Emergency Medical Technicians 

provide out of hospital emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical services (EMS) system. EMTs have the basic knowledge and skills necessary to stabilize and safely transport patients ranging from non-emergency and routine medical transports to life threatening emergencies. Emergency Medical Technicians function as part of a comprehensive EMS response system, under medical oversight. Emergency Medical Technicians perform interventions with the basic equipment typically found on an ambulance. Emergency Medical Technicians are a critical link between the scene of an emergency and the health care system. [From the: National EMS Scope of Practice Model]

To become an EMT in the State of California, you will need to successfully complete:

• an approved EMT training program   

• Pass the National Registry (NREMT) cognitive + psychomotor examinations

• Apply for certification at a local EMS agency

Finding the Right Training Program

One size does NOT fit all with this program. There are a variety of training programs available with variable duration and intensity. Depending on your schedule, find the right fit so you can best learn the material.

Duration

• 5 week
• 10 week
• Quarter
• Semester

I was able to focus on my program full-time, and opted for a 5 week program so I could get to work faster. However I know people that opt for longer programs if they dedicate more time to work, study, or family.

Culture Fit

I know I know I hate that phrase too. But HOW do YOU learn best? At a local college, a small business, in tandem with your fire academy? WHO will be teaching you? What are their backgrounds? Will they help you find a job after “graduation”?

These are all questions you should be thinking about before trusting an agency with your career kickstart/change.

Material

Having a background as both a teacher and a student, I want to impress:

Don’t do the minimum studying to pass tests,

study to be the best healthcare professional you can in the near future.

Also,

Emergency Medical Service is a unique profession of equal parts didactic* and manual skills. Take both seriously.

*written, theory

Be prepared for in-class: material, quizzes, + tests as well as active skills hours where you practice with equipment and other students (160 hours total). Lastly you will have ‘ride alongs’ with local EMS providers in an ambulance with real patients (24 hours total).

NREMT

Congrats on successfully passing your training program! It’s time to prove that you can cut it with the national standards of an Emergency Medical Technician. A ‘pass’ on this exam will certify you to practice in your state (for the purposes of this post, California).

Individuals applying for the Emergency Medical Technician national certification must meet the following requirements:

1. 18 years of age or older

2. Successful completion of a state-approved Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course

   • Candidates must have completed the course within the past 2 years + the course Program Director must verify successful course completion on the National Registry website.

3. Have a current CPR-BLS for “Healthcare Provider” or equivalent credential.

4. Successful completion of the National Registry cognitive (knowledge) + a state approved psychomotor (skills) exams.

   • Passed portions of each exam (cognitive and psychomotor) remain valid for twelve (12) months.

Studying

Use the information and themes from your course + look for study resources online. Schedule your exam date close to the end of your program so the material is fresh in your mind.

Application Process

• Create an account/login profile on the NREMT website.
• Submit a National Registry application + answer all questions truthfully.
• The National Registry may deny certifications or take other appropriate actions in regards to applicants for certification or recertification when a criminal conviction has occurred.
• Pay the application fee of $80 (US funds). The application fee is non-transferable and non-refundable. This fee is charged for each attempt of the cognitive examination.
• Candidates will receive an electronic Authorization to Test (ATT) once you are eligible for the exam. The electronic ATT contains scheduling instructions and important details concerning proper identification required at testing centers. You can find the ATT in the ‘Check Application Status’ page.

The Testing Process

It is a computerized, adaptive exam consisting of 70-120 questions and a max test time of 2 hrs. The nature of the exam is that it will adapt to how well you demonstrate knowledge of each topic.

I remember my exam oscillating through topics from easy to hard questions and closing out. I finished early and was scared. It’s very sterile to see an ‘end of exam’ screen. However, I passed no problem.

Take your Time

Read each question carefully. The exam is constructed so most people will have plenty of time to finish. Most successful candidates spend about 30 – 60 seconds per item reading each question carefully and thinking it through. Less than 1% of the candidates are unable to finish the exam. Your risk of misreading a question is far greater than your risk of running out of time.

Pilot Questions

There will be 10 ‘pilot questions’ that do not count towards or against your score. However they help write the new exam.

Certification at your Local Agency

Once you have received your EMT National Registry certificate, you may contact a local EMS agency to apply for EMT certification in California.  Once you have passed the background check and met all requirements provided to you from the certifying entity, you will be assigned an EMT number from the State Central Registry and your EMT card will be issued. Until this process is complete, you may not work as an EMT in the State of California.

I recommend applying in the county you wish to work in.

Find a Job

Once you are certified, you can look for a job and complete the process of getting an initial EMS badge. Your employer as well as the local agency will guide you through their process.

I completed a little more paperwork and an exam on local protocols.

Remember the ‘culture fit’ questions I mentioned earlier with programs. 

Best of luck with your journey in EMS!

Anne