Last Updated on January 17, 2023
How long does it take to become an EMT? That’s a question that both prospective and current EMTs ask me. The process can seem a lot more complicated than you might think â there are several steps beyond just getting the training. In Florida, according to the state requirements, you have to be at least 19 years old and pass a background check. I passed all those hurdles (read: met the requirements, not hurdles like jumping over themđ and became a Certified Emergency Medical Technician in 2015.
Becoming an EMT can be a quick process if you know how to apply. In this article, you will learn the time frame, training records, and requirements necessary to obtain your EMT certification in Florida.
Becoming an EMT in Florida is a two step process that involves first completing training, and then passing the state certification exams. This article will provide helpful tips and inform you of the skills to be expected from EMTs in the state of Florida.
The Florida Department of Health has outlined “minimum standards and requirements” for the certification of Emergency Medical Technicians in Florida, which is just over 800 hours. These 814 hours are broken up into two parts. The first part-422 hours-are basic fire and emergency services training, while the second part-392 hours-are for Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) classes. Finally, before these certification courses can be taken and completed, the applicant must pass an exam administered by the department.
In the following article you will find all the necessary information on emt courses, paramedic school near me & 6 month paramedic program. Everything you need to know is right in front of your eyes.
You will also discover related posts on paramedic school & emt vs paramedic on infolearners.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Paramedic in Florida?
The Florida Emt Registry is online and to take the test all you need is an internet connection and a computer with a webcam. The test is about half the price of taking it in person, which is often required in some states. Remember, you can always call us at 888-897-2826 or email us at [email protected].
How long does it take to become a EMT in Florida? Is the next step to becoem a paramedic? Find out all your answers and more, including information on training and certification programs.
Paramedics provide advanced pre-hospital care for emergency rooms and ambulances. They might work on-site for a company that needs emergency care staff on hand or they might hold positions at other medical facilities.
Becoming a Paramedic is a great way to enter into the emergency medical services career field.
If you have ever wanted to learn how long it takes to become an EMT in Florida, this article will give you the details. Like most emergency medical service careers you need to complete a formal training program usually offered by a community college or technical school. The training program lasts anywhere from 6 months to a year and covers CPR, bandaging, and emergency care among other things.
Florida Paramedic Requirements
To become a Paramedic in Florida, you need to complete an approved training program and pass the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) exam or the Florida examination for Paramedics. One of these exams will need to be completed within two years of graduating from an approved Paramedic training program.
Health Career Institute offers an approved training program for Paramedics. You can gain your education and training for Paramedic in as little as 12 months. Paramedic students will complete 422 hours of theory courses, 150 hours of labs, and 540 hours of an externship that takes the Paramedic student out in the field for hands-on training with certified EMTs and Paramedics.
The 12 months of training will equip the Paramedic student with all of the knowledge and skills that the Florida Health Department requires before qualifying to take the Paramedic examinations. Because Paramedics must provide life-supporting services in emergency situations, undergoing the right training is vital before going out in the field and working with actual patients. What Paramedics do can mean the difference between life and death for many of their patients.
What You Will Learn
Paramedics will learn about human anatomy, trauma care, patient communication, medications, first aid, and much more to prepare for the field as a medical professional. Being able to think quickly and rely on your training in an emergency situation is important to your success as a Paramedic.
You can become a Paramedic in Florida after 12 months of training, but it will be a very intense training program that will adequately prepare you to become a Paramedic. This is an advanced level of Emergency Medical Technician that will also require ongoing education and recertification every two years. It will be important to keep up on the certification requirements after becoming a Paramedic.
Contact us to learn more about our Paramedic program and how you can become a Paramedic in 12 months.
There are many different steps to becoming an EMT in Florida. But the exact timeline varies depending on your personal situation and schedule. Letâs explore what factors impact your path to certification, and the approximate time it will take.
EMT License Requirements: How to Become an Emergency Medical Technician in Florida
Florida Emergency Medical Technicians are licensed by the Florida Department of Health. EMTs are licensed on the basis of education, examination, and general professional fitness. Florida mandates that Emergency Medical Technicians have graduated from high school and attained the age of at least 18. They must have acceptable legal and professional backgrounds.
An EMT who completes a Florida program and successfully completes the examination process will also earn national certification through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
EMTs are prepared to provide Basic Life Support (BLS). Those who wish to provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) can continue their studies at the paramedic level.
EMT Educational Requirements
Florida allows prospective Emergency Medical Technicians to use any of several pathways to demonstrate that educational requirements have been met. However, most options are only available to those who have already been through the education and examination process.
Traditional Method: An individual who is pursuing credentialing for the first time will complete a Florida-approved program. The Department of Health has included a list of providers in the âresourcesâ section of the EMT/ paramedic certification section (http://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/emt-paramedics/resources/index.html). The Department has also provided school-by-school examination results; prospective students can see the percentage of first-time examinees who passed and the percentage of re-examination candidates who passed.
Students who complete their EMT programs through colleges typically finish the entire program, including fieldwork, in about four months, or one semester.
Other Methods: Out-of-state EMTs can use their licenses as evidence that educational standards have been met; the license verification form includes basic questions about the educational program.
Current National Registry status can also be used to demonstrate that educational requirements have been met. The licensing agency notes that this is the method for military-trained applicants.
An individual who is licensed as a paramedic in Florida is considered to have met educational requirements at the EMT level.
The hours needed to complete training as an EMT in Florida ranges from 120-150. Your training will include a combination of classroom lectures and hands on practice in the field. Additional requirements include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification and a high school diploma or GED.
EMTs and paramedics in Florida must satisfy certain requirements, such as earning certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). The NREMT provides the main pathway to becoming an EMT in Florida and many other states.
Examination Requirements
Florida Emergency Medical Technicians complete two examinations: a Florida-approved practical examination and a standardized national examination.
Information about practical examination is typically provided by the program.
The standardized examination is delivered via computer. It covers the full range of medical and trauma related emergencies for which an EMT may provide treatment. The NREMT must receive direct confirmation of eligibility.
A candidate who has paid fees and been found eligible can schedule the examination at his or her choice of participating Pearson VUE assessment centers. The fee is currently $70. The Authorization to Test (ATT) may be accessed through the candidateâs online NREMT account. The ATT grants a 90-day eligibility window.
Information about the national certification examination is available from the NREMT (https://www.nremt.org). Test takers may download Candidate Information Booklets, or CIBs. The NREMT can be reached at (614) 888-4484.
The certification examination must be passed during the two-year period following course completion.
Out-of-state applicants take an assessment examination through the NREMT. They must pass the examination within two years of the time that they apply for licensure.
A paramedic who opts for licensure at the EMT level is not required to go through the examination process or submit the $35 assessment fee with his or her application.
The Application Process
The prospective EMT will submit an exam application and $35 fee to the licensing agency before examination.
Prospective EMTs have the option of submitting paper applications or applying online (http://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/emt-paramedics/applications-and-forms/index.html).
The Certification Office will require evidence of qualifying education/ examination eligibility.
An individual who has completed a Florida program will provide a course completion certificate.
An EMT applying on the basis of out-of-state licensure will submit a certificate of good standing; the other state will also document that the individual completed an acceptable EMT course.
The applicant will need to provide evidence of one of the following:
- CPR certification at the Professional Rescuer level, issued by the American Red Cross
- BLS certification at the Healthcare Provider level, issued by the American Heart Association
- Other CPR certification specifically approved by the Department
The application includes a link to other approved CPR courses.
The licensing agency will need to see both sides of the certification card; the signature must be included.
An applicant who has had a criminal conviction must submit official documents. The applicant is directed to submit other materials that may be in his or her favor, such as letters of recommendation. Statute 435 outlaws disqualifying options. Exemptions, however, can be considered. The request form is included among the other license documents.
Paper applications are to be mailed to the EMT-Paramedic Certification Office in Tallahassee. The application includes two separate addresses: a post office box for envelopes that include fees, a physical address for those that do not.
What are the Requirements to Get EMT Certificate?
- EMT aspirant should be of 18 years of age.
- Completion of training from a state-recognized institute is mandatory.
- CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification is essential to be maintained by the candidate.
- The candidate must clear both portions- cognitive and psychomotor of the NREMT examination.
- Evidence of the legal presence of the candidate in the United States is important to be provided by the candidate.
- He/she should possess strong endurance and good mental health.
- You should be good at understanding, writing and speaking the English language.
- A background check of the candidate is also mandatory.
Special Requirements to Get EMT Certificate in Florida
- Application for the certification and the pertinent fee should be submitted by the candidate.
- A practical examination, conducted by the state, is also needed to be passed by the candidate.
What is the Process of EMT Certification?
Step 1: Get Trained
Candidates in Florida should first complete the EMT training program successfully by a state-approved school.
Step 2: Submission of Application for National Certification
- The first step is to create a new account. For this, go to the NREMT site and click on âCreate New Accountâ.
- After this, the candidate needs to create a new application by taking your mouse cursor on the link âCreate Initial Entry Applicationâ and clicking on it.
- The candidate should pay the application fee as soon as he/she completes the online application process.
- The progress of the application process and the âAuthorization to Testâ (ATT) Letter should be checked regularly on the homepage of the NREMT website. You should sign in by using your username and password, and then, hit on the option of âCheck Initial Entry Application Statusâ.
- The website has submitted the candidateâs details if âSubmittedâ appears beside âCourse Completion Verificationâ. It also connotes that the approval has been granted by the education program director.
- However, if âNot Submittedâ appears beside âApplication Paymentâ, it means that the candidate needs to make the payment of the fees for getting the ATT Letter.
- After the course completion process has been checked by the education program director and the payment of the application fee has been made, the link âPrint ATT Letterâ will appear.
- After taking the printed ATT Letter, the candidate needs to set the timetable for the NREMT exam as per the procedure, provided in the letter.
All the practical examinations of NREMT will be managed by the state-approved training programs.
Step 3: Apply for License
The candidate must complete the online application by logging in the website of âFlorida Healthâ. The candidates will get a reply of their application in around 10-13 business days.
Besides the application form, you are ought to provide the following documents:
- The candidate must provide a clear copy of the course completion certificate.
- The candidate must also provide copies of NREMT certificate.
- A both-sided copy of CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification is also needed to be submitted by the candidate.
- The candidate should pay the initial certification fee of $35.00 through a check, made to the âDepartment of Healthâ (DOH).
Step 4: Background Check of the Candidate
In order to complete the process of certification, the last thing a candidate needs to do is to pass a criminal background check. For this, the candidate requires to contact the EMT course coordinator. Background screening may also be needed for the purpose of employment.
EMS Training Centers in Florida:
- Eastern Florida State College
Address: 1519 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, Florida- 32922
Contact Number: (321) 632-1111
Official Website: http://www.easternflorida.edu/ - Broward College
Address: 111 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida- 33301
Contact Number: 954-201-7350
Official Website: http://www.broward.edu/Pages/home.aspx - Hillsborough Community College
Address: Southshore Campus, 551 24th Street North East, Ruskin, Florida- 33570
Contact Number: (813) 253-7000
Official Website:http://www.hccfl.edu/ - Miami Dade College
Address: 300 North East 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida- 33132-2204
Contact Number: 305-237-8888
Official Website: http://www.mdc.edu/main/ - Palm Beach State College
Address: 4200 Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida- 33461
Contact Number: 561-868-3350
Official Website: http://www.palmbeachstate.edu/ - Pensacola State College
Address: 1000 College Boulevard, Pensacola, Florida- 32504
Contact Number: (850) 484-1759
Official Address: http://www.pensacolastate.edu/ - Seminole State College of Florida
Address: 100 Weldon Boulevard, Sanford, Florida- 32773
Contact Number: 407-708-4722
Official Address: http://www.seminolestate.edu/ - St. Petersburg College
Address: P.O. Box- 13489, St. Petersburg, Florida- 33733-3489
Contact Number: 727-341-4772
Official Website:http://www.spcollege.edu/ - Valencia College
Address: P.O. Box- 3028, Orlando, Florida- 32802
Contact Number: 407-299-5000
Official Website:http://valenciacollege.edu/ - College of Central Florida
Address: 3001 Southwest College Road, Ocala, Florida- 34474-4415
Contact Number: 352-873-5800
Official Website:http://www.cf.edu/ - Daytona State College
Address: 1200 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida- 32114
Contact Number: (386) 506-3000
Official Website: http://www.daytonastate.edu/ - Edison State College
Address: 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, Florida- 33919
Contact Number: 239-489-9300
Official Website:http://www.edison.edu/ - Gulf Coast State College
Address: 5230 West Highway 98, Panama City, Florida- 32401
Contact Number: 850-769-1551
Official Website:http://www.gulfcoast.edu/default.htm - Indian River State College
Address: 3209 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida- 34981
Contact Number: 772-462-4772
Official Website:http://www.irsc.edu/ - Florida Gateway College
Address: 149 Southeast College Place, Lake City, Florida- 32025
Contact Number: 386-752-1822
Official Website: https://www.fgc.edu/ - Lake Technical Center
Address: 2001 Kurt Street, Eustis, Florida- 32726
Contact Number: 352-589-2250
Official Website: http://www.laketech.org/ - Manatee Technical Institute
Address: 6305 State Road 70 East, Bradenton, Florida- 34203
Contact Number: 941-751-7900
Official Website: http://manateetech.edu/ - Polk State College
Address: 999 Avenue H Northeast, Winter Haven, Florida- 33881
Contact Number: 863-297-1000
Official Website:http://www.polk.edu/ - Sarasota County Technical Institute
Address: 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota, Florida- 34233
Contact Number: (941) 924-1365
Official Website:http://www.scti.edu/ - Tallahassee Community College
Address: 444 Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, Florida- 32304
Contact Number: (850) 201-6200
Official Website: https://www.tcc.fl.edu/Pages/default.aspx - First Coast Technical College
Address: 2980 Collins Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida- 32084
Contact Number: 904-547-3282
Fax: 904-547-3388
Official Website: http://fctc.edu/
Renewal Requirements
The EMT must renew his or her license every two years. He or she is expected to complete a 30-hour refresher course (http://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/emt-paramedics/renewal/requirements.html). There are multiple ways to document that training requirements have been met.
The length of the first licensing period may vary as licenses renew on a set date. The first-time renewal applicant is not held to the same re-training standards but must hold current CPR certification (http://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/emt-paramedics/continuing-education/index.html).
Licensees with unanswered questions about the renewal process can email âmqa_licensureservices at doh.state.fl.usâ.
paramedic school
emt vs paramedic
emt courses
paramedic school near me
6 month paramedic program
