How to Find and Complete CAPCE Accredited EMS Continuing Education
What Is CAPCE Accredited EMS Continuing Education?
CAPCE accredited EMS continuing education consists of courses reviewed and approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education, the national standard-setting body for EMS CE quality.
The National Registry of EMTs accepts state EMS office-accepted and CAPCE accredited education, education from EMS education programs, and U.S. accredited academic credit.
Choosing CAPCE accredited courses is the most reliable way for EMRs, EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics to satisfy both NREMT and state recertification requirements from a single source.
Why CAPCE Accreditation Matters
CAPCE is an accrediting body charged with the review and accreditation of EMS continuing education.
It does not sell or deliver courses itself. Instead, it evaluates providers and their course content against published standards before granting accreditation.
CAPCE is an independent accrediting body that reviews and approves CE programs to ensure they meet industry standards for content quality, instructional design, and educational effectiveness.
That independent review is the reason so many states and the NREMT treat CAPCE accreditation as a baseline for accepted CE.
CAPCE was established in 1992 to create consistent standards for accrediting EMS CE activities nationwide. It maintains a database of accredited courses and conducts face-to-face site visits and online content audits.
For providers, the practical result is straightforward:
CAPCE accredited EMS CE courses are accepted by the National Registry of EMTs for recertification and by virtually every state EMS regulatory agency for state-level recertification.
How CAPCE CE Hours Fit Into NREMT Recertification
The NREMT uses the National Continued Competency Program (NCCP) to structure recertification. Under that model, CE hours are divided into three components.
The national component constitutes 50% of the total recertification requirements. Topics reflect current trends in evidence-based medicine, scope of practice changes, and position papers from EMS research organizations, with additional focus on low-frequency, high-criticality patient presentations.
The local component constitutes 25% of the total recertification requirements. Specific topic requirements may be defined by your state, region, or local agency.
The individual component also constitutes 25% of the recertification requirements. Registrants are free to take any state or CAPCE approved EMS-related education.
Hour totals vary by certification level.
CEU requirements vary based on your certification level and recertification path. For NREMT recertification under the NCCP, EMRs need 16 hours, EMTs need 40 hours, AEMTs need 50 hours, and Paramedics need 60 hours per cycle.
Always confirm current totals on the NREMT recertification page before you enroll.
As of 2022, there are no limits on how much online education you can use on your NREMT application.
That makes fully online, CAPCE accredited programs a practical option for providers who cannot attend in-person classes. For a deeper look at how the NCCP model works in practice, see our article on the 2025 NCCP model.
Step-by-Step: How to Complete CAPCE Accredited EMS CE
- Confirm your recertification deadline and required hours. Check both your NREMT account and your state EMS office.
State-only recertification paths often require additional hours and may include state-specific topics like jurisprudence or protocol updates.
You can look up requirements for your state on our state EMS recertification requirements pages. - Verify the provider is CAPCE accredited.
Not all EMS CE providers carry CAPCE accreditation, so verify before enrolling. Look for the CAPCE logo on the provider’s website, and confirm accreditation at the CAPCE provider database at capce.org. - Choose a course package that matches your certification level. Match the package to your level (EMR, EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic) and recertification path (NREMT NCCP or state-only). Buying more hours than you need wastes money; buying fewer hours than required leaves you short at renewal time.
- Complete the NCCP national component first. These are prescribed topics that cover airway, cardiovascular, trauma, medical, and operations content. Finishing this portion early leaves room to address state or local component topics without deadline pressure.
- Address state and local component requirements. Some states mandate specific topics. Check whether your state requires topics like jurisprudence, pediatric emergencies, or trauma updates before selecting elective hours. Our NREMT recertification programs page breaks down how national, local, and individual components interact.
- Save all completion certificates.
Accredited CE providers must maintain accurate and complete records of course completions and verify attendance,
but you should keep your own copies as a backup for any audit or state renewal submission. - Submit to NREMT and your state agency. Log completed hours in your NREMT account before your certification expires. If your state has a separate renewal portal, submit there as well.
Once a certification lapses you cannot simply add hours and renew. Depending on how long it has been expired, the path back may involve a reentry process or retesting.
What to Look for in a CAPCE Accredited Provider
- Current accreditation status. Accreditation must be active, not simply claimed. Confirm on the CAPCE website.
- Course format options.
You can use the CAPCE site to find accredited educational providers and courses, including online courses, live courses, and Virtual Instructor Led Training Refresher Classes.
Choose the format that fits your schedule. - Attendance verification and certificates.
Self-paced, on-demand CE that meets NREMT requirements should provide immediate 24/7 access, instant course completion certificates, and attendance verification to meet state and NREMT guidelines. - Medical direction.
CAPCE requires providers to submit a current agreement with physician medical director(s) to provide direction to the EMS and the CAPCE program committee.
This requirement helps ensure clinical content is vetted by practicing physicians. - Accepted by your state.
Continuing education requirements are subject to change and may vary from state to state, so licensees are ultimately responsible for being up to date with CE requirements in each state where they are licensed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CAPCE accredited CE automatically satisfy my state recertification requirements?
CAPCE approved courses meet national standards and are accepted by most state EMS agencies and by the National Registry of EMTs,
but “most” is not “all.” A small number of states have additional or different requirements. Always check your state EMS office directly before assuming full coverage. Use the NREMT state EMS offices directory to find your state’s contact information.
Can I complete all my CAPCE accredited CE hours online?
Education can be gathered through online or in-person courses. As of 2022, there are no limits on how much online education you can use on your NREMT application.
State requirements may differ, however, so confirm whether your state mandates any in-person or skills-based hours before going fully online.
What happens if I take CE from a provider that is not CAPCE accredited?
The NREMT accepts state EMS office-accepted and CAPCE accredited education, and all education must be directly related to EMS patient care.
CE from a provider that holds neither CAPCE accreditation nor state approval will not count toward your NREMT recertification and may not count toward state renewal either, leaving you with a gap you will need to fill before your deadline.
Start Your CAPCE Accredited CE Today
CE Solutions has provided CAPCE accredited EMS continuing education to EMRs, EMTs, AEMTs, Paramedics, and Fire professionals since 1997. All courses include attendance verification and completion certificates accepted by NREMT and state EMS agencies. Create a free account to browse available packages, confirm your state’s requirements, and get started on your CE hours today.
