How to Become an EMT in New Jersey
To work as an EMT in New Jersey, you must be at least 18, finish an EMT training program that includes a 10-hour clinical experience, pass the NREMT exam, and get certified by the New Jersey Department of Health, Office of EMS. Every rule below is taken from the state rule itself (N.J.A.C. 8:40A-7.2).
Updated October 2026 · Rules checked October 2026 · Sources: N.J.A.C. 8:40A-7.2, NREMT, IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
- Minimum age
- 18N.J.A.C. 8:40A-7.2
- Certification exam
- NREMT$104 per attempt
- Colleges with EMT programs
- 5IPEDS 2023–24
- New Jersey median pay
- $53,610$25.78/hr · BLS May 2025
New Jersey EMT requirements at a glance
| Certifying agency | New Jersey Department of Health, Office of EMS |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | at least 18 |
| Training | An EMT training program that includes a 10-hour clinical experience |
| Exam | The NREMT EMT exam, the only exam New Jersey recognizes for EMT certification |
| Also required | Current CPR certification |
| Renewal | Certifications expire on June 30 or December 31; there is no grace period |
| Moving from another state | EMTs certified by the NREMT, New York, Delaware, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia or West Virginia have EMT status in New Jersey with no further testing; a New Jersey card also takes an application and a Core 13 program |
From N.J.A.C. 8:40A-7.2, N.J.A.C. 8:40A-7.1, N.J.A.C. 8:40A-6.1 and N.J.A.C. 8:40A-7.3, read in October 2026. Rules change: confirm with the New Jersey Department of Health, Office of EMS before you apply.
Step 1: Check that you qualify
New Jersey requires you to be at least 18. Background: A conviction for any crime or disorderly persons offense, or entry into pre-trial diversion, bars certification unless the Department grants a waiver.
Step 2: Finish an approved EMT course
An EMT training program that includes a 10-hour clinical experience. 5 colleges in New Jersey report EMT or paramedic programs to the U.S. Department of Education; see them with costs and graduates. Fire departments, hospitals and private schools also run EMT courses that are not in that federal data, so check any course's state approval before you pay.
Step 3: Pass the NREMT exam
The NREMT EMT exam, the only exam New Jersey recognizes for EMT certification. The NREMT EMT exam is computer adaptive: 70 to 120 questions in up to 2 hours, $104 per attempt, taken at a Pearson test center or proctored online. You also pass a skills (psychomotor) test approved by the state. The NREMT requires your course to be finished within the past 2 years, and passed portions stay valid for 24 months (NREMT). What the exam covers.
Step 4: Apply for New Jersey certification
Apply to the New Jersey Department of Health, Office of EMS. You will also need:
- Current CPR certification
Step 5: Keep it current
Certifications expire on June 30 or December 31; there is no grace period. NREMT certification has its own recertification ($29 fee from October 1, 2026). EMTs certified by the NREMT, New York, Delaware, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia or West Virginia have EMT status in New Jersey with no further testing; a New Jersey card also takes an application and a Core 13 program.
6,120 EMTs work in New Jersey. The median earns $53,610 a year; the top 10% earn $64,740 or more (BLS May 2025). New Jersey EMT pay by metro area.
EMT requirements by state
| State | Min. age | Exam | Time limit | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 18 | Set by state | 2 years | 18 |
| Florida | — | Set by state | 2 years | 43 |
| New Jersey | 18 | NREMT | — | 5 |
| New York | 17 | Set by state | 2 years | 14 |
| Ohio | 18 | NREMT | 2 years | 39 |
| Texas | 18 | NREMT | 2 years | 53 |
| Washington | 18 | Set by state | — | 13 |
Only states whose EMT rules we have read in full are listed. How to become an EMT: all states compared.
Becoming an EMT in New Jersey: FAQ
How old do you have to be to become an EMT in New Jersey?
New Jersey requires you to be at least 18 (N.J.A.C. 8:40A-7.2).
Do you need the NREMT to be an EMT in New Jersey?
Yes. The NREMT EMT exam, the only exam New Jersey recognizes for EMT certification. The NREMT EMT exam costs $104 per attempt.
How much do EMTs make in New Jersey?
The median New Jersey EMT earned $53,610 a year ($25.78 an hour) in BLS May 2025 data, above the U.S. median of $44,470. The middle half earned $48,010 to $60,900.