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EMT Refresher Training

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EMT Courses
Frequently Asked Questions

Our NYS DOH-certified program uses a Hybrid Challenge Model designed to assess your current skills so you only attend the sessions you actually need.

  • Baseline Attendance: Every student is required to attend a baseline minimum of 6 core skill sessions. However, your final schedule depends entirely on your performance during the initial Challenge Exams held at the start of the course:
  • The Challenge Exams: You will take a Challenge Written Exam (testing didactic knowledge) and a Challenge Practical Exam (testing hands-on skills) at the beginning of the course.
  • Didactic/Lectures: There are no traditional in-person lecture classes. Passing sections of the initial Challenge Written Exam exempts you from corresponding assignment modules; any didactic material you still need to refresh will be completed as independent coursework on your own time.
  • Hands-on Skills: The Challenge Practical Exam tests you on 6 skill stations.
    • If you pass all 6 stations: You are exempt from attending any extra training classes beyond the 6 mandatory baseline sessions —and you do not need to take the Practical Skills Exam (PSE) at the end of the course.
    • If you fail any stations: You will be required to attend additional mandatory skill-retraining classes (held on the specific dates and times noted on the schedule) to relearn those skills —and you must take and pass the final PSE at the end of the course.
  • FEMA Requirement: All students must also complete and submit 3 mandatory online FEMA certificates.

You can take your exam once the course is officially over and all course requirements have been completed:

  • NYS Written Exam (PSI): After the course end date, it typically takes 5 to 7 days to receive an email from PSI. Once you receive this email, you can schedule your computer-based state exam at a local testing center.
  • National Registry (NREMT): Yes! Upon successful completion of the course and passing the New York State Practical Skills Exam (PSE) in class, you are eligible to take the NREMT exam. To get certified nationally, you can create an account and register for the cognitive exam directly at nremt.org.

Note: If you take the NREMT exam, you can obtain your New York State certification via reciprocity once you pass. Just reach out to us after you pass your exam, and we’ll send you the information you need.

You are eligible to take the EMT-Basic Refresher course if you meet any of the following criteria:

  • Approaching Expiration: You hold a current New York State EMT-Basic card that will expire in 9 months or less.
  • Expired Certification: You hold an expired New York State EMT certification (there is no time limit on how long it has been expired).
  • Exam Failures (Within 1 Year): It is still within 1 year of your state course end date, and you:
    • Failed the Final Practical Skills Examination (PSE), OR
    • Failed the NYS Written Certifying Examination after a third attempt.
  • Special Permission: You have received written permission from the NYS Bureau of EMS to enroll in an EMT-Basic refresher course.

Not Eligible? If you do not meet any of the criteria above, you cannot take the refresher course. Instead, you may be interested in our EMT-Basic Original Training Program.

You can technically register for the refresher course any time before your card expires. That said, when you take your state exam affects how much of your remaining certification you keep:

  • The 9-Month Rollover Rule: If you take your state exam within 9 months of your card’s expiration, any time you had left on your old card automatically gets added onto your new certification.
  • Testing Too Early: If you take your state exam more than 9 months before your card expires, you lose that rollover — your new 4-year certification will simply start from your exam date, and any months remaining on your old card are forfeited.

Please also keep the following NYS-DOH rules in mind:

  • No Grace Period: Once your certification expiration date passes, you cannot legally work or volunteer as an EMT until you hold a new, valid card.
  • In-Person Exam: If you take your state written certification exam in person, your score report can serve as a temporary certification for up to 180 days while you wait for your new card to arrive in the mail.
  • Online Exam: If you take your exam online, there is no temporary certification — you’ll need to wait until your new card physically arrives before you can legally work or volunteer.

Have a few months left on your certification? You may be eligible to renew through our CME (Continuing Education) program instead of taking the full refresher course. Click here for CME Program details.

Don’t Risk a Lapse: We frequently see EMTs forced out of work because they delayed their registration and ran out of time. Secure your seat early to protect your livelihood.

To view our most up-to-date schedule, specific location details, and open seats, please visit the following link: Current Course Listings.

Total tuition for the course is $745. We offer a simple payment plan to split the cost:

  • At Registration: $295.00 non-refundable registration fee (required to secure your seat in the class).
  • First Day of Class: $450.00 remaining balance.

Textbook Requirement: Please note that tuition does not include a textbook. Students are required to have any current EMT textbook for their own personal study use throughout the course.

Accepted Forms of Payment: We accept major credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover), Chase QuickPay / Zelle, cash, and money orders.

Note: A seat in any upcoming course can only be guaranteed once the $295.00 registration fee has been received.

To secure your seat, you must complete the registration process on our website. Simply click on Current Course Listings, select your preferred schedule, enter your registration details, and submit your payment. Please note that a seat cannot be reserved or guaranteed without the completed $295.00 registration fee.

Please contact us today for assistance with any additional questions about our programs. Emergency Care Programs looks forward to hearing from you.

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