NAEMT FAQs

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• How long has NAEMT been around?

  The first NAEMT board meeting took place on September 27, 1975, in Columbus, Ohio. Today, NAEMT is the nation’s largest and oldest organization solely representing the professional interests of all EMS practitioners, including first responders, EMTs and paramedics.

• How do I join?

  Our online application process makes it easy to join. Click here to join now!

• How much does membership cost? What do I get?

  The individual membership rate is $40 per year. Discounts are available for members of affiliated associations at $30, and members of the military at $25. NAEMT members receive a subscription to NAEMT News, the association’s quarterly printed newsletter; regular e-mail updates on matters of interest to EMS professionals; a significant discount to attend EMS EXPO; tuition discounts and scholarship opportunities; two online continuing education courses, discounts on health insurance, theme park admission, medical supplies and office supplies, subscriptions to other EMS publications; access to professional liability insurance; and a special NAEMT credit card offer. Individual dues-paying members are provided with $10,000 in accidental death and dismemberment insurance at no extra cost. NAEMT also has a one year student membership for $25.

• Can a group join NAEMT?

  NAEMT offers a Squad Membership program to EMS services that provides 10 individual memberships plus significant discounts on a range of EMS products that directly benefit the EMS service, including discounts on emergency medical supplies, two-way radios and pagers, EMS software, billing services, EMS publications, and health insurance. Squad membership is only $400, and additional members may be included for $35/member. Click here for more information or to download an application.

• Are special membership rates available for members of the military?

  Military membership is not a membership category; however, members of the military at grade E5 or below receive a discounted rate of $25 on an individual membership, which normally costs $40.

• Can EMT students get a discounted membership?

  EMT students qualify for a special one-year membership of $25 with proof of EMT student status. 

• I’m a volunteer. Isn’t NAEMT only for paid EMS workers?

  NAEMT represents all first responders, EMTs, paramedics and other prehospital emergency medical professionals, whether they are paid or volunteer.

• Do NAEMT members receive discounts on EMS-related subscriptions or merchandise?

  NAEMT offers its members discounts on EMS-related products and publications, as well as other products that you and your family can use. Click here for a full listing of all our member benefits.

• What does NAEMT do?

  The mission of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians is to represent the professional interests of all EMS practitioners, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, first responders and other professionals working in pre-hospital emergency medicine. NAEMT members work in all sectors of EMS, including government service agencies, fire departments, hospital-based ambulance services, private companies, industrial and special operations settings, and in the military. NAEMT is the united voice representing all EMS practitioners on the issues that matter most, including:

  - Respect and recognition from the government, other medical professionals and the public.

  - Pay that reflects their professional training, responsibilities and dedication.

  - Improved benefits such as death, disability and dismemberment coverage.

  - Leadership at the federal level on par with police and fire representation.

  - Necessary, balanced and equitable funding for EMS in all locations.

  - Public policy that supports paramedics, EMTs, and first responders, as well as the patients they serve.

• Does NAEMT have a voice in Washington on national EMS issues?

  Through NAEMT's Advocacy program, we represent our members on the issues that impact the EMS work environment and the ability of EMS practitioners to effectively serve their patients. We advocate to advance the interests of our profession and our patients.
  
  Through advocacy, we help ensure that the EMS perspective is understood and incorporated into the policies, plans and programs of our government and other national institutions. We voice our concerns when actions are being considered that would have an adverse effect on our members and their patients. And, we promote EMS professionalism and our image within the EMS and medical communities.Click here for a full listing of our advocacy activities.

• What educational programs does NAEMT offer?

  NAEMT offers the highest quality continuing EMS education in the industry. Programs include Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), Tactical Casualty Combat Care, Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) and Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC). All NAEMT education programs are accredited by CECBEMS.

  Prehospital Trauma Life Support was developed by NAEMT in cooperation with the American College of Surgeons - Committee on Trauma. It focuses on the management and transport of adult and pediatric trauma patients. This program is recognized around the world as the leading continuing education course on trauma.

  Under the auspices of PHTLS, Trauma First Response is a one-day, eight-hour continuing education course designed to teach the principles of PHTLS to first responders, police officers, firefighters, rescue personnel and safety officers. This course is helpful in preparing for care of trauma patients, whether the first responders serve as part of transport teams or they care for patients while awaiting transport providers. The core content of PHTLS is covered in a manner that is useful to providers that have not had EMT or advanced prehospital training.

  Tactical Casualty Combat Care is a two-day course that is the companion course to PHTLS for military personnel preparing to be deployed in support of combat operations. This course is devoted specifically to the care of the injured soldier on the battlefield, the providers of that care, and the equipment that they utilize.

  Advanced Medical Life Support provides an in-depth, scenario-based study of adult medical emergencies commonly encountered in the prehospital environment. The course includes a newly designed AMLS assessment pathway, added book chapters, and new content for the provider and instructor courses, including Master Level scenarios.

  Emergency Pediatric Care is an in-depth study of the prehospital care of injured and ill children. Emphasizing a pragmatic approach, EPC teaches providers by using problem-focused, assessment-based methods while concentrating on what they need to know. The curriculum is designed to allow for a minimal amount of lecture and an ample amount of actual hands-on practice using case-based scenarios.

• How can I become an instructor for NAEMT educational programs?

  The Instructor Course is designed for those individuals who have successfully completed one of the NAEMT education program provider courses. Once you have completed the Instructor Course, you will need to be monitored by either an education committee member, regional coordinator, state coordinator, or affiliate faculty. The monitoring and approval process must be completed within one year of completion of the instructor course.

• How does NAEMT differ from NREMT?

  Although they have similar names, NAEMT and NREMT are very different organizations with different missions. NAEMT is the only national association serving and representing the professional interests of EMS practitioners, including first responders, EMTs and paramedics. NREMT stands for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and is the national certifying body for EMTs and paramedics. For more information about NREMT, click here.

• Does NAEMT host conferences through the year?

  Each year, NAEMT hosts its Annual Meeting, which is co-located with EMS EXPO. The Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for NAEMT members to come together to participate in the association’s business meetings, attend the NAEMT General Membership Meeting to hear from the President on the state of the association, and network with fellow members and EMS leaders from across the country at the NAEMT Member Reception. For more information on the NAEMT Annual Meeting, click here.

• Does NAEMT present awards to its members?

  Awards are an important part of the NAEMT General Membership Meeting. Awards are presented for EMT of the Year, Paramedic of the Year, Paid Service of the Year, and Volunteer Service of the Year. In addition, the Rocco V. Morando Lifetime Achievement Award, NAEMT’s most prestigious award, is presented. For more information on awards, click here.

• How do I nominate someone for an NAEMT award?

  Our online nomination process makes it simple and quick to submit your award nomination. Click here to visit our National Awards page and access online nomination applications.