Depending on where you live, you may find that achieving certification and becoming a licensed Emergency Medical Technician is not really a cut and dry process. Not all states have the same requirements for EMT training and figuring out exactly what to do can become overwhelming to many new students. But don’t despair, just keep your eyes on what really matters, which is acquiring certification as an EMT. In order to do this, students should take their EMT training one step at a time. This will make the whole process much easier to follow and successfully complete.

Firstly, there a few requirements that all prospective Emergency Medical Technicians must satisfy. Applicants should be at least 18 years of age and either have a high school diploma or a GED. These are usually the prerequisites required to take any EMT certification test. Most states require that the student meet certain agility standards, have the ability to work in all types of weather, and are mentally sound and physically strong. Then, students should enroll in classes to begin their EMT training. Once their EMT training is completed, students must take and pass the tests required for their particular licensing.

EMT certification is usually obtained through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). All EMT positions will require a license, but the different levels of licensing and actual job titles can vary depending upon the state where the tests are administered. The 3 most common tests given by the NREMT are EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic. Also, depending on the criminal record of the applicant, the NREMT can disallow certification or place restrictions on a candidates license to practice. Please make sure to contact the agency that you wish to work for and verify the requirements. Then, if you follow the process one step at a time, you can acquire certification and begin an extremely rewarding career.