how to become an emt in pa

Register for and take an approved EMT training program in Pennsylvania.

Navigate to the Pennsylvania Department of Health website at health.state.pa.us/FindTraining and select “EMT” from the list of provider types under the “Filter by Type” heading to access a listing of institutes offering EMT training programs in Pennsylvania (see Resources). This listing is separated into two categories: one for primary courses and another for refresher courses.

Step 2

Enroll in an approved EMT course by contacting the lead instructor listed on the Department of Heath’s website and providing personal information such as your name, address, gender, race and date of birth after you’ve made contact. The institution that offers the course will likely ask you to provide additional personal information as well before you are allowed to register for classes. This step may include more than one session if you choose a course with multiple pre-requisite classes like CPR certification or basic life support training.

Step 3

Complete your EMT training program. Programs usually take between four weeks and 12 months to complete depending on whether you attend part time or full time and whether or not you have previously completed medical training that satisfies some of the pre-requisites for passing certified EMT tests administered by National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). To pass these tests, students must demonstrate competency in taking vital signs, performing basic patient assessments, reading cardiac rhythms on electrocardiogram monitors and treating patients suffering from shock, heart attacks and seizures; they also need to understand how different drugs work inside the human body so they can give their patients appropriate medicine during emergencies

Apply for your National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification on the NREMT website.

• Apply for your National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification on the NREMT website.
• Complete an Initial Certification Application before your designated deadline, pay the $70 application fee ($80 if you are applying late) and upload a 2 x 2-inch color photo of yourself.
• Complete the cognitive exam and complete any required prior learning. You will receive instructions on what to do next via email from the NREMT. Note that you must complete this step within one year after receiving authorization to test or your application will be voided.
• Pay a $125 registration fee online using a credit card and upload a copy of your driver’s license or government issued photo identification card.

Pass the NREMT cognitive and psychomotor examinations.

• You must pass both the NREMT cognitive (written) and psychomotor examinations within two years of completing your EMT training program.
• If you fail either exam, you may retake it up to three times in one year.
• You may take each exam as many times as necessary; however, you will be required to pay a fee for each test.

Once you pass the exams, you will be a certified EMT.

Once you pass the exams, you will be a certified EMT. Your certification is good for two years, but only if you maintain an employment relationship with an EMS organization in PA. You can, however, still be considered a volunteer EMT even if your certification has expired.