The National Registry Exam otherwise known as the EMT-Basic exam is a standardized test designed to measure the competence of the prospective EMT-Basic. The exam is written and designed by a committee made up of EMS providers and other health and educational personnel; test scores are constantly monitored to assure accuracy and fairness.

The EMT-Basic test lasts two and one-half hours long and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, many of which are scenario-based.  There are six broad subject areas to the test with the following average number of questions:

• Patient Assessment (24–30)
• Airway (24–30)
• Circulation (22–28)
• Musculoskeletal. Behavioral, Neurological, and Environmental (21–27)
• Pediatrics and Obstetrics/Gynecology (19–25)
• EMS Systems, Ethics, Legal Issues, Communications, Documentation, Safety, Triage, and Transportation (21–27)