Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) are a vital part of our EMS system.  Although the majority of EMT's are volunteers, paid positions are often available through private ambulance companies as well as some fire districts.  The first step to becoming an EMT is to get a Health-care Provider CPR certificate through the Red Cross or the American Heart Association.  This class is also offered through some hospitals.

Next, the EMT candidate must take a state approved EMT class.  This class is usually 2 1/2 months long and is offered through local EMS Councils, community colleges and/or local fire districts.  The price of the class varies by location.

After successfully passing the class then taking the state written EMT test and a practical test, the EMT student can then apply to be certified by the state.  In order to become certified, the EMT student must be over 18 and be an active member of an EMS provider agency such as a fire department or an ambulance company.  In many counties, the Medical Program Director will also require that the EMT student pass a county protocol test prior to certification.

After becoming an EMT, ongoing medical training will be provided by the sponsoring agency.

Specific Washington State information is available by clicking HERE.

*Note that EMTs and Paramedics are the most common pre-hospital emergency medical care providers in our region.  The state, and some counties, recognize additional levels of certification including First Responder and EMT-Intermediate levels.*

An overview of the licensing and certification requirements for Washington State pre-hospital care providers is available HERE.

How do I become a Paramedic?

Paramedics provides the highest level of medical care in a pre-hospital setting.  In order to become a paramedic, it is necessary to first be a certified EMT for a minimum of one year (more than one year may be required depending upon the requirements of the paramedic school the student plans to attend).  Next the paramedic candidate will apply to a school that offers certification in paramedicine. 

The length of the paramedicine program varies from an intensive six month course, to a one year program, to a four year bachelor of science program.  In our state, paramedic programs are offered at Tacoma Community College and Central Washington University among other places.  All programs provide the paramedic student with a great deal of education in both clinical and field settings.

After graduating from the program, the Paramedic candidate must take and pass the National Registry exam which is what the State of Washington has adopted as the official state exam; although the paramedic candidate must pass the National Registry exam, they are not required to be certified by the National Registry in order to be certified by Washington State.  The paramedic can then apply for state certification if they are active members of an EMS agency by either being hired by a fire department, private ambulance company or hospital.  In many counties, the Medical Program Director will also require that the Paramedic candidate pass a county protocol test prior to certification.

Specific Washington State information is available by clicking HERE.