How to become an EMT in Oregon

Oregon licenses EMTs through the Oregon Health Authority's EMS and Trauma Systems program. Everything below comes from OHA's EMS provider licensing page and OAR 333-265-0030 (fees, effective November 2024), checked October 18, 2026. Confirm in eLicense 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

  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.

Oregon, step by step

Oregon Health Authority, EMS and Trauma Systems

  1. Education: proof of a high school diploma or equivalent.
  2. Exam: current National Registry EMT certification.
  3. CPR: a current card at the AHA BLS Provider level or equivalent, from a course with a skills check.
  4. Background check: an FBI fingerprint-based national check; Fieldprint takes the prints for its own fee, with instructions inside the application.
  5. Application: create an account in the Oregon eLicense Portal and apply; the EMT application fee is $110.
  6. Age: not on OHA's page; ask your program.
  7. Renewal: EMTs renew in odd-numbered years, April 1 to June 30, for $55 (plus $40 if you file on or after June 1), with a criminal history check and the continuing education in OHA's Appendix 1.
  8. From another state: licensed elsewhere with current Registry certification? You may qualify for reciprocity at your Registry level; the EMT reciprocity fee is $140 and you still show a diploma.

Sources: Oregon Health Authority, EMS provider licensing; OAR 333-265-0030 (fees, Cornell LII). 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