Paramedic CE Hours Required 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

For Nationally Registered Paramedics, the CE hours required in 2026 follow the NCCP model: 60 total hours per two-year cycle, split across a 30-hour national component, a 15-hour local/state component, and a 15-hour individual component. State-licensed paramedics who do not hold NREMT certification may face different hour totals set by their state EMS office. Always verify both sets of requirements before you begin your coursework.

Understanding the Two Layers of Paramedic CE Requirements

Paramedics typically operate under two overlapping sets of requirements: the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) and their state EMS licensing authority. These are not always the same, and meeting one does not automatically satisfy the other.

NREMT Requirements Under the NCCP

Nationally Registered Paramedics are required to renew their certification every two years, and can recertify by either taking the Paramedic Certification Examination or by completing continuing education.
The CE pathway is by far the more common route.

The Paramedic National Continued Competency Program (NCCP) requires a total of 60 credits of continuing education to recertify. The model requires continuing education in three components: a national component, a local/state component, and an individual component.

The hour breakdown for each component is as follows:

National Component: 30 hours, covering
airway (6 hours), cardiology (7 hours), trauma (5 hours), medical (8 hours), and operations (4 hours), with at least 3 hours addressing pediatric content.
Local/State Component: 15 hours,
which may include education required by the state, region, or local EMS agency.
Individual Component: 15 hours, which are flexible and may consist of any qualifying EMS education directly related to patient care.

You can verify these requirements directly on the NREMT Paramedic Recertification page.

State Licensing Requirements May Differ

Even if you are NREMT certified, your state may have additional requirements. Some states require extra CE hours, specific courses, or skills verification, while others may follow the NREMT model closely.
A few examples worth noting:

California: State-licensed paramedics need 48 CE hours per two-year cycle, with at least 50% of those hours delivered by an instructor. See our full breakdown of California EMS recertification requirements.
Georgia:
Paramedics must complete a total of 40 hours of state- or CAPCE-approved EMS continuing education credits for licenses expiring on or before 3/31/2028, including 8 hours of pediatric topics, 4 hours of cardiovascular topics, and 4 hours of trauma topics.
Wisconsin:
Paramedics may complete a 60-hour paramedic refresher course based on the Wisconsin Paramedic curriculum, or 60 hours of continuing education that covers the subject areas identified by DHS.

Browse our requirements by state pages or check your state EMS office directly for the most current figures. The NREMT also recommends that you
reference the specific license renewal requirements for every state in which you are licensed to practice.

What Counts as Acceptable CE for Paramedic Recertification

Education used for National Registry recertification must meet National Registry requirements and be directly related to EMS patient care. Accepted sources include education recognized by a U.S. State EMS Office or Designated Authorizing Agency, CAPCE-accredited education, and other education accepted under National Registry policies, including certain academic and alternative recertification credits.

CAPCE is an accrediting body charged with the review and accreditation of EMS continuing education. CAPCE accreditation exists so that EMS providers have access to high-quality, standard-driven continuing education activities and are awarded credit for participating in such activities.
You can confirm accredited providers through the CAPCE official directory.

Additional accepted formats include:

CAPCE-accredited distributive (online) education and live courses, as well as state EMS office-approved CE, agency in-service training, and QI education.
College coursework in a relevant subject area, converted per NREMT policy.
Certain certifications such as ACLS, PALS, PHTLS, ITLS, and AMLS can apply toward specific topic hours.

When you shop for paramedic continuing education courses online, always confirm that the provider is listed on the CAPCE website as an accredited organization. A provider claiming CAPCE approval without appearing in that directory is a red flag.

Can You Complete All 60 Hours Online?

A Nationally Registered Paramedic using the continuing education pathway needs 60 credits. The National Registry permanently removed limits on distributive education, meaning qualifying online education can be used for the entire continuing education requirement, provided the courses otherwise meet National Registry recertification requirements.

This is a significant change from earlier NCCP cycles and makes it practical for working paramedics to complete every required hour through online coursework. Note that some states still impose their own restrictions on online CE percentages, such as California’s 50% instructor-based rule, so check your state requirements separately.

Step-by-Step: How to Meet Your Paramedic CE Hours in 2026

Confirm your deadlines.
National certification is valid for two years and expires March 31 of your expiration year.
Your state license may have a different expiration date entirely.
Check both NREMT and state requirements. Pull up the NREMT Paramedic Recertification page and your state EMS office website. Write down the hour totals and any required topic mandates for each.
Plan your coursework by component. Map your 30 national hours first, since those have the most specific topic requirements (airway, cardiology, trauma, medical, operations). Then slot local/state hours, then individual hours.
Choose CAPCE-accredited courses.
Choosing CAPCE-accredited courses is the most reliable way for paramedics to satisfy both NREMT and state recertification requirements from a single source.
Browse the full CE Solutions paramedic course catalog to find courses that map to each NCCP component.
Track your hours as you go. Keep completion certificates organized by component. Do not wait until the last month to audit your totals.
Verify CPR and medical director sign-off.
You must hold a current state license and current CPR/BLS at the professional level.For AEMTs and Paramedics, your Medical Director must approve the skills verification.
Submit your NREMT recertification application.
You must submit your application no later than midnight on the day your certification expires. Missing this deadline can result in lapsed certification and additional steps to reinstate.Submit your application electronically through your account at nremt.org.
Retain your documentation.
Keep all recertification supporting documentation for at least three years. The National Registry is required to conduct random audits of applications.

What Happens If Your NREMT Certification Lapses

NREMT allows recertification by taking and passing the cognitive exam for your level instead of submitting CE, which is useful if your CE records are incomplete. You still need a current state license and CPR card. Providers who have been out of active practice often find the exam route faster than reconstructing two years of certificates.

A lapsed certification means you are no longer nationally registered. The reinstatement process varies by level and by how long the certification has been expired. For paramedics, reinstatement may require completing an accredited re-entry pathway.
Check the NREMT recertification resource page for current reinstatement procedures.

For more on NREMT recertification strategy across all certification levels, see our detailed guide on NREMT recertification at CE Solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many CE hours does a paramedic need every two years for NREMT recertification?

The Paramedic NCCP requires a total of 60 credits of continuing education to recertify.
Those 60 hours are divided into 30 national hours, 15 local/state hours, and 15 individual hours. State licensing requirements may differ, so confirm with your state EMS office as well.

Do all 60 paramedic CE hours need to be completed in person?

No.
A paramedic can complete all 60 continuing education credits online, provided that the education otherwise meets National Registry requirements, such as being CAPCE-accredited, accepted by a State EMS Office, or qualifying through another accepted education pathway.
Check your state’s rules separately, as some states cap online hours.

What if my state requires fewer or more CE hours than NREMT?

You must meet the higher of the two requirements. If your state requires more total hours or adds mandatory topics beyond the NCCP model, you must satisfy those as well. If your state requires fewer hours than NREMT, you still need 60 hours to maintain your National Registry credential. Always plan around whichever bar is higher.

Ready to get your hours done? Create a free CE Solutions account to access CAPCE-accredited paramedic CE courses organized by NCCP component, complete coursework at your own pace, and download your certificates the moment you finish.

Paramedic CE Hours Required in 2026: A Step-by-Step How-To Guide