How to Become an EMT in Arkansas (2026)

Q: How long does emt training take in Arkansas?

Most people become an EMT in Arkansas through a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months), the NREMT exam, and state or local EMT certification.

Q: How much do EMTs earn in Arkansas?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), EMTs in Arkansas earned a median annual wage of approximately $36,230. Employment concentration in Arkansas is roughly 0.74 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: Do EMTs need a license in Arkansas?

Yes. Arkansas requires state-level licensing or registration for EMTs, administered by the Arkansas Department of Health - State Board of Health. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

Q: What is the job outlook for EMTs in Arkansas?

Arkansas currently employs approximately 1,120 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arkansas emergency medical technicians earn a median annual wage of $36,230 ($17.42/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,120 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -18.5% below the national median of $44,470 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $36,230 ($17.42/hr)
25th percentile: $31,840 per year
75th percentile: $41,670 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $49,910 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $28,370 per year
Workers employed in Arkansas: 1,120
Versus national median: -18.5% below the U.S. median of $44,470
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.74 - this occupation is less concentrated in Arkansas than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

Arkansas employs about 1,120 EMTs earning a median $36,230 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an EMT here means completing a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months), the NREMT exam, and state or local EMT certification, then applying through Arkansas Department of Health - State Board of Health.

Arkansas employs approximately 1,120 EMTs according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $36,230 ¹. Nationally, emt employment is projected to grow 5.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,100 openings per year ². This page covers how to become an EMT in Arkansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: state-approved EMT course at a community college, fire academy, or EMS training program (find programs)
Typical timeline: a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months), the NREMT exam, and state or local EMT certification
Licensing authority: Arkansas Department of Health - State Board of Health
Licensing authority: Arkansas Department of Health - State Board of Health
Exam: NREMT (most states)
Median wage (Arkansas): $36,230 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become an EMT in Arkansas

How to become an EMT in Arkansas? Complete a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months), the NREMT exam, and state or local EMT certification. Apply through Arkansas Department of Health - State Board of Health. See the NREMT ³ for the national exam.

How long does it take? Most people finish a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months), the NREMT exam, and state or local EMT certification. Confirm current hour totals with the training program and Arkansas Department of Health - State Board of Health.

Do I need a license in Arkansas? Yes. Arkansas certifies EMTs through Arkansas Department of Health - State Board of Health ⁴. You also pass the NREMT exam in most states. See the licensing section below.

What do EMTs earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for EMTs in Arkansas is $36,230 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,370 and experienced professionals can earn $49,910 or more ¹.

How to Become an EMT in Arkansas

Meet basic requirements. Most Arkansas EMT courses require you to be 18 (some allow 16 or 17 to train), hold a high school diploma or GED, and hold current CPR or BLS. Confirm the current age and health-screening rules with the training program.
Complete a state-approved EMT course. Finish a state-approved EMT course in Arkansas. Courses are usually a few months at a community college, fire academy, or EMS training program, with classroom hours plus skills labs and clinical time. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Pass the NREMT exam. Pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians EMT exam. Most states use NREMT as the cognitive test; some still require a psychomotor exam. See the NREMT ³.
Get your Arkansas EMT certification. Apply through Arkansas Department of Health - State Board of Health. Some states also issue a local EMS agency card on top of the state credential. You cannot practice as an EMT until that certification is current.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

EMT License Requirements in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Health - State Board of Health oversees EMS certification in Arkansas ⁴. Most candidates also take the NREMT exam ³.

Typical EMT path

Meet age, diploma or GED, and CPR requirements.
Complete a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months).
Pass the NREMT EMT exam.
Apply for Arkansas EMT certification (and a local EMS agency card if the state uses one).

EMT is the entry credential. Advanced EMT and paramedic are later rungs on the same ladder, not the first license to chase.

Hour totals, background checks, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Arkansas EMS office before you enroll.

EMT Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

Emergency Medical Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), emergency medical technicians wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Memphis	860	$38,620	$40,770	$29,310	$53,200
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway	240	$37,530	$38,360	$31,850	$47,500
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers	110	$41,670	$41,440	$36,670	$48,240
Hot Springs	80	$34,830	$37,890	$29,300	$45,670
Jonesboro	60	$34,680	$37,080	$29,350	$53,070

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for EMTs in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 1,120 EMTs ¹. Nationally, emt employment is projected to grow 5.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as an emt in Arkansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Arkansas Department of Health - State Board of Health for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Arkansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Arkansas.

How much do EMTs earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for EMTs in Arkansas is $36,230, which is $5,110 below the national median of $41,340 according to BLS data ¹.

In Arkansas

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NREMT - National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians: https://www.nremt.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Arkansas Department of Health - State Board of Health - Licensing Information: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/emergency-medical-services ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)