5 Steps To Become an EMT: How To Get Certified

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are professionals who provide emergency medical care outside of hospital settings.

They also provide transportation for patients experiencing emergencies or are in critical condition who access the emergency medical services (EMS) system.

If you're interested in becoming an EMT, it's important to understand the steps required to get certified and gain employment. Keep reading to learn what it takes to become an EMT.

What Is an EMT?

EMTs have an exciting and rewarding career that involves assisting patients who experience emergencies and non-emergencies onsite and during transport.

What Does an EMT Do?

Individuals who work as EMTs have various duties and responsibilities.

• Assess patients' conditions.
• Provide basic care for patients at the scene of an incident.
• Manage emergencies related to trauma, respiratory, and cardiac incidents.
• Ensure patients are safely transported to a medical facility by ambulance and cared for along the way.

EMTs must know how to stabilize patients experiencing non-emergencies as well as life-threatening emergencies and perform interventions with equipment found in an ambulance.

Where Do EMTs Work?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2022 EMTs held just over 170,000 jobs with the largest group (46%) working for ambulance services.

About 26% of EMTs worked for local government agencies � excluding education and hospitals � and about 15% worked in private medical and surgical hospitals.

Most of the remaining EMTs worked in local general medical and surgical hospitals and outpatient care centers.

As for work conditions, it's common for EMTs to work indoors and outdoors and perform under physically stressful conditions with lots of bending, kneeling, and lifting.

EMTs usually work full-time schedules and may have to take long 12, 18, or 24-hour shifts on weekends, nights, or holidays.

What's the Difference Between an EMT and a Paramedic?

Like EMTs, paramedics provide medical assistance and transportation to patients who experience emergencies and are in need of critical care.

So what makes EMTs different from paramedics?

Paramedics generally offer more extensive prehospital care like delivering medications intravenously, providing advanced airflow management, and deciphering electrocardiograms (EKGs).

EMT experience is typically required before entering a paramedic education program.

Step 1: Meet EMT Schooling Entry Demands

Once you've decided that becoming an EMT is right for you, it's time to begin meeting the demands of EMT schooling.

Earn a High School Diploma or Equivalent

Typically, the first step in becoming an EMT is earning a high school diploma or the equivalent like a GED.

It's recommended that high school students who are interested in becoming EMTs take life science courses to get a head start on prerequisites for an EMT education program.

Depending on the high school, a student might be able to take part in EMT training through an integrated vocational program.

Secure CPR-BLS Certification

An EMT must earn a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - basic life support (BLS) certification for 'Healthcare Provider' or equivalent credential.

This can often be accomplished within an EMT education program. If your program doesn't include CPR-BLS certification, you'll want to get it on your own as soon as possible.

Meet Other Requirements

States have varying requirements when it comes to vaccines, age limits, and more.

For instance, while there is no minimum age requirement to test for National Certification, states like Illinois require individuals to be at least 18 years old.

To make sure you meet all requirements prior to applying to an EMT education program, reach out to your state or city health department for information.

Step 2: Complete an Accredited EMT Program in Your State

Once you've determined all requirements for EMT schooling, you'll want to enroll in and complete an accredited postsecondary EMT program in your state.

It's common to find EMT training programs in colleges, universities, community colleges, vocational schools, or facilities specializing in emergency care training.

Types of EMT Training Programs

Programs commonly prepare students to earn certifications like EMT-Basic (EMT-B) and EMT-Intermediate (EMT-I).

EMT-B programs teach how to handle emergencies, use equipment, and assess conditions, while EMT-I programs cover advanced topics like using complex airway devices and managing intravenous fluids.

Depending on your state of residence, you might be able to find programs for other EMT certifications like Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) or EMT Intravenous (IV) certification.

How Long Is EMT School?

EMT programs often vary in length depending on the certification you desire.

An EMT-B program might take only a few months or up to one year to complete. The more complex EMT-I program could take up to two years to finish.

Step 3: Pass National Registry EMT Certification Exams

Once you've completed your EMT training program and become CPR-BLS certified, you're ready for EMT certification.

This is handled by completing the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) EMT cognitive (knowledge) examination and a state-approved psychomotor (skills) examination.

Cognitive Exam

The cognitive exam covers content areas that include:

• trauma
• airway, respiration, and ventilation
• cardiology & resuscitation
• EMS operations
• medical/obstetrics/gynecology

Psychomotor Exam

The psychomotor exam, taken at state offices, tests one's ability to perform physical responsibilities like patient assessment, bag-valve-mask ventilation, cardiac arrest management, and more.

Step 4: Get Licensed as an EMT in Your State

After passing your exams and becoming certified as an EMT, you'll need to get licensed to work as an EMT in your state.

To secure a state license to work as an EMT, your state might require you to show proof of current certification with the NREMT or passage of equivalent certification exams.

You might also have to show that you meet your state's minimum age requirement (if applicable) and pass a background check.

To find out exactly what steps must be taken to become a licensed EMT in your state, contact your local health department for details.

Step 5: Start Your Career as an EMT

After you've taken all of the steps to become an EMT, you're ready to begin your job search. A great place to look for EMT roles is via online career sites and your local government.

Job Outlook for EMTs

According to the BLS, the job outlook for EMTs and paramedics looks great.

From 2022 to 2032, the employment of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow by 5%. This is faster than average for all occupations.

More than 18,000 openings are expected for these roles each year largely due to the need for replacement workers and the expectation of emergencies that require EMT and paramedic skills.

EMT Recertification, Continuing Education, and Examination

Nationally registered EMTs must renew their certification every two years. This can be completed by recertifying via the cognitive exam or continuing education.

Recertification via Continuing Education

To recertify via continuing education, you must complete a total of 40 hours of continuing education in three components: National, State, and Individual.

The National component consists of 20 hours of education in these areas: trauma, medical, operations, cardiovascular, and airway/respiration/ventilation.

The State/Local component consists of 10 hours of state-determined education, and the Individual component consists of 10 hours of education you choose that is focused on EMS patient care.

Recertification via Examination

Recertifying by examination gives EMTs a chance to showcase cognitive competency without keeping track of continuing education hours.

EMTs are given one chance to take and pass the exam over a period of one year prior to their current expiration date up to their certification date of expiration.

Before selecting the manner in which you will recertify, be sure to check your state to ensure your recertification process aligns with license renewal requirements.

Take Steps to Become an EMT Today

Don't wait any longer to jumpstart your career as an EMT. Find the right EMT training program, get certified, secure licensure in your state, and fulfill your goal of making a difference in the lives of others.