Where Can I Earn My IV Certification in Colorado?

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) both require coursework in intravenous therapy as both types of medical professionals are required to draw blood.

What You Need to Know

Intravenous therapy (IV) involves drawing blood. Professional IV therapy certifications might be earned at 2-year community colleges and technical schools. Topics such as fluid therapy, central line management and IV techniques and procedures are explored. The programs featured below are worth between two and five credits. They are open to LPNs as well as to EMT-Basic professionals and they consist of lectures as well as laboratory and clinical components.

Schools in Colorado with IV Certification Courses for EMTs

Arapahoe Community College

Arapahoe Community College has campuses in Littleton, Castle Rock and Parker. The EMT IV therapy course for EMTs covers fluid and electrolyte balance, IV techniques, IV procedures and treatment for shock. The school also offers enhanced EMT and paramedic certificate programs, as well as an associate degree program in paramedicine.

• Program Name: EMT Intravenous Therapy
• Program Length: 2 credits
• Tuition and Fees: Colorado residents pay $3,918 per year, non-residents pay $15,006 per year (for 2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: EMT-Basic certification, proof of hepatitis B vaccinations, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification
• School Type: 2-year, public; approximately 11,544 undergraduate students

Delta-Montrose Technical College

Delta Montrose Technical College is located about 250 miles west of Colorado Springs. This course teaches you how to use the medications that Colorado legally allows basic-level EMTs to administer. You'll need to complete 10 live IV starts to pass the course. In addition, the program requires written tests and practical skills tests.

• Program Name: Intravenous Therapy for the EMT-Basic
• Program Length: 2 credits
• Tuition and Fees: Specific costs for course unavailable
• Admission Requirements: EMT-Basic certification, Health Care Provider CPR card, agency recommendation letter, immunization documentation, medical director letter, Tests of Adult Basic Education score
• School Type: < 2-year, public; approximately 400 undergraduate students

Pueblo Community College

Pueblo Community College (PCC) is located about 45 miles south of Colorado Springs. The EMT-Basic IV course covers phlebotomy, IV administration and fluid therapy. The school also offers first responder and EMT-Intermediate certificate programs.

• Program Name: EMT-Basic IV
• Program Length: 2 credits
• Tuition and Fees: Colorado residents pay $5,179 per year, non-residents pay $16,262 per year (for 2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: EMT-Basic certification, immunization documentation, background check, drug screen, 17 years old (those under 17 may be admitted under special conditions), proof of U.S. residency if you are a new student over 18 years old applying for a public benefit
• School Type: 2-year, public; approximately 6,197 undergraduate students

Schools in Colorado with IV Certification Courses for LPNs

Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University is located about 250 miles west of Denver, near the Utah border. Through the school's extended studies program, you can take a board-approved IV therapy course for LPNs. This course includes instruction on limited central line IV management.

• Program Name: IV Therapy
• Program Length: 2 credits
• Tuition and Fees: Colorado residents pay $8,627 per year, non-residents pay $20,944 per year (for 2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: LPN certification
• School Type: 4-year, public; approximately 9,365 undergraduate and 127 graduate students

Delta-Montrose Technical College

This course teaches LPNs how to administer IV therapy and withdraw blood. You'll participate in lectures, labs and clinical experiences. This course meets Colorado's IV authorization requirements for nurses.

• Program Name: IV Therapy for the Practical Nurse
• Program Length: 2 credits
• Tuition and Fees: Specific costs for course unavailable
• Admission Requirements: LPN certification, Tests of Adult Basic Education score
• School Type: < 2-year, public; approximately 400 undergraduate students

Pueblo Community College

PCC's Health and Public Safety Division offers more than 16 health care and public safety certificate and associate degree programs. In the IV therapy course for LPNs, you'll use state-of-the-art equipment while learning about IV blood withdrawal and IV therapy procedures. You'll learn your skills through lectures, clinical experience and laboratory work. This course meets the IV certification requirements of the Colorado State Board of Nursing.

• Program Name: IV Therapy for LPNs
• Program Length: 5 credits
• Tuition and Fees: Colorado residents pay $5,179 per year, non-residents pay $16,262 per year (for 2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: LPN certification, 17 years old (those under 17 may be admitted under special conditions), proof of U.S. residency if you are a new student over 18 years old applying for a public benefit
• School Type: 2-year, public; approximately 6,197 undergraduate students

To summarize, both EMTs and LPNs require IV therapy courses and certification. EMTs in Colorado can find their IV training through Arapahoe Community College, Delta-Montrose Technical College and Pueblo Community College; LPNs can find programs at Delta-Montrose Technical College, Pueblo Community College and Colorado Mesa University.