EMT in Virginia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for VA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Virginia.
Jobs (VA)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become an emt in Virginia
To become a certified EMT in Virginia, individuals must complete a state-approved EMT training program and hold a current CPR certification. They must then pass both the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive exam and the Virginia Psychomotor Competency Verification. The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services, is the licensing body, and certification must be renewed every four years with 40 hours of continuing education. Virginia offers reciprocity for those with current National Registry certifications from any state or U.S. territory.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Virginia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Virginia requirements
| Licensing body | Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services |
| State license | Required |
| Education | State-approved EMT training program and High School Diploma/GED. |
| Exam | NREMT Cognitive and Virginia Psychomotor Exams ($104) |
| Renewal | Every 4.0 years |
| Continuing education | 40.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | Virginia recognizes NREMT and offers "Legal Recognition" for state certifications, but recertification requires state exams.Reciprocal states: Virginia recognizes current National Registry certifications for reciprocity from any state or U.S. territory. Providers with current EMS certifications from other states can apply for 'Legal Recognition', which is valid for a maximum of one calendar year or the time left on their current certification, whichever is shorter. No initial test is required for Legal Recognition, but recertification requires completing Virginia CE criteria and passing both Virginia practical and NREMT cognitive exams. |
| Notes | Must be at least 16 years old to attend training (parental consent required for those under 18). Must be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English. Requires a criminal background check. Must hold a current CPR certification (healthcare provider level) by the end of the EMT course and at the time of state testing. High School Diploma/GED is required for AEMT, but not explicitly stated as a prerequisite for initial EMT certification, though it is generally expected for entry into higher-level EMS courses. |
Source: Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Virginia? See whether Virginia recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our EMT license reciprocity guide.
workspace_premium Virginia license tiers
Virginia offers multiple tiers of emt licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| EMR | N/A |
| EMT | N/A |
| AEMT | N/A |
| Paramedic | N/A |
work_outline Job outlook
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleVirginia license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+5.1%)
Compare EMT head-to-head
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