Michigan EMT training and licensure is similar to many other states. Candidates must go through a Michigan training program and pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) exams before applying for a Michigan EMT license. Scroll down to find instructions and requirements for becoming an EMT in Michigan.
This page gives you each step in the training process and will guide you on how to become an EMT in Michigan. The bottom of this page has a list of accredited paramedic schools in Michigan.
Check out our EMT Programs page for more help deciding what kind of Michigan EMT program is right for you. It talks about many things including the differences between community college EMT programs, private EMT training, accelerated courses, etc.
Recognized EMS Levels In Michigan
• Medical First Responder (MFR)
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Advanced EMT (AEMT) (Aka EMT Specialist)
• Paramedic
According to the NREMT there are approximately 7,728 certified personnel in Michigan. This includes all four EMS levels listed above. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) handles state EMT licensing and only accepts online applications.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Mailing Address:
Emergency Medical Services Section
P.O. Box 30207
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Physical Address:
1001 Terminal Road
Lansing, MI 48906
Phone:
(517) 241-0179
517-335-1825
Fax: 517-335-9434
How to Become an EMT in Michigan
According to the Michigan EMT website there are currently over 500 EMS jobs available with an average salary of $30,000 a year, and Michigan EMT training can be completed for around $2250. This includes books, tuition and other expenses.
Paramedic programs in Michigan will cost candidates about $8,200 to complete training including books, tuition and other expenses. Michigan paramedics earn an average annual salary of $39,000
Michigan EMTs need to find an EMT school and sign up for a training program. After completing a training program, students will need to take and pass both NREMT exams to obtain national EMT certification.
Once testing is complete, the Michigan EMT can apply for a state license through the MDHHS website’s online portal. The applicant can then begin working as an EMT in the State of Michigan.
Finding A School
All Michigan EMT training programs need to be approved by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS). Candidates who complete non-approved programs won’t be eligible to apply for the Michigan EMT license.
When looking for paramedic programs in Michigan, make sure they are CAAHEP/CoAEMPS accredited or in the Letter of Review (LoR) process. The paramedic program must be accredited so the graduated Michigan paramedic is eligible for national EMS certification and reciprocity in other states.
→ There is a list of accredited paramedic programs in Michigan at the bottom of this post.
Finding a Michigan EMT training school can be a bit difficult because there are 83 counties in the state to search through. Most people will search by county unless they have a specific school in mind to attend.
You can find an EMT training program near you by going to the MDHHS page and searching by county.
MFR Training in Michigan
Medical First Responder training in Michigan teaches students the skills and knowledge to competently perform lifesaving interventions while they wait for additional EMS to arrive. MFR training in Michigan will be at least 60 hours long and students are eligible to take the National Registry EMR exam after finishing school.
MFRs can assist more highly trained EMS personnel in the field. They are able to provide lifesaving care to critical patients and can perform interventions with limited equipment.
EMT Training in Michigan
Michigan EMT training teaches candidates how to provide emergency care for the sick and injured who access the Michigan emergency medical system. EMT students learn basic life support treatments for both medical and traumatic injuries. Michigan EMTs can also provide transport to patients when needed.
Along with BLS, a Michigan EMT is trained in poisonings, spinal injuries, pediatrics and behavioral emergencies. EMT courses in Michigan will be at least 194 hours long and cover all EMR knowledge, skills and competencies.
At least 32 of those hours must be clinical hours, which include Emergency Department and ambulance rotations. EMTs excel in the primary survey, obtaining a SAMPLE history, and performing other assessment skills.
AEMT Training in Michigan
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician training in Michigan teaches students to perform both BLS and Advanced Life Support (ALS) skills. A Michigan AEMT can provide emergency care and life saving interventions on a more advanced level than EMTs.
AEMT training in Michigan will be at least 134 hours long, with at least 50 clinical hours. Students learn to perform skills like establishing intravenous (IV) access, intraosseous access, and administering IV fluids.
Clinical hours in Michigan will mainly focus on medication administration, establishing venous access and supraglottic airway insertion. AEMTs are also able to perform all the skills that EMTs can.
Paramedic Programs in Michigan
Paramedic programs in Michigan have much longer and more intense programs than the other EMS levels. Michigan paramedic training teaches students to respond to emergencies using BLS and ALS skills.
Paramedics are trained in IV therapy, advanced airway management, advanced cardiac life support and the use of defibrillators.
Michigan paramedic students are also highly trained for medication administration in the field. Paramedic programs in Michigan will have classroom hours, clinical hours, practical hours and field internship hours which will total over 1000 hours of training.
Requirements EMT School: Michigan
Some of the following may not be required until after the EMT program begins. For example, often proof of vaccinations are required before clinical rotations begin.
- Many Michigan EMT programs don’t require applicants to be 18 years old at time of schooling, but you will have to be 18 years old to obtain a Michigan EMT license.
- Michigan EMT students must be high school graduates or have a GED.
- Some Michigan EMT schools will require students to submit ACT, COMPASS, SAT scores, or complete Accuplacer testing.
- Michigan EMT students will need American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Provider CPR certification. Some EMT programs offer the CPR course as part of their EMT program.
- Passing a drug test is a requirement for many Michigan EMT programs. It can be a ten-panel drug screening or another type, depending on the school.
- Passing a criminal background check, usually Live Scan fingerprinting, will be required for most Michigan EMT programs.
- Michigan EMT students will need to demonstrate full immunity to the following:
MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella)
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
TDAP (Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis)
Titers or vaccines may be required as proof of immunity.
- An annual flu vaccination will be required for Michigan EMT students.
- Students beginning Michigan EMT training must submit a negative TB skin test.
- Michigan EMT students must have Hepatitis B vaccinations or titers before beginning EMT training. Some programs allow applicants to sign a Hepatitis B declination form instead.
- Some clinical sites require students to have proof of health insurance. Michigan EMT programs using these sites will require students to have health insurance while in the EMT program.
- Some Michigan EMT programs will require students to pass a physical or a fitness test. This will check dexterity, coordination, strength, and other skills that medical responders will need on the job.
Prerequisites Michigan AEMT
Along with all the requirements for EMTs listed above, the AEMT:
- Must have completed an EMT program.
Prereqs Paramedic Program in Michigan
Along with all the requirements listed above for EMTs, Michigan Paramedic schools:
- May require applicants already be a licensed or certified EMT or AEMT.
- May require Anatomy and Physiology to be completed before paramedic class begins.
EMT Certification: Michigan
All EMT training candidates will need to complete the National Registry of EMT exams to get their Michigan EMT certification on the National level. There are two NREMT exams, the Cognitive exam and the Psychomotor exam.
The cognitive exam is a written exam and the psychomotor exam is a hands on test that demonstrates your ability to perform life saving skills. Go to our NREMT exam page for more information about both these tests.
After completing the entire Michigan EMT training program, you will need to set up a testing date for the NREMT Cognitive exam. This can be done online at the National Registry of EMT website.
Instructions and available testing dates can be found on the NREMT site along with details about the cognitive exam.
Towards the end of your EMT program instructors will discuss the psychomotor exam and how to set up a testing date. Michigan MFR and EMTs will often take the psychomotor exam through their training institution, while AEMTs and paramedics need to take their exam at a different location.
Your course instructor will provide more details and information about this test.
The MDHHS and the NREMT schedule and confirm the psychomotor exam. Both AEMT and paramedic candidates can find testing locations and dates here. They have contact information for registration and have the next available psychomotor testing dates posted online at the link above.
After passing both the Cognitive and Psychomotor exams, the National Registry of EMTs will automatically send you a congratulations letter in the mail along with your EMT certification. Once you have the NREMT certification, the last step is to apply for a Michigan EMT license.
Michigan EMT License
These are requirements that must be met before applying for the Michigan EMT license. The Michigan EMT license is a state license, while the NREMT is a national certification. These application requirements are for all four levels of EMS licensure. (MFR, EMT, AEMT, Paramedic.)
- Must finish a Michigan EMT course within last 2 years and your Michigan Education Program Sponsor must provide proof of course completion to the MDHHS.
- Must pass the NREMT exams before applying for a Michigan EMT license.
- Has to be 18 years or older to apply for a Michigan EMT license.
- Michigan EMT license applications must be submitted online.
- Applicants must disclose criminal history when applying. Here is an example of the criminal history information that will be asked during the online registration process.
Michigan EMT License Tips:
- Michigan Course Completion Application is the name of the online application for new EMT’s applying for their first Michigan EMT license.
- There is a question that asks for the “Name of Education Program Sponsor”. To answer, you write the name of the school or program where you took your Michigan EMT course. (Ex: Lansing Community College.)
Michigan EMT License Renewal
After becoming licensed in the state of Michigan, candidates do not need to renew their license using the NREMT exams. At this time (10/2019) Michigan only uses the National Registry exams for initial licensure. All Michigan license renewals will need to be done using the state mandated curriculums.
Plan ahead and leave time for getting your continuing education units because there are specific topics which must be covered for each type of license. This link shows a chart with the “Personnel Continuing Education Requirements” for MFR, EMT, AEMT and paramedics in Michigan.
Accredited Paramedic Programs in Michigan
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredits paramedic programs. However, it bases those accreditations on the recommendations of its parent organization, the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP).
It’s important to attend a Michigan paramedic program that is CAAHEP/CoAEMPS accredited. This is so that graduating paramedics are eligible for national EMS certification and can get reciprocity in other states if desired later on.
Here is a list of Michigan Paramedic Programs that are currently accredited. To check the status of other paramedic programs go to the CAAHEP site and enter a state and profession (EMT/Paramedic).
Dorsey Emergency Medical Academy
17612 Commerce Road Suite 100 New Boston, MI 48164
Program Director: Kenneth Hamilton BA, EMTP
Phone: (734) 753-9991
khamilton@dorsey.edu
Genesys Regional Medical Center
1000 Health Park Blvd Grand Blanc, MI 48439
Program Director: Christopher Patrello BS, EMT-P I/C
Phone: (810) 606-5131
christopher.patrello@ascension.org
Saginaw Michigan Great Lakes Bay Consortium for EMS Education
834 South Washington Ave. Saginaw, MI 48601
Program Director: Robert J (Jason) MacDonald MBA, EMTP, I/C
Phone: (800) 232-5216
jmacdonald@mobilemedical.org
Great Lakes EMS Academy/Davenport University Consortium
1001 South Division Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Program Director: Robert Schmitt PA-C, EMTP, IC
Phone: (616) 459-1736
bob@greatlakesems.com
Huron Valley Ambulance
1200 State Circle Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Program Director: Shaun Pochik MS, EMT-P, IC
Phone: (734) 477-6731
spochik@emergenthealth.org
Jackson College
2111 Emmons Rd. Jackson, MI 49201
Program Director: G Paul Lacinski BAS, EMTP, I/C
Phone: (517) 796-8509
firemed133@yahoo.com
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
418 East Walnut St. Kalamazoo, MI 49007-5301
Program Director: Daniel Benard MBA, EMTP, IC
Phone: (269) 548-3231
dbenard@kvcc.edu
Kellogg Community College
450 North Ave. Battle Creek, MI 49017
Program Director: Clark Imus BS, EMTP, I/C
Phone: (269) 565-2652
imusc@kellogg.edu
Kirtland Community College
4800 W 4 Mile Rd. Grayling, MI 49738
Program Director: Joseph Rubino BA, EMTP, I/C
Phone: (989) 275-5000
joe.rubino@kirtland.edu
Lake Superior State University
650 W Easterday Ave Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Program Director: Kevin Mohar BS, EMT-P, IC
Phone: (906) 635-2125
kmohar@lssu.edu
Lansing Community College
515 North Washington Square Lansing, MI 48933
Program Director: Marvin Helmker BA, EMTP, IC
Phone: (517) 483-1530
helmkem@star.lcc.edu
Life EMS Ambulance/Metro Health Hospital Consortium
1275 Cedar St. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Program Director: Jason Perton BA, EMTP, I/C
Phone: (616) 242-8839
jperton@lifeems.com
Life Support Training Institute of Botsford Hospital
25250 West Eight Mile Road Southfield, MI 48033
Program Director: Catherine Barrett MSN, CPC, MSA, NP
Phone: (734) 658-1710
cathy.barrett@beaumont.org
Macomb Community College
14500 East 12 Mile Rd. C/C A-234 Warren, MI 48088
Program Director: Daniel Media MA, RN, EMT-P/IC, PEM
Phone: (586) 286-2069
mediad@macomb.edu
McLaren Flint-EMS Education Program
401 S Ballenger Hwy Flint, MI 48532
Program Director: Eric Imeson MA, EMTP, I/C
Phone: (810) 342-2257
eric.imeson@mclaren.org
Medic 1 Community Emergency Service
PO Box 1563, 635 E Napier Benton Harbor, MI 49023
Program Director: Nicole Smith MA, NRP, CCEMTP, I/C
Phone: (269) 925-2144
nsmith@medic1ambulance.org
Medstar Medical Education Center
380 N. Gratiot Clinton Township, MI 48036
Program Director: Kolby Miller MBA, PMP, EMTP
Phone: (586) 468-6510
kmiller@medstarambulance.org
Mid-Michigan Medical Center
4601 Wellness Drive Midland, MI 48640
Program Director: Scott Schaffer BS, EMTP, I/C
Phone: (989) 633-1318
scott.schaffer@midmichigan.org
North Central Michigan College
1515 Howard Street Petoskey, MI 49770
Program Director: James Cousino BS, EMTP
Phone: (231) 348-6630
jcousino@ncmich.edu
Oakland Community College
2900 Featherstone Rd, H-102 Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Program Director: Denise Martin MS
Phone: (248) 232-4094
dsmartin@oaklandcc.edu
St. Clair Community College
323 Erie St. Port Huron, MI 48061
Program Director: Roger T McClelland MS, EMTP, I/C
Phone: (810) 989-5714
rtmcclelland@sc4.edu
Wayne County Community College
21000 Northline Rd Taylor, MI 48180
Program Director: Andy Steeby MA, EMTP, I/C
Phone: (734) 374-3213
asteeby1@wcccd.edu
References
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)( 2019)
https://cpr.heart.org/en/cpr-courses-and-kits/healthcare-professional/basic-life-support-bls-training - LSTI Life Support Training Institute (2019)
https://www.lifesupporttraining.org - Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-73970_5093_28508_86966—,00.html - Michigan EMS eLicensing Portal (2019)
https://www.mi-emsis.org/licensure/portal#/login - National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians EMTs (2019)
https://www.nremt.org/rwd/public/document/emt