains NCCA accreditation for each of our four certification programs: (1) Emergency Medical Responder (2) Emergency Medical Technician (3) Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (4) Paramedic. The National Registry, established in 1970 as a non-profit organization, is the Nation’s Emergency Medical Services Certification organization. The mission of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians has always been centered on protecting the public and advancing the EMS profession.
