National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) is a credentialing body of first responders and emergency medical technicians in United States. It was established in 1970 on recommendations of President Lyndon Johnson’s Committee on Highway Traffic Safety. Its objective is to ensure competency of EMS personnel. It is responsible to maintain regulations and standards of practice for personnel engaged in emergency ambulance services. The credentialed individuals find employment in life support units after getting licensed and render emergency care services in out-of-hospital settings.
NREMT is accredited by National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). NCCA is an accreditation wing of National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). NREMT also participated in several national projects and has helped in improving standards of emergency medical services.
NREMT certification exams are used in 46 states of USA. Since NREMT has based its examinations on uniform, national level standards, credential gained in one state is valid in other states as well. Those states which do not recognize NREMT exams have to organize their own examinations. The credentials achieved in such states may not be recognized by other states.
NREMT is currently offering six certification exams-
First Responder/EMR: – This exam has been developed for certification of first responders. This is an entry level certification. First responders are authorized to provide first aid as part of out-of-hospital emergency care.
Emergency Medical Technician- Basic: – This is an initial certification for emergency medical technician position. EMT-B has been developed in compliance with United States Department of Transportation EMT-Basic National Standard curriculum.
Emergency Medical Technician- Intermediate 85: – This is an intermediate level certification for emergency medical technicians. EMT-I85 has been developed in compliance with the United States Department of Transportation EMT-Intermediate/85 National standard curriculum.
Emergency Medical Technician- Intermediate 99: – This is an intermediate level certification for emergency medical technicians. EMT-I99 has been developed in compliance with United States Department of Transportation EMT-Intermediate/99 national standard curriculum.
Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedic: – This is a certification for emergency medical technicians for credentialing as paramedic professional. The credentialed individuals are allowed to perform all kind of life saving techniques except use of certain drug procedures.
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician: – This is a higher level of certification after EMT-Basic. It has been developed in compliance with United States Department of Transportation National EMS education standard.
The credentialed individuals may have to fulfill additional requirements depending upon their state before they are employed in a life support unit or emergency ambulance care team.