Arizona calls its EMTs EMCTs (emergency medical care technicians) and certifies them through the Department of Health Services' Bureau of EMS and Trauma System. Everything below comes from the Bureau's December 2024 requirements sheet and the Arizona Administrative Code, checked October 18, 2026. Confirm with your program before you pay.
Study aid, not a protocol. Nothing on this site replaces your course, your medical director or your agency's protocols. Built by an RN and former EMT. Headed In LLC is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) or any state EMS office; their names appear here only to point you to the real thing.
The national steps, briefly
A state-approved EMT course
Every state approves its own programs, all taught to the National EMS Education Standards. Most run 150 to 300 hours over three to six months.
A healthcare-provider CPR card
AHA BLS or an equivalent your state accepts, usually before clinicals.
The cognitive exam
The National Registry (NREMT) EMT exam: 70 to 120 adaptive questions in 2 hours, $104 per attempt, six attempts within two years of your course.
Your state's license or certification
The card comes from the state, not the Registry. The state's own steps are below.
Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of EMS and Trauma System
Who can apply:18 or older, with proof of legal presence in the United States (a passport, birth certificate, naturalization papers or proof of legal resident status).
Course:130 hours: 120 of classroom and skills training plus 10 clinical or field hours with 10 real or simulated patients (rules effective December 31, 2024). The training must fall within two years before you apply.
Exam: the National Registry exam; Arizona accepts current Registry registration at the EMT level or higher.
Application: create an account at ems.azdhs.gov and file the online EMCT application with your Registry number. It asks criminal history questions; every "yes" needs a detailed explanation and documents. No initial certification fee appears in the rules we checked; ask your program or the Bureau (602-364-3150).
Background: the state rules use the application's criminal history questions; many Arizona programs separately require a DPS fingerprint clearance card to enroll, so ask yours.
Recertification: apply within 90 days before your certificate expires (or up to 30 days after, with a $150 extension fee). Show a refresher course or refresher challenge exam from the last two years, or current Registry registration, or attest to current adult, child and infant CPR, 24 hours of continuing education in two years with at least 5 in pediatric emergency care, and at least 240 hours working as an EMT in those two years. Under 240 hours worked, the refresher course is required.
From another state: current National Registry registration at the EMT level or higher is the way in; ask the Bureau about anything else your situation needs.