Have you heard? Some important changes are coming to the BLS examinations starting April 7, 2025. Here is what you need to know. 

Firstly, which provider levels are included in the BLS examinations? Great question. The following discussion concerns those taking their initial exam to attain EMR or EMT certification. This does NOT affect those who have already attained certification and are looking to recertify¹. 

Secondly, you may be curious about what exactly these changes entail. Allow us to elaborate! The changes are largely to some of the styles of questions, as well as how the questions will be asked. This may sound more daunting than it is. Historically, questions were written under the following 5 categories or domains¹:

1. Airway, Respirations, and Ventilation 
2. Cardiology and Resuscitation 
3. Trauma 
4. Medical, Obstetrics, and Gynecology 
5. Operations
   
   

The NREMT has adjusted these domains to now be:

1. Scene Size-Up and Safety
2. Primary Assessment
3. Secondary Assessment
4. Patient Treatment and Transport
5. Operations
   
   

A valid follow-up question to this is, “Why the change?” The answer is quite simple. After extensive research, based on the “2023 BLS Practice Analysis,” it was found that there is a better way to ensure BLS providers not only know the information learned in their respective programs but can use their critical thinking skills to apply that information to patient care. So, to put it simply, there are no additional expectations in knowledge; this is simply a better way to evaluate that knowledge to ensure the provider is adequately equipped to provide care in the field¹. 

A key point we want to emphasize regarding these changes is that the questions themselves will change, but so will the style in which they are asked. Again, after extensive research and testing, the NREMT is introducing TEIs, or Technology Enhanced Items, to the NREMT examination. There are three styles of TEIs the candidate should expect to see on their exam in addition to the standard multiple choice (i.g. A-D with one correct answer) and multiple response (i.g. A-E or A-F with 2-3 correct answer options and 3 incorrect answer options, where all correct options must be selected to receive full credit) questions, which will still exist on the new exam. The new items now included are¹:

1. Build list - the candidate must put answer options in the correct order
2. Drag-and-Drop - the candidate must properly categorize the provided items
3. Option/Check Box - the candidate must properly select or classify items according to the information provided

The intent of these changes is not to complicate the exam further. In fact, the NREMT does not anticipate these changes will make the test harder, only evaluating the candidate more effectively. It is also important to note there will be no change to the cost of each examination compared to the 2024 testing year. The EMR exam is still $88, and the EMT exam is still $104. There will also be no change to the time limit, the number of questions on each exam, or the allowed attempts per exam, and the BLS candidate will still have to pass a psychomotor exam per their state’s requirements¹.

Finally, note that the final day for a candidate to take the BLS certification exam in its current format is April 4, 2025. As previously noted, this change will officially be enacted on April 7, 2025¹. 

Alright. You have all the information about the exam. But how do you study for these changes? Great news! EMTprep.com has you covered. We have remained in the loop on these upcoming changes and are regularly adding new TEIs to our bank so you can be fully prepared for your upcoming examination! Head to EMTprep.com and check out our extensive study materials, including videos, interactive exercises, flashcards, and questions today!

If you have further questions regarding the exam, check out the information provided by the NREMT here. Or check out the NAEMSE Webinar BLS New Examination Blueprint Launch on January 23, 2025.