North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Candidate Handbook - Credentialing and Exam Requirements

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Bintang

North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services (NC OEMS) credentialing and examination handbook outlining EMR, EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic credential pathways. The document describes the OEMS role, the EMS practice settings for credentialed personnel, and eligibility criteria covering age, approved educational program completion, scope of practice performance evaluation, written examination requirements, and criminal background history review. It also includes procedures and conditions for special testing accommodations, examination registration and fees, exam-day rules, and policies affecting out-of-state candidates and required background-check materials.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

General Information

Credentialed Individuals

Eligibility

Examination Registration

Examination Information

Fees

Examination Day

Examination rules

Requesting Special Testing Accommodation

Requirements for requesting an examination accommodation

Examination Results

Examination challenge and review

Retaking the Examination

Credential Renewal

Affiliated EMS provider

Non-affiliated EMS providers

Appendix A: Exam Preparation Tip

Appendix B: Credentialing and Research Privacy Polic

# North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services(EMS)Candidate Handbook Emergency Medical Responder(EMR)Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)Paramedic Table of Contents General Information…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2 Credentialed Individual……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2 Eligibility………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2 Examination Registration……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3 Deadline. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4 Examination Information……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4 Fees……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4 Examination Day…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4 Examination rules…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4 Requesting Special Testing Accommodation. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………5 Requirements for requesting an examination accommodation…………………………………………………………………………5 Examination Results …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6 Examination challenge and review…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7 Retaking the Examination………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7 Credential Renewal…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7 Affiliated EMS provider………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8 Non-affiliated EMS providers……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8 AppendixA: Exam Preparation Tip…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9 Appendix B: Credentialing and Research Privacy Polic……………………………………………………………………………………11 ## General Information The North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services(NC OEMS)is responsible for credentialingemergency service personnel in the state of North Carolina and has been administering credentialingexaminations since 1974.NC OEMS oversees credentialing programs for four distinct areas:EmergencyMedical Responder(EMR),Emergency Medical Technician(EMT),Advanced Emergency MedicalTechnician(AEMT)and Paramedic.As a part of the credentialing process,applicants must pass a writtenexamination. The mission of the Office of Emergency Medical Services is to foster emergency medical systems,traumasystems,and credentialed EMS personnel to improve responses to emergencies and disasters which willresult in higher quality emergency medical care being delivered to the residents and visitors of NorthCarolina. ## Credentialed Individuals EMS personnel who have been educated in approved programs,are credentialed by the OEMS,and areaffiliated with an approved EMS system may administer lifesaving medications and perform acts tomaintain or sustain an individual/s life as allowed by the North Carolina Medical Board. Credentialed EMS personnel are eligible to function in the following practice settings in accordance withestablished protocols: (1)at the location of a physiological or psychological illness or injury including transportation toan appropriate treatment facility if required; (2)at public or community health facilities in conjunction with public and community healthinitiatives; (3)in hospitals and clinics; (4)in residences,facilities,or other locations as part of wellness or injury prevention initiativeswithin the community and the public health system;and (5)at mass gatherings or special events. ## Eligibility In order to be credentialed as an EMR,EMT,AEMT,or Paramedic,candidates must meet the followingcriteria: (1)Be at least 18 years of age.(Students who are 17 years of age are eligible to take EMR andEMT state exams;however NC OEMS willhold the credential until the individual turns 18.) (2)Successfully complete an approved educational program for their level of application.If theeducational program was completed over one yea

FAQs

Who administers EMS credentialing examinations in North Carolina?

The North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services (NC OEMS) is responsible for credentialing emergency service personnel and has administered credentialing examinations since 1974.

What are the core eligibility requirements to be credentialed as an EMR, EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic?

Candidates must meet minimum age requirements, complete an approved educational program for their level, complete a scope of practice performance evaluation, pass the required written examination, and undergo a criminal background history review.

What applies to candidates whose primary residence is outside North Carolina regarding background checks?

For qualifying out-of-state residency situations, required materials include signed consent for a criminal history check, fingerprints via an approved method, and criminal history data from the Department of Justice, including any required processing fees.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Bintang