Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Course Description
This course highlights the basic knowledge and skills necessary for individuals who wish to obtain state or national certification as an emergency medical technician (EMT). The course adheres to the 2019 National EMS Education Standards, which are based on the National EMS Core Content and the National EMS Scope of Practice that define the minimal entry-level educational competencies for each level of EMS training. We offer this course either fully in person or as a self-paced online option with required in person lab/skills dates.
Course Overview
The in-person course consists of 178 hours of classroom time that includes hands-on skills training sessions. The student is also required to complete two 12-hour shifts in the prehospital setting where they will ride-along with an ambulance crew.
The online course is a self-directed, interactive, distance-learning course that consists of 122 hours of online and virtual instructor led learning, 56 hours of in person lab/skills time, and two 12-hour shifts in the prehospital setting where they will ride-along with an ambulance crew.
Students who successfully complete this program are eligible to take the National Registry of EMTs cognitive exam which is a computer adaptive test (CAT).
Course Registration and Application Process
You can register and pay for this course online. Enrollment into the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course is a two-step process. Step 1 includes registering and making the minimum payment. Step 2 includes completion and submission of the application and required documentation that is emailed to you once you register. A complete application must be submitted prior to attending the course. When the applicant completes both of these steps and meets the minimum requirements, they are considered accepted and enrolled in the program. Download a sample application here.
A maximum of 32 students will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
- Describe the essential elements for the safe and efficient response to the scene of a medical emergency
- Perform a thorough patient assessment for signs and symptoms of illnesses and injuries
- Provide prompt and efficient basic emergency care to the sick and injured
- Safely handle and prepare the patient for transportation
- Describe the essential elements of safe and orderly transportation of the patient to the hospital and the transfer of patient care to the appropriate hospital staff
Required Hours
All class sessions are required to attend for both the in-person and the online EMT program. There is a maximum of 8 hours of class that can be missed for any reason so make sure you are free on the dates class is scheduled.
Eligibility Requirements
Participants must:
- Be 17 years of age on the first day of class (Washington state licensure requires candidate to be 18 years of age at time of application) and 18 years of age to attend field internship.
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent (a variance may be requested if still in high school).
- Be physically capable of performing the essential duties of an EMT.
- Hold a current CPR course completion card at the American Heart Association BLS level. (This certification is obtained during the in person program as part of the curriculum. Online students may sign up for a BLS skills check prior to the first day of in-person skills. Using this link.
- Have complete immunization records (or titer results) to include but not limited to:
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Rubeola
- Tdap within the past 10 years
- Varicella
- TB test results (results must be within the immediate past year)
- *Hepatitis B Series, if not completed, documentation of starting the series
- *Covid-19
- *Seasonal Flu Vaccination Proof of immunization records are required as a contractual obligation with our affiliated clinical and internship sites.
*Declinations and/or exemptions are only allowed for immunizations with an asterisk * by it. However, they may not be accepted by all agencies.
Course Tuition
Total cost of the program is $1644. Tuition is $1,219 plus $325 for the textbook and $100 lab fee. The minimum payment needed to register is $548, and the total cost must be paid before the end of the course. Book and Lab fees are non-refundable. Fees are subject to change.
The in-person EMT course is eligible for veterans to use their GI Bill® to cover the cost of the program.
Testing and Certification
Upon successful completion of the course, students will take the practical skills examination that is recognized by the Washington State Department of Health, EMS Education and Training Section. Students will receive a certificate of completion upon successful completion of the practical exam and will then be allowed to take the National Registry of EMTs cognitive computer adaptive test (CAT).
To register with the National Registry of EMTs visit nremt.org.
View the Washington State Department of Health's EMT Certification Requirements.