Your Transition Plan: From EMT-Basic to Emergency Medical Technician - NREMT Transition Policy

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda

Newsletter content explains the nationwide transition from EMT-Basic (EMT-B) to Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) under updated EMS scope of practice and education standards. It outlines the purpose of the NREMT transition, provides background on how EMS certification titles evolved, and specifies the NREMT Transition Policy adopted June 8, 2011. Readers are instructed to complete state-approved transition education and validate completion through required certificates and registration cycles.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

NREMT Transition Policy

EMT-B to Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Transition course validation requirements

Additional content that may be included

| | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | |
Your Transition Plan: From EMT-Basic
to Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Fall 2011
| | | | | A Letter from the Executive Director
You Will Soon be a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) ... | | |
The new NREMT patch.
LOOK FOR YOUR SPECIAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER
To keep you informed of important news and updates, we have sent you an email newsletter to the email address you indicated in your NREMT online profile. Be sure your NREMT account is current!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Learn what YOU need to do... to transition from EMT-B to the new
EMT level as determined by the new Scope of Practice. | | ...and no longer an NREMT-Basic. During the next four years everyone in EMS will be going through a“transition” from levels of certification designated in the 1990’s to new titles with new interventions and responsibilities. These changes have been planned since 2000 and are being accomplished in conjunction with the EMS Education Agenda for the Future: A Systems Approach. Hundreds of national EMS leaders participated in discussions with states and stakeholders to help everyone arrive at this decision over the past 11 years.
This newsletter is being sent to you to outline specifically what YOU must do to become a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT).
First a little history regarding the EMS title of Emergency Medical Technician-Basic and the new Emergency Medical Technician. In 1969, via a federal contract, Dunlap and Associates produced the first Emergency Medical Technician Ambulance course. Many aspiring providers took this course and became EMT-As. | When the NREMT started a certification at that level in 1971, in order for a provider to obtain certification he or she had to have six months of experience working in the pre-hospital setting in order to be a NREMT-A. Later, some EMT-As began to work in health care settingsand soon an NREMT-NonAmbulance was designated. In 1989, the NREMT Board of Directors desired to reduce the confusion between EMT-Ambulance and Non-Ambulance and designated the title EMT-Basic, following the title used by some states.
In 1994 the Department of Transportation (DOT),
released a national standard curriculum titled, Emergency Medical Technician-Basic. Between 2004 and 2006, the National Association of State EMS Officials, in conjunction with other nationalstakeholder groups, developed and released the National EMS Scope of Practice Model; one of the components of the EMS Education Agenda for the Future. Part of those discussions concluded with changing the name of Emergency Medical Technician-Basic to Emergency Medical Technician and expanded | their knowledge and patient care abilities. Added to the national EMS scope of practice model and education standards was a change from assessment based patient care towards diagnostic based patient care, more extensive knowledge to assess and understand patient conditions and use of pulse oximeters for assessment purposes. Although many providers believe“skills” determine the value of a provider the focus of these changes were to increase the “knowledge” of future EMS providers when compared to those educated under the 1994 National Standard Curriculum. These changes in responsibilities and knowledge nationally require each state to review their scopes of practice and assure providers meet, at least, the minimum national standards. The National Registry, in concert with the EMS Education Agenda for the Future, is likewise making this “transition.”
The NREMT has worked with the National Association of State EMS Officials
EMS Education Agenda Implementation Team to develop policies that require you to complete or possess transition education.
cont. on pg. 3 | | | Page 2 Your Transition Plan: From EMT-B to Emergency Medical Technician | | | --- | --- | | NREMT Transition Policy
Adopted June 8, 2011
The NREMT Board of Director

FAQs

What is the NREMT Transition Policy for EMT-Basics?

The policy, adopted June 8, 2011, requires NREMTs to meet minimum knowledge and skills requirements in line with the National EMS Scope of Practice Model. It sets the framework for completing the EMT-B to EMT transition education.

Which EMT-Basics must complete a transition course to move to the EMT level?

EMT-Basics with expiration dates of March 31, 2011 or March 31, 2012 must complete a state-approved EMT-B to EMT transition course within two registration cycles (four years) to be eligible for National EMS Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT).

How must transition course completion be validated?

Completion must be validated by attending and successfully completing a state-approved transition course that issues a certificate containing the EMT-B name, the transition course completion date, the required completion statement, the sponsoring agency name, and the signature of the training responsible individual.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda