North Dakota licenses EMTs through the Department of Health and Human Services' Emergency Medical Services unit, and it licenses EMTs at 16. Everything below comes from the state rule, N.D.A.C. chapter 33-36-01 (amended April 2024), and the Department's renewal page, checked October 18, 2026.
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.
North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, EMS
Course: a course on the National EMS Education Standards; before you can sit for the Registry, a North Dakota EMS instructor or licensed training institute verifies your knowledge and skills.
Exam:National Registry EMT certification.
Age:16 or older.
Affiliation: be affiliated with a licensed North Dakota EMS operation, or get medical direction from a North Dakota-licensed physician.
Background check: the Department may run a criminal history check on any applicant.
License: expires 90 days after your National Registry expiration date. Relicense by keeping your Registry certification, with the same affiliation rule. Fees are not in the rule; ask your program.