How to Become an EMT in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Health Emergency Medical Services oversees all aspects of emergency medical services in the state. To become an EMT in Arkansas, Emergency Medical Technicians are tested using the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) written exam and the Arkansas Practical Skills examination.

Requirements to Become an EMT in Arkansas

Arkansas’s Advanced EMT certification is equivalent to the NREMT EMT Basic / EMT certification and follows the NREMT requirements. NREMT EMT-Basic/EMT - NREMT EMT Certification Information.

18 years of age or older
Basic Life Support certificate
Successful completion, within the past two years, of a state-approved EMT-Basic / EMT course that meets or exceeds the U.S. Department of Transportation EMT-Basic National Standard Curriculum.
Successful completion of a state-approved EMT-Basic / EMT practical skills exam.
Mandatory criminal records check

Requirements to Become an Advanced EMT in Arkansas

Arkansas’s Advanced EMT certification is equivalent to the NREMT Advanced EMT (AEMT) level. See NREMT AEMT Certification Information for more details.

Requirements:

18 years of age or older
Advanced Life Support certificate
Possess current National Certification at the EMT level or current state certification at the EMT level or higher
Successful completion, within the past two years, of a state-approved Advanced Emergency Medical Technician course that meets or exceeds the U.S. Department of Transportation National EMS Education Standards for the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
Mandatory criminal records check

Requirements to Become a Paramedic in Arkansas

Arkansas’s Paramedic certification is equivalent to the NREMT EMT Paramedic / Paramedic certification. See NREMT Paramedic Certification Information for more details.

Requirements:

18 years of age or older
Advanced Life Support certificate
Possess current National Certification at the EMT-Basic level or current state certification at the EMT-Basic level or higher
Successful completion, within the past two years, of a state-approved EMT-Paramedic / Paramedic course that meets or exceeds the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Paramedic National Standard Curriculum
Mandatory criminal records check

EMT Training in Arkansas

EMT training is available at certified training institutions throughout the state. These sites offer Basic, Intermediate, and Paramedic training following the Department of Transportation (DOT) approved curriculum.

A current list of approved EMT training sites in Arkansas can be found here - EMT Training in Arkansas

Out of State Applicants

How to Become an EMT in Arkansas if You are Currently Certified in Another State

Out-of-State applicants wishing to become licensed as an EMT in Arkansas must supply the following:

A completed Verification of EMT Status Form
A completed Arkansas application for EMSP licensure.
A $20.00 (non-refundable) money order or check made payable to the Arkansas Department of Health.
A signed copy of an American Heart Association Healthcare Provider or AmericanRed Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer card (front and back).
Copies of all current State and National Registry certification cards.
Successfully complete the Arkansas Psychomotor Skills Exam.
A criminal background check (which includes a State and FBI check) for all OST EMSPs.
Verification of AEMT psychomotor skills within the past two (2) years. (Applies only to AEMT applicants)
A signed copy of a current American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) card. (Applies only to Paramedic applicants)
Verification of appropriate psychomotor skills within the past two (2) years. (Applies only to Paramedic applicants)

Detailed information and application forms can be found in the Arkansas Reciprocity Manual.

Arkansas EMT Applicants with Criminal Convictions

Arkansas requires EMTs to be certified by NREMT which denies applicants with criminal convictions based on the type of conviction and crime committed. They have three categories of denial guidelines:

General Denial Guidelines - Individuals convicted of crimes in this category will be denied in all cases.

Presumptive Denial Guidelines - Individuals convicted of crimes in this category will be denied except in extraordinary circumstances, and then will be granted only if the applicant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that certification will not jeopardize public health and safety.

Discretionary Denial - Individuals convicted of any crimes including DUI, but not including minor traffic violations may be denied after consideration of the following factors:

The seriousness of the crime.
Whether the crime relates directly to the skills of out-of-hospital care service and the delivery of patient care.
How much time has elapsed since the crime was committed.
Whether the crime involved violence to, or abuse of, another person.
Whether the crime involved a minor or a person of diminished capacity.
Whether the applicant’s actions and conduct since the crime occurred are consistent with the holding of a position of public trust.

For a detailed listing of specific crimes and their category of denial see the NREMT Felony Conviction Policy - https://www.nremt.org/nremt/About/policy_felony.asp

Arkansas may issue a waiver depending on the circumstances of the crime:

The Division will forward a request for waiver to the Arkansas Department of Health Director on all applicants who have been convicted of the crimes listed below if five (5) years have passed since the conviction or five (5) years have passed since release from custodial confinement, or are currently certified EMTs, prior to making final determination on certification or recertification.

See Background Requirements Section 4 for more information.