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The Daily Insight

How do I become an EMT in NY?

Author

John Thompson

Published Mar 20, 2026

Qualifications:

  1. Complete the Application for Emergency Medical Services Certification (DOH-65), including affirmation regarding criminal convictions.
  2. Successfully complete an approved New York State EMT-B or AEMT course.
  3. Achieve a passing score on the practical and written certification examinations.

How long is EMT school in NY?

208 hours
The EMT course is 208 hours over a 2-4 month period, depending on the schedule.

How many EMTs are there in New York State?

Ambulance Services

Ownership TypeNumber Services
NYS Government1
US Government10
Fire Department507
Total1107

How much do EMTs make in NY per hour?

EMT Salary in New York

Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$38,938$19
75th Percentile$35,648$17
Average$32,512$16
25th Percentile$29,615$14

What do EMT make an hour?

EMT Salary

Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$35,500$17
75th Percentile$32,500$16
Average$29,924$14
25th Percentile$27,000$13

Is the NYS EMT exam hard?

It is an entry level exam to gauge entry level competence of providers. It’s an easy enough exam, and in my opinion is not hard enough. Tried to com up with another way to phrase that, but you cant improve on perfection, so there’s a quote from the same thread re NREMT.

What is the difference between EMT and EMS?

EMS stands for Emergency Medical Services and is a whole category of medicine. EMT stands for Emergency Medical Technician, which is a specific certification for a healthcare role in the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system.

What happens if you fail the NYS EMT exam?

If you fail the examination on your first attempt, you will receive a new Student Examination Ticket with your examination results. If you loose your Student Examination Ticket, report the loss to the State EMS Office Certification Unit at 1-518- 402-0996.

How hard is the EMT final?

Yes the NREMT is hard, no matter how much you study, the 70-120 question test is designed to challenge a potential EMT-B to the limits of their knowledge. The NREMT National pass rate for 2012 was 72%. That means that for every four people who take the test, one will not pass.

Who gets paid more EMS or EMT?

As a paramedic, you’ll earn more money than an EMT, which might affect your decision about becoming a paramedic vs. EMT. Paramedics generally make an average of about $40,000 annually, but can earn as much as $70,000 or more a year. EMT pay averages $33,000 a year, with the top earners taking home $51,000 a year.