Becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Louisiana is very similar to the process many other states follow. EMT training in Louisiana begins with going through an approved EMT program, passing the National Registry of EMT (NREMT) exams and obtaining a Louisiana EMT State license.
If you are still in high school and are interested in becoming an EMT, I have good news for you. Louisiana has a Jump Start Pathway to begin your EMS career in high school.
Scroll down for more detailed information about each step in the Louisiana EMT training process.
How to Become an EMT in Louisiana
The Louisiana Bureau of EMS is responsible for licensing and regulation of Louisiana’s EMS personnel.
In November of 2018, the Louisiana Bureau of EMS launched a new and improved Information Management System (BEMS IMS), which was formerly called “The Portal.”
If you previously had a Portal account, all licensing data was transferred to the new IMS. However, all users must register as “first-time users” before utilizing the new IMS.
EMT training in Louisiana follows a linear path that starts by successfully completing a BEMS approved EMT program. The next step is to pass both the NREMT exams and get nationally certified as an EMT. After that, you apply for and get a Louisiana EMT state license.
Louisiana EMS Levels
- Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)
- Paramedic
EMT Training In Louisiana
In Louisiana EMTs will need NREMT certification and Louisiana licensure at all levels except for EMRs.
You can apply for a state license by completing an application on the Bureau of EMS Information Management System (BEMS IMS) here.
Here is the contact information for the Louisiana Bureau of Emergency Medical Services:
7273 Florida Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Website
Susan Bailey – Director
225) 925-4022
225) 925-7244
susan.bailey@la.gov
EMT School Louisiana
In Louisiana, individuals who want an EMS License are required to complete an educational program approved by the Louisiana Bureau of EMS.
EMT training in Louisiana starts by finding an Emergency Medical Technician training program approved by the Bureau of EMS. A good EMT program will prepare its graduates to quickly respond to emergency situations and provide life-saving care while transporting the sick and injured.
→ An EMT school in Louisiana should prepare its EMT graduates to complete patient care assessments and use the patient’s signs and symptoms to complete patient care interventions.
→ EMT training in Louisiana will prepare students for the National Registry of EMT’s cognitive and psychomotor certification examinations.
→ EMT schools in Louisiana have a classroom portion along with clinical rotations that must be completed to graduate Louisiana EMT training and be eligible for state licensure.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to find a list of Louisiana EMT programs and contact information.
Always check that EMT programs are authorized by the Louisiana State Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. Paramedic programs need to be accredited by either CAAHEP or CoAEMSP.
Under Age 18: Get a Jump Start
Louisiana faces a shortage of licensed practitioners and they are doing something about it. The Louisiana Bureau of EMS and LDOE have partnered to develop the High School EMS Jump Start Pathway. It is actively addressing the shortage of qualified EMS personnel.
In just four years it has spread to almost one-third of the high schools in Louisiana. There are now over 110 approved high school EMR programs and 11 EMT programs available to students.
EMT School Requirements: Louisiana
The EMT requirements for entry into an EMT program can vary by state. For more detailed information about specific EMT program requirements see our EMT Program page.
Louisiana EMT training programs have specific mandatory EMT school requirements which are briefly discussed below.
EMT programs can be completed through State colleges, usually in one semester of training classes. This is often less expensive than attending a private EMT school. However, state colleges may have extra prerequisites for entry, like SAT scores, reading comprehension, etc.
Many of these prerequisites can be tested out of, or met by taking extra classes. This may add another semester of classes onto the time it takes you to complete Louisiana EMT schooling.
Louisiana EMT Eligibility
Each Louisiana EMT training program can have slightly different requirements for entry, but most schools will have the following prerequisites.
- A Louisiana EMT must be 18 years old to have a state EMT license. Some EMT training programs allow candidates to enter their program at 17 years old. However, students must be 18 years old by the end of the EMT training program.
- Student must have a High School Diploma, GED, HiSET, college transcript or equivalent to sign up for EMT training in Louisiana.
- Some, not all, Louisiana EMT training candidates may have to complete COMPASS, ASSET, Accupacer or ACT Tests to meet college admission requirements.
- Louisiana EMT schools require applicants to complete the American Heart Association CPR-BLS for the Healthcare Provider or 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.)
- Louisiana EMS students may need to show evidence of Meningococcal disease immunization.
- EMT students may need to show evidence of vaccines or titers for MMR and Chicken Pox to begin EMT training in Louisiana.
- Students beginning EMT training in Louisiana may need to show vaccination records for Tetanus, Tdap, or DPT.
- A Louisiana EMT must be able to physically perform the duties of the job.
AEMT School Eligibility In Louisiana
Advanced emergency medical technicians in Louisiana will need to first become an EMT. Then they can go back to school to become a Louisiana AEMT.
→ The eligibility prerequisites for AEMT school in Louisiana include all of the eligibility requirements listed above for EMTs and the following:
AEMT students must be currently licensed by the Louisiana Bureau of EMS as a Nationally Registered, State of Louisiana licensed EMT.
Louisiana Paramedic School
Paramedic training is much longer and more intense than basic EMT training. It involves over 1,000 hours of clinical, laboratory, didactic, and field training. Students can become an EMT and then get experience in the field prior to attending paramedic school.
Some paramedic training programs offer getting EMT certification as part of their paramedic training course.
Louisiana Paramedic School Eligibility
Paramedic school can have a more difficult set of standards for acceptance than lower level EMT programs. In addition to the EMT requirements above, Louisiana Paramedic school applicants will need to do the following:
- Applicants should have a current EMT or Advanced EMT certification. Some schools include EMT certification as part of class curriculum.
- Students must keep AHA BLS CPR certification or ARC CPR for the professional rescuer certification through entire program.
- Louisiana paramedic training programs will require students to complete a physical.
- Applicants must complete a Paramedic Program Application.
- Paramedic students in Louisiana will likely be asked to undergo a comprehensive background check.
- Louisiana students will likely be asked to pass a drug screen.
- Paramedic applicants may need to submit a letter of intent or letters of recommendation.
- Students will also need to pay a clinical fee.
- Paramedic students may be required to take Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, or Biology as prerequisites or co-requisites for some Louisiana paramedic programs.
National Certification Exams
After completing a Louisiana EMT training program, students become eligible to take both the Cognitive and Psychomotor National Registry of EMT examinations.
Paramedic students that complete an accredited Paramedic program are eligible to sit for the NREMT Paramedic exam before applying for state licensure.
Louisiana candidates need to pass the NREMT exams before they can apply for the Louisiana EMS license. For information about both of these exams check out our NREMT exams page.
The NREMT Cognitive exam is a written exam that’s administered via computer at a Pearson VUE testing center. There are Pearson VUE Centers in Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Metairie, Shreveport and New Orleans.
Apply for a Cognitive exam testing date by going to the NREMT website and creating an account. In March of 2018 the NREMT released Handbooks for each level of EMS Provider that are a step by step guide for submitting applications and taking the certification exams.
→ They are great guides for anyone applying for their initial EMS license.
The Louisiana Bureau of EMS is responsible for the adminstration of the NREMT psychomotor examination. After completing an approved Initial EMS Course, students are eligible to sit for the psychomotor exam.
The NREMT Psychomotor exam is a hands on test that should be scheduled toward the end of your EMT training course.
Louisiana EMT schools will prepare candidates for the psychomotor exam and course instructors will help students set up a testing date at the end of EMT training.
The cost of the full psychomotor exam for an EMT in Louisiana is $60, AEMT is $75, and it’s $90 for the paramedic exam.
For more details, go to the Louisiana Department of Health’s EMT psychomotor exam page.
Louisiana EMT License
After completing a Louisiana EMT training program and passing the NREMT exams you are eligible to obtain a Louisiana EMT license. This license is required before an EMT in Louisiana can begin working with patients in the State of Louisiana.
The State EMT license is different from the National EMT certification you get from passing the NREMT exams.
Basically, National EMT certification allows you to go to any state that recognizes the NREMT certification and apply for their State EMT license.
In Louisiana the Bureau of EMS licenses individuals who meet the license requirements to be an:
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)
Paramedic
In Louisiana, both NREMT certification and a Louisiana State license is required for each level of prehospital care, except EMR.
How to Apply for An Initial License
Candidates must complete a Louisiana License Application to apply for their state license. You will need to create a profile at the new Louisiana Bureau of EMS Information Management System (BEMS IMS), which was formerly called “The Portal.”
This page will take you through the BEMS IMS system step by step to apply for your initial license at any level. I recommend checking it out before creating your profile.
The Louisiana EMS license applications will all ask a few questions about any pending charges, crime convictions, disciplinary actions and physical or mental limitations. You can see the exact questions by scrolling down the page linked above.
Louisiana EMT License Requirements
To get a Louisiana EMT license the following requirements will need to be met:
- Complete a state approved EMT course within the last two years.
- Pass the NREMT Cognitive and Psychomotor Exams.
- Present your NREMT certification as an EMT.
- Complete the Louisiana EMT License Application.
- Pay the licensure fee. The Louisiana Bureau of EMS will not review any application until the fee is paid.
- Maintain a CPR BLS certification for the healthcare provider.
These requirements are similar for Louisiana EMT, AEMT and Paramedic licensure, and can be viewed here.
Louisiana EMS Programs
Bossier Parish Community College
6220 East Texas Street, Bossier City, LA 71111
Paramedic Program Director: Jeffery D. Anderson, NREMTP
318) 678-6403 (leave message)
janderson@bpcc.edu
Paramedic Program Website
Central Louisiana Technical Community College
4311 South MacArthur Drive, Alexandria, LA 71302
318) 357-3162
Next EMT Class 01/27/20
Delgado Community College
615 City Park Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119
504) 671-5000
Paramedic
Nunez Community College
3710 Paris Rd. Chalmette, LA. 70043
504) 278-6467
EMT, AEMT & Paramedic
South Louisiana Community College
1101 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506
337) 521-9000
Paramedic
Southern University at Shreveport
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Shreveport, LA 71107
JoAnn W. Brown (Dean)
Allied Health and Nursing
318) 670-9651
jwarren@susla.edu
EMT and Paramedic
