How to become an EMT in Rhode Island

Rhode Island licenses EMTs through the Department of Health's Center for Emergency Medical Services, under rules 216-RICR-20-10.2. Everything below comes from the Department's EMS practitioner license application (revised October 2024), checked October 18, 2026. RIDOH amended its general fee rules effective March 2026, so confirm the fee 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.

Rhode Island, step by step

Rhode Island Department of Health, Center for Emergency Medical Services

  1. Course: a licensed EMS training program; send a copy of the diploma or certificate.
  2. Exam: current National Registry registration; send a copy.
  3. Background check: an original Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) report from the Rhode Island Attorney General's office (out-of-state applicants: check with your own state's attorney general).
  4. CPR: a signed healthcare-provider-level card (AHA Healthcare Provider, Red Cross Professional Rescuer or an equivalent the form lists), front and back.
  5. Diploma: first-time applicants send a copy of their high school diploma or GED.
  6. Application and fee: type the fillable form, print it and mail it (no hand delivery, no fax) with the $120 EMT application fee by cashier's check or money order to the General Treasurer (no personal checks); non-refundable. Allow 4 to 6 weeks.
  7. From another state: add a copy of your other state's license and an interstate verification form from each state that licensed you.

Sources: RIDOH application for license as an EMS practitioner (revised October 24, 2024); rules 216-RICR-20-10.2. 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