Tennessee licenses EMTs through the Department of Health's Division of EMS under the EMS Board. Everything below comes from the Board's rules (Chapter 1200-12-01, revised June 2026) and the Department's licensure materials, checked October 18, 2026. Confirm on the linked pages 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.
Tennessee Department of Health, Division of EMS (EMS Board)
Who can apply:18 or older, able to read, write and speak English, with a high school diploma or GED, and no history in the past three years of drug or alcohol misuse that affects practice.
Medical exam: a physician-signed form certifying you are fit for patient care (vision, hearing, speech, use of all limbs, no communicable disease).
Course: Board-approved Tennessee training at the EMT level.
Exams: a Board-approved written and practical exam; if you fail you can reapply to test. Every licensure requirement must be done within two years of finishing training, or the application is treated as abandoned. Program and state reciprocity materials point to the National Registry exam; ask your program which one you will sit.
Background check: a criminal background check sent straight to the Division by the vendor named in the application materials, good for one year. You must also disclose any conviction (other than minor traffic) and any license denial or discipline anywhere.
Fees: a $50 application fee and a $75 license fee, by check or money order to the Tennessee Department of Health, plus whatever the testing agency charges.
Renewal: before your license cycle ends, with the $65 renewal fee, a current CPR card and either a Board-approved renewal exam, 20 continuing education hours (at least 5 pediatric), or 2 college credit hours in EMT studies. Lapsed two years or more means the course again.
From another state: reciprocity for EMTs certified by another state, the federal government or the National Registry, with the Board's written and practical exams, the background check and a $100 reciprocity application fee, filed online.