Requirements to Become an EMT

EMT training and paramedic training is offered at many types of learning institutions, including universities and community colleges, technical schools, and emergency medical service academies. According to U.S. News, the top colleges that offer EMT and paramedic training programs include Drexel University, Drury University, and the University of Maryland at Baltimore County. Having a postsecondary degree, while not necessarily required to become an EMT, may help a candidate's job prospects in the extremely competitive job market for emergency medical service jobs, additionally it may increase the paramedic's salary and the paramedic's pay. In the tight job market of recent years, having a postsecondary degree is an especially valuable credential for a prospective EMT or paramedic when seeking employment in the field, as it significantly increases one’s chances of being hired. Having a postsecondary degree also potentially improves an EMT’s likelihood of being promoted while employed.

Some states do, however, require a college degree in order to work as an EMT or any other kind of emergency medical service personnel. The state of Washington, for instance, requires that all EMTs and other emergency medical service personnel earn at the bare minimum a two-year college degree in order to work in the field.

Due to the need for top-notch emergency medical personnel and paramedics on the job, the reputation for quality (or lack thereof) of a candidate’s training program can make or break one’s job prospects as an EMT. When looking for an EMT training program to sign up for, it is important for prospective EMTs to conduct in-depth research with respect to the quality of the EMT training program(s) that interest them prior to signing up for one.

The most effective means of determining the quality of a particular EMT or other emergency medical service training program is to consult the emergency medical service personnel themselves who are already employed. As seasoned “insiders” in the field of emergency medical services, EMTs that are employed and actively working are a valuable resource for information since they are very familiar with the ins and outs of training and work in the field, and are more than happy to help other individuals aspiring to become emergency medical personnel. Plus, they know what it takes to get hired in their competitive field of work.

There are a number of possible questions that a prospective EMT may want to ask an individual who is actively employed and experienced in the field of emergency medical service, given the opportunity to do so. At what emergency medical service institution did the individual train to become an EMT? Which emergency medical service training institutions have the best reputation for offering trainees a quality learning and training experience among employers and/or EMTs themselves? Which emergency medical service training institutions should be avoided at all costs, and why? What is the average paramedic salary? What do EMTs in salary make compared to a paramedic's salary? What are the characteristics of an effective EMT/paramedic training program, and why are these characteristics important? What, in turn, are the characteristics of effective EMTs and other emergency medical service personnel, and why?