How to Become an EMT in New York
To work as an EMT in New York, you must be 17 by the last day of the month your course ends, finish a state-approved course given by a state-approved course sponsor, pass the exam set by the state health department, and get certified by the New York State Department of Health. The clock matters: you have 2 years from the end of your course to finish. Every rule below is taken from the state rule itself (10 NYCRR §800.6).
Updated October 2026 · Rules checked October 2026 · Sources: 10 NYCRR §800.6, NREMT, IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
- Minimum age
- 1710 NYCRR §800.6
- Certification exam
- Set by stateapproved by the state health department
- Colleges with EMT programs
- 14IPEDS 2023–24
- New York median pay
- $48,400$23.27/hr · BLS May 2025
New York EMT requirements at a glance
| Certifying agency | New York State Department of Health |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 17 by the last day of the month your course ends |
| Training | A state-approved course given by a state-approved course sponsor |
| Exam | A practical skills evaluation and a cognitive exam approved by the NYS Department of Health |
| Time limit | Pass both exams within 2 years of the course end date; after that, a state-approved remediation program comes first |
From 10 NYCRR §800.6, read in October 2026. Rules change: confirm with the New York State Department of Health before you apply.
Step 1: Check that you qualify
New York requires you to be 17 by the last day of the month your course ends. Background: Convictions reviewed under Correction Law Article 23-A.
Step 2: Finish an approved EMT course
A state-approved course given by a state-approved course sponsor. 14 colleges in New York 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.
What college EMT programs charge in New York
1 college reports a price: $17,900 for tuition plus books and supplies (IPEDS 2023–24). More: how much EMT classes cost by state.
| College (lowest prices) | City | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Allied Health Education | Brooklyn | $17,900 |
Price = tuition plus books and supplies, self-reported by colleges for 2023–24; it covers the college's largest EMT or paramedic program. Exam and state fees are extra.
EMT classes in New York's biggest metro areas
Step 3: Pass the New York certification exam
A practical skills evaluation and a cognitive exam approved by the NYS Department of Health. If you don't pass both within 2 years of the course end date, you must complete a state-approved remediation program before trying again.
Step 4: Apply for New York certification
Apply to the New York State Department of Health.
Pass both exams within 2 years of the course end date; after that, a state-approved remediation program comes first.
Step 5: Keep it current
Renewal is covered by a separate rule we have not summarized here; ask the New York State Department of Health.
14,840 EMTs work in New York. The median earns $48,400 a year; the top 10% earn $69,210 or more (BLS May 2025). New York 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 York: FAQ
How old do you have to be to become an EMT in New York?
New York requires you to be 17 by the last day of the month your course ends (10 NYCRR §800.6).
Do you need the NREMT to be an EMT in New York?
The New York rule does not name the NREMT for EMTs trained in the state. It requires a practical skills evaluation and a cognitive exam approved by the NYS Department of Health (10 NYCRR §800.6). Ask your program which exam you will sit.
How long do I have to get certified after my EMT course in New York?
Pass both exams within 2 years of the course end date; after that, a state-approved remediation program comes first (10 NYCRR §800.6).
How much do EMT classes cost in New York?
1 New York college reports an EMT or paramedic program price to the U.S. Department of Education: $17,900 for tuition plus books and supplies (IPEDS 2023–24).
How much do EMTs make in New York?
The median New York EMT earned $48,400 a year ($23.27 an hour) in BLS May 2025 data, above the U.S. median of $44,470. The middle half earned $43,270 to $63,870.