How do you renew an EMS certification in Ohio?
Ohio EMS certifications renew every three years through the Division of EMS, with four options: hold current NREMT, complete a refresher plus CE, meet the state minimum CE, or test in lieu during the last six months (three attempts). State CE over the 36 months is EMR 15, EMT 40 (or a 30-hour refresher plus 10), AEMT 60 (or a 40-hour refresher plus 20) and paramedic 75 (or a 48-hour refresher plus 27).
Open the official Ohio renewal page
What each level needs
| Level | Requirement |
|---|---|
| EMR | 15 hours |
| EMT | 40 hours, or 30-hour refresher plus 10 |
| AEMT | 60 hours, or 40-hour refresher plus 20 |
| Paramedic | 75 hours, or 48-hour refresher plus 27 |
What else Ohio requires
- The statutory 86-hour paramedic CE option specifies 12 pediatric, 4 geriatric, 8 trauma (including trauma triage) and 6 emergency-cardiac hours.
- Medical-director core-competency verification is an option.
- Testing in lieu: last 6 months of the cycle, 3 attempts.
How this relates to NREMT
In Ohio the National Registry is one way to renew; the state CE route above is the other. See the NREMT requirements by level.
Sources
Compiled from these sources, retrieved September 2026. Renewal rules change; confirm with the issuing agency before you rely on any figure here.