Midwest

Illinois

State EMS office Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of EMS and Highway Safety

Licensure levels recognized EMR, EMT, EMT-Intermediate, Advanced EMT, Paramedic, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse, Emergency Communications Registered Nurse and Lead Instructor.

NREMT required for initial licensure Not required. A candidate may sit either the Illinois State Licensing Exam or the National Registry exam.

Reciprocity / legal recognition An AEMT, EMD, EMR, EMT or Paramedic trained outside Illinois applies for a license by reciprocity on the strength of their existing state license, sending copies of that license and of any National Registry card. Someone trained by an Illinois EMS system who took the National Registry exam does not need to apply.

Renewal cycle Four years.

Continuing education model Over the four-year period: 60 hours for an EMT, 80 for an AEMT or EMT-Intermediate and 100 for a Paramedic. Since 1 January 2023 every renewal also includes an hour on the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.

Visit state EMS office

Always confirm requirements with the state office directly.

Preparing for the exam

Our NREMT courses cover each certification level, and FP-C and CCT preparation covers critical care transport.

EMT

AEMT

Paramedic

See all states in the EMS licensing directory →

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Certification and licensure are not the same thing

National Registry certification

Passing the NREMT cognitive and psychomotor exams earns you national certification. It is what most states use as the entry standard, but it is not a license to practice on its own.

State license

Your state EMS office issues the credential that actually lets you work. Each state sets its own application process, background requirements, fees, and scope of practice.

Reciprocity

Moving states usually means applying for legal recognition of your existing certification rather than starting over. What transfers automatically varies, and this is where candidates most often get stuck.

This directory is provided for reference only. State requirements change, and the state EMS office is always the authoritative source. Prehospital Prep is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by the NREMT, the IBSC, or any state licensing agency.

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