How Many Continuing Education (CE) Hours Are Required for Recertification?

If you’re an EMS professional working in the field, continuing education isn’t just a formality—it’s a requirement. But the exact number of CE hours you need for recertification depends on your certification level and the path you follow with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). Whether you’re an EMT, AEMT, or paramedic, knowing your numbers can save you stress, time, and even your certification.

At DistanceCME, we hear this question all the time: “How many hours do I need, and how can I get them done without turning my life upside down?” The answer? We’ve made it easy. All our courses are 100% online and CAPCE-accredited. You can choose from live, instructor-led F5 (VILT) courses or on-demand F3 (Distributive) learning modules. And because our classes run throughout the day, you can get your hours done when it’s convenient for you—even if that’s after a 12-hour shift or at 3 a.m.

Let’s break down the hour requirements by certification level.

EMTs are required to complete 40 continuing education hours every two years. These 40 hours are divided into three components. The National Component takes up 20 hours, the Local/State Component requires 10 hours, and the Individual Component makes up the remaining 10 hours. Most of these hours can be completed online, using a combination of live virtual classes and self-paced courses. However, it’s always smart to double-check your state’s specific rules on how many of those hours can be “distributive” or self-paced.

Advanced EMTs, or AEMTs, need 50 hours of CE every two years. That breaks down to 25 hours for the National Component, 12.5 hours for the Local/State Component, and 12.5 hours for the Individual Component. These requirements ensure that AEMTs continue developing their clinical knowledge and decision-making skills as they work in increasingly complex prehospital settings. DistanceCME’s flexible scheduling means AEMTs don’t have to worry about finding time between calls or after shifts—we’ve got sessions available all day, every day.

Paramedics are at the top of the ladder when it comes to certification levels, and that comes with a higher CE requirement. Paramedics must complete 60 hours of continuing education every two years. This includes 30 hours for the National Component, 15 hours for the Local/State Component, and 15 hours for the Individual Component. Given the complexity of today’s advanced life support systems and the evolving nature of emergency medicine, these hours are crucial for staying sharp in the field.

What makes DistanceCME the go-to solution for so many EMS professionals? First, every course we offer is CAPCE-accredited, meaning it meets the gold standard for EMS continuing education. Second, our live instructor-led F5 courses offer real interaction with experienced instructors—not just someone reading off slides. And third, our self-paced F3 courses allow you to learn at your own speed, when it fits your schedule.

We’ve built DistanceCME specifically for EMS professionals who don’t have the luxury of sitting in a classroom for hours at a time. Whether you’re at the firehouse, between shifts, or just trying to get ahead before your deadline, you can find a course that works for your schedule. And with more live sessions available 24/7 than any other provider, you won’t be stuck waiting days for a seat to open.

The biggest mistake we see? Waiting too long to get started. Recertification creeps up faster than you think. Before you know it, the deadline is here and panic sets in. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With DistanceCME, you can chip away at your hours little by little, on your terms. No stress. No scrambling.

If you’re ready to take control of your CE, explore DistanceCME’s course catalog today. Thousands of EMS professionals trust us every year to help them stay certified and confident in the field.

Let us help you do the same.