If you're thinking about starting a career as an Emergency Medical Technician the main thing you will need to understand are the per-requisites for becoming an EMT. To start studying to acquire your EMT Certification you will have to be at 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition you will need a valid CPR certification. When you meet these requirements you can then register for admittance for the EMT-B level of training.
These training programs are all over, your local community college will most likely offer these EMT training programs. If they don't check with your local emergency services department or an EMT in your area to see what your training options are. If there is nothing available in your area you can always look into Online EMT training as another option.
The first level of EMT training, EMT-Basic. Will take about two to six months. The length of this training program will depend on the amount of time you are able to study and participate in practical training. The hourly requirement varies from state to state and can be as little as 30 hours to more than 150 hours. To get a better idea of how much time this basic certification will take to complete consult with your local EMT training coordinator.
During this training program you'll learn a lot about the basic EMT job requirements and the skills you'll need to posses to be successful in this career. The insight you'll gain from this experience will prove invaluable as this initial training will allow you to see what your life would be like working as an EMT. Essentially this first level of training will determine whether or not you really want to be an EMT.
After you've successfully completed the Basic EMT Certification you will then be able to move to the next phase of EMT training. The intermediate or EMT-Paramedic training program is a much more intensive education. You can expect to spend 1-2 years finishing this level of EMT training. When you have successfully completed this level of training you'll be qualified to sit for the NREMT exams. Completion time of this second level of training is again dependent on a few key factors. Your time and ability to study and gain practical experience is paramount to your success in the completion of this program.
When you've have complete the EMT-Paramedic training you will be allowed to apply to take your NREMT exams. There are two exams you must complete to get your National Paramedics License. The first exam focuses on testing that focuses on real life situations. The second is a cognitive test made up of 80-150 questions.
Both of these exams have a reputation for being extremely difficult. Almost half the people who take the cognitive test do not pass the first time. You're allowed to fail the exam up to six times. After that you would be required to retake the EMT-Paramedics training program again.