The National Registry Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Certification Examination measures whether you have the knowledge, skills, and clinical judgment needed for entry-level AEMT practice. The current exam contains 135 questions and gives you three hours to complete the test.
QUESTIONS
135
UNSCORED
35
TIME LIMIT
3 Hours
EXAM FEE
$159
Important: The AEMT certification process changed on July 1, 2024. The former separate cognitive and National Registry psychomotor exams were replaced by a single certification examination. Older study materials describing a separate psychomotor exam are outdated.
What Is the AEMT Exam?
The Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Certification Examination is administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. It is designed to determine whether a candidate has reached the level of competency expected of an entry-level AEMT.
The current exam is a fixed-length, computer-based linear examination. Unlike a computer-adaptive test, every AEMT candidate receives 135 questions.
The test is administered at authorized Pearson Professional Assessments testing centers.
Who Is Eligible for AEMT Certification?
For candidates completing a full AEMT education program, the National Registry currently requires:
- Current National Registry certification or a state license at the EMT level or higher
- Successful completion of a state-approved AEMT course that meets the applicable National EMS Education Standards and competency requirements
- Completion of the qualifying course within the previous two years
- Verification of successful course completion by the program director
- Successful completion of the National Registry AEMT Certification Examination
The National Registry also provides pathways for some state-licensed AEMTs and clinicians seeking to regain certification. Follow the pathway that matches your current education and licensure status.
National Registry certification and state EMS licensure are related but separate. Your state may have additional licensing, skills, education, or scope-of-practice requirements.
What’s on the AEMT Exam?
The current examination covers six domains. Pediatric patient-care content is integrated throughout the applicable clinical domains rather than appearing as a separate pediatric section.
Clinical Judgment — 31%–35%
Clinical Judgment is the largest domain. It measures your ability to recognize and analyze patient information, make appropriate decisions, communicate effectively, and demonstrate leadership throughout an EMS call.
Medical/Obstetrics/Gynecology — 25%–29%
This domain covers the assessment, pathophysiology, and management of medical, obstetric, and gynecologic emergencies across the lifespan.
Cardiology and Resuscitation — 11%–15%
Questions address the assessment and management of cardiovascular emergencies and resuscitation situations encountered at the AEMT level.
Airway, Respiration and Ventilation — 9%–13%
This section focuses on assessing and managing airway and respiratory problems, including ventilation and oxygenation concepts within the AEMT scope.
Trauma — 7%–11%
Trauma questions evaluate assessment, clinical decision-making, and management of patients with traumatic injuries.
EMS Operations — 6%–10%
This domain includes communication, documentation, professional responsibilities, medical and legal considerations, emergency vehicles and equipment, and the EMS environment of care.
Clinical Judgment Questions
Clinical judgment is one of the most important changes to the current AEMT exam. Some questions are linked together within a patient-care scenario that develops through different phases of an EMS response.
The National Registry describes scenario phases such as:
- En Route
- Scene
- Post Scene
You may need to interpret new information as the scenario develops and decide how that information affects assessment, treatment, transport, communication, or other aspects of patient care.
Because Clinical Judgment represents 31%–35% of the exam, preparing only by memorizing isolated facts is not enough. Practice interpreting patient information and deciding what action is appropriate as a scenario changes.
What Types of Questions Are on the AEMT Exam?
The examination consists primarily of multiple-choice questions, but the current exam also includes other item formats.
You may encounter:
- Single-answer multiple-choice questions
- Multiple-response questions
- Technology-enhanced questions
- Questions linked to clinical scenarios
Technology-enhanced items may require you to interact with information differently from a traditional multiple-choice question. The National Registry provides official sample items so candidates can become familiar with these formats before test day.
How Many Questions Count Toward Your Score?
The exam contains 135 total questions, but 35 are unscored pilot questions. That leaves 100 questions that contribute to your examination score.
Pilot questions are used to evaluate possible questions for future examinations.
You cannot identify which questions are scored and which are pilot questions, so answer every question as though it counts.
How Is the AEMT Exam Scored?
The National Registry scores the examination as a whole and reports your result on a scale from 100 to 1,500.
The passing point is 950.
A score of 950 is a scaled passing score. It should not be interpreted as a percentage of questions answered correctly.
If you do not pass, the National Registry provides performance feedback comparing your examination performance with the passing standard. Use that information to determine where additional preparation is needed.
When Will You Receive Your Results?
Exam results are not provided at the testing center or by telephone.
The National Registry states that results are generally posted to your online account within three business days when all registration requirements have been completed.
How Do You Register for the AEMT Exam?
The examination fee is currently $159 for each attempt.
For candidates following the full-education pathway, the basic process is:
- Complete an eligible AEMT education program.
- Create or access your National Registry account and submit your application.
- Pay the examination fee.
- Have your program verify your education.
- Receive your Authorization to Test (ATT).
- Schedule your examination at an authorized Pearson testing center.
Your ATT is generally valid for 90 days. However, it may expire sooner if your qualifying AEMT course reaches the end of its two-year validity period first.
What Happened to the AEMT Psychomotor Exam?
The separate National Registry AEMT psychomotor examination is no longer part of the current initial certification process.
The previous system required candidates to complete separate cognitive and psychomotor examinations. That process continued through June 30, 2024.
Beginning July 1, 2024, the National Registry introduced a new AEMT Certification Examination designed to measure entry-level competency in a single examination.
If a study guide still tells you to prepare for National Registry AEMT skill stations such as Trauma Assessment, IV and Medication Skills, Pediatric Intraosseous Infusion, or Spinal Immobilization as a separate psychomotor certification exam, that material describes the discontinued testing process.
Can You Retake the AEMT Exam?
Yes. If you do not pass, you may begin a new application and pay the examination fee after your results are posted.
You must wait at least 15 days from your previous examination date before testing again.
You have up to six attempts to pass the examination.
After three unsuccessful attempts, you must complete approved remedial education before taking a fourth attempt. The National Registry currently allows the remedial requirement to be satisfied through qualifying AEMT continuing education or refresher education.
How to Prepare for the AEMT Exam
Preparation should reflect the current exam rather than the pre-2024 cognitive and psychomotor format.
AEMT Study Checklist
- Use the current National Registry AEMT test plan.
- Spend substantial study time on Clinical Judgment because it is the largest domain.
- Review medical, obstetric, and gynecologic emergencies across the lifespan.
- Review airway, respiratory, cardiovascular, resuscitation, and trauma concepts.
- Study EMS operations, communication, documentation, and professional responsibilities.
- Practice interpreting patient information as a scenario changes.
- Become familiar with multiple-response and technology-enhanced questions.
- Review pediatric considerations throughout all applicable clinical domains.
- Study explanations for questions you miss instead of memorizing the correct choice.
- Practice completing 135 questions within the three-hour time limit.
Advanced EMT Practice Questions
AEMT practice questions can help you determine whether you are able to apply your knowledge rather than simply recognize terminology.
For the current exam, your practice should include traditional questions as well as scenarios that require you to interpret changing patient information and make clinical decisions.
AEMT Exam Resources
National Registry AEMT Candidate Handbook — Review current eligibility, application, examination, scoring, and retesting policies.
AEMT Certification Examination Information — Review the current six-domain blueprint, technology-enhanced items, and Clinical Judgment materials.
AEMT Full Education Program Pathway — Check current certification requirements, exam format, and fees.
Clinical Judgment Domain Sample Packet — See examples of how clinical scenarios and Clinical Judgment questions are presented.
Free Advanced EMT Practice Test — Practice current AEMT material and review detailed answer explanations.
Advanced EMT Study Guide — Find additional AEMT review and practice materials.
