Can I Use Online Continuing Education Towards Recertification?
If you’re an EMS professional looking to stay certified, you might be wondering if online continuing education (CE) counts toward your recertification. The short answer? Yes. The long answer? It not only counts—but with the right provider, it can actually make your life a whole lot easier.
Recertification is a crucial part of maintaining your National Registry certification as an EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic. The medical field is constantly evolving, and staying sharp through continuing education ensures you’re providing the best care possible in the field. But let’s be honest—juggling shift work, family life, and CE requirements can feel like a full-time job in itself. That’s where online CE comes in to save the day (and your sanity).
The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) absolutely allows online continuing education as part of the recertification process, provided it meets specific standards. That’s where understanding the difference between F3 (Distributive Education) and F5 (Virtual Instructor-Led Training) becomes important.
DistanceCME offers CAPCE-accredited, 100% online CE courses that fall into both categories: F3 and F5. This means you can complete your hours from the comfort of your home—or even during downtime at the station—without sacrificing quality or compliance.
F3 Distributive Education is self-paced online learning. These modules are designed to let you work through the content on your own time. You can pause, rewind, and go through the material at a pace that works for you. This format is ideal for EMS professionals with unpredictable schedules or those who want to squeeze in CE between calls or after work. It gives you the flexibility to learn on your terms.
F5 Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT), on the other hand, offers the structure and interactivity of a live class—without the commute. These sessions are taught by experienced EMS educators in real time via video conferencing. You can ask questions, engage with the instructor, and even interact with other students. Best of all, DistanceCME offers more F5 live classes than any other provider. So, whether you’re working nights, weekends, or holidays, you can always find a session that fits into your life.
Now, it’s important to know that while online CE is accepted by the NREMT, some states have specific limits on how many hours can be completed through distributive (F3) learning. Always check with your state EMS office to ensure you’re following local rules. That said, many professionals choose a blended approach—combining F3 and F5 classes to maximize both flexibility and live instruction.
One of the biggest benefits of choosing an online CE provider like DistanceCME is the ability to get ahead of your recertification deadline without scrambling. Procrastination is a common pitfall. Life gets busy, and before you know it, your recert window is closing fast. Our 100% online platform means you can knock out your required hours at your convenience, whether you’re at home, at the station, or even on vacation (hey, we won’t judge).
And because DistanceCME is fully CAPCE-accredited, you can rest easy knowing your completed courses will be accepted by the NREMT. We’ve helped thousands of EMS professionals successfully recertify without the stress—and we can help you too.
So, can you use online continuing education toward recertification? Absolutely. And with DistanceCME, it’s not just allowed—it’s optimized. We’ve built a system that works for real EMS professionals with real lives, real responsibilities, and real time constraints.
Whether you prefer the interaction of a live class or the freedom of self-paced study, we’ve got your back. With the most live online courses, plus a robust library of on-demand F3 options available 24/7, DistanceCME is the smart way to stay certified without putting your life on hold.
Ready to get started? Explore our course catalog today and take the stress out of CE. You’ve got lives to save—we’ll handle the education part.
