Becoming an EMT in California
California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training is similar to many other states. Becoming an EMT in California begins with going through an approved EMT program, passing the National Registry of EMT (NREMT) exams, and then getting approved for a California state EMT license.
Scroll down for more detailed information about each step in the California EMT training process.This page will also discuss California EMT scope of practice skills that emergency medical technicians of all levels are allowed to perform on the job.
EMS Levels Recognized in California
• Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)
• Paramedic (EMT-P)
• Critical Care Paramedic (CCP)
EMT Training in California
EMT training in California is offered at many schools and institutions throughout the state. Most EMT schools in California only offer the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic programs for study.
The Advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT) certification is used mostly in rural areas of California. In fact, the AEMT may be the only EMS personnel available to provide immediate medical attention in those areas.
The AEMT certification is not recognized statewide so if you want to work as an AEMT, you should contact the local Emergency Medical Services Agency (LEMSA) in the area you want to work in.
When signing up for a California Paramedic program make sure the course is accredited. For an extensive list of approved California EMT training programs and accredited Paramedic programs in California go here: List of EMT schools.
A Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) is the highest level of EMS personnel recognized by the State of California. CCPs are paramedics with additional training and an expanded scope of practice which allows them to do critical care transports.
Critical care paramedics don’t need to be accompanied by a registered nurse during transports and are frequently used by flight ambulances. Critical care paramedics are accredited by a LEMSA and CCP training is done at a local level.
Like the AEMT, the critical care paramedic accreditation is not recognized statewide.
EMT schools in California teach students to respond quickly to emergency situations and transport the sick and injured while providing life saving care.
California EMT training programs prepare graduates to work in the field, make them competent to complete patient assessments, identify signs and symptoms of an emergency, and respond with the appropriate treatments.
After graduating from EMT training, students in California will be able to perform life-saving skills and respond to emergency situations with confidence. Some of these life-saving skills include managing myocardial infarctions, stabilizing fractures, hemorrhage control, and administering oxygen.
Some common emergency situations a California EMT will respond to are cardiac arrest, motor vehicle accidents, gunshot wounds, and falls.
EMT Schools in California
EMT schools in California all have a set of requirements which must be met in order to be accepted into the different levels of EMT training. Each EMT school in California can have slightly different requirements for entry, but in general most schools will have the following prerequisites.
• A California EMT must be 18 years old to have a California state EMT license. Some EMT training programs allow candidates to enter their program at 17 1/2 years old. However, they must be 18 years old by the end of the EMT training program.
• EMT schools in California require a high school diploma or GED certificate.
• EMT schools in California require applicants to complete the American Heart Association CPR-BLS for the Healthcare Provider. An acceptable alternative is American Red Cross BLS–CPR for the professional rescuer. (Some EMT programs include this as part of the EMT course instead of as a prerequisite.)
• Some California EMT programs require a current Drivers License.
• EMT schools in California require candidates have proof of Current Health Insurance. Some schools require students to stay insured throughout the entire California EMT training program.