Public Safety

How to become an EMT

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

3–6 months

Typical pay

$36k–$50k

Starting from

No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.

The route

1. 1

   1 day

   Get CPR certified first

   A prerequisite for enrolling in almost every EMT course.

   ◆ BLS / CPR

   Course that covers thisCPR/AED Awareness Course: Save Lives with ConfidenceUdemy · around $19.99 →
2. 2

   3–6 months

   Complete an EMT-Basic course

   Around 150 hours of classroom, skills labs and clinical ride-alongs.

   Course that covers thisNREMT National Registry Emergency Medical Technician ExamUdemy · around $19.99 →
3. 3

   Pass the NREMT

   Cognitive exam plus a psychomotor skills assessment.

   ◆ NREMT-B

4. 4

   4–8 weeks

   Get your state licence

   Then a first job on a transport or 911 truck.

5. ✓

   Destination

   EMT

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