How to become an EMT in Minnesota

Minnesota certifies EMTs through its Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS), which took over from the EMS Regulatory Board. Its website sits behind a bot check we could not get past, so everything below comes from the state statute, Minn. Stat. 144E.28, checked October 18, 2026. Where the statute is silent, ask your program.

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

  1. 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.

  2. A healthcare-provider CPR card

    AHA BLS or an equivalent your state accepts, usually before clinicals.

  3. 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.

  4. Your state's license or certification

    The card comes from the state, not the Registry. The state's own steps are below.

The full national walk-through: How to become an EMT.

Minnesota, step by step

Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS)

  1. Course: the U.S. DOT EMT course or an equivalent the director approves, taught by an OEMS-approved education program.
  2. Exams: the written and practical exams the director approves. OEMS publishes a psychomotor exam process for programs; ask yours whether the written exam is the National Registry's and how you register.
  3. Application: the director's application form, through the OEMS eLicense portal.
  4. Age, background check and fees: not in the statute; ask your program or OEMS.
  5. Certificate: expires March 31 of a set year depending on when it was granted.
  6. Renewal: every two years, with a CPR course and either the DOT EMT refresher with a practical skills test or 48 hours of continuing education with a practical skills test (the CPR course and skills test can count toward the hours).
  7. From another state: the director may certify you on a current National Registry EMT certification; that certificate runs as long as your other jurisdiction's, up to two years.

Sources: Minn. Stat. 144E.28 (certification, renewal, reciprocity) and 144E.285 (approved education programs). Checked October 18, 2026.

Practice for the exam, freeOur own questions, written to the national standards and tagged to the exam's 28 job tasks, with a Pass Meter.

Official pages