Top 10 Emergency Medical Technician Certifications

Certifications are important for an emergency medical technician (EMT) in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has met professional standards and is competent to perform the duties of the job. Certifications also provide employers with a way to verify that a potential employee has the knowledge and skills necessary to handle emergency medical situations. Furthermore, certifications can help EMTs stand out from other applicants and give them an edge when applying for jobs. Ultimately, having certifications shows employers that an EMT is dedicated to their profession, committed to providing high-quality care, and willing to go the extra mile.

This article reviews some of the best certifications for Emergency Medical Technicians and explains how they can help further an EMT's career.

What are Emergency Medical Technician Certifications?

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification is a type of certification that is awarded to healthcare professionals who have completed a training program and passed an examination. This certification enables the individual to provide emergency medical services, such as responding to 911 calls and providing basic medical care at the scene of an emergency.

EMT certification allows individuals to provide life-saving care in emergency situations, such as administering oxygen, performing CPR, or providing first aid. EMTs are also able to recognize and assess medical emergencies and illnesses, administer medications, use a defibrillator, and transport patients safely. With this certification, they can work in hospitals and other healthcare settings or be part of ambulance crews out in the field.

By having EMT certification, individuals are equipped with the skills needed to respond quickly and appropriately in any emergency situation. This can help save lives by providing prompt care before more comprehensive medical assistance arrives on the scene. It also helps ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care possible during an emergency situation.

Pro Tip: Make sure to keep up with all of the continuing education requirements for your EMT certification. Many states require you to take a certain number of hours in order to maintain your certification, so make sure you're aware of these requirements and stay on top of them.

Related: What does an Emergency Medical Technician do?

Top 10 Emergency Medical Technician Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Emergency Medical Technicians today.

1. National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) is a national organization that certifies and registers Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). It is the most widely accepted certification for EMTs in the United States. The NREMT sets standards for the practice of EMTs, including knowledge, skills, and abilities.

To become certified by the NREMT, an individual must pass an exam that tests their knowledge and skills related to emergency medical care. The exam consists of two parts: a cognitive exam and a psychomotor exam. The cognitive exam tests an individual’s knowledge of emergency medical care while the psychomotor exam tests their ability to perform certain skills related to emergency medical care.

It typically takes between one and three months to complete the process of becoming certified by the NREMT. An individual must first complete an approved EMT training program before they can take the NREMT exams. After completing the training program, an individual can register for the exams with the NREMT website. Once registered, they will be able to schedule their exams at a testing center near them.

The cost for taking both parts of the NREMT exam is $110 USD ($80 USD for cognitive and $30 USD for psychomotor). If an individual fails either part of the exam, they may retake it at no additional cost as long as they do so within 12 months from when they first took it.

2. American Heart Association's Basic Life Support (BLS)

The American Heart Association's Basic Life Support (BLS) is a certification program that provides healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and treat life-threatening emergencies. BLS includes CPR, AED use, and other related emergency care topics. The program is designed to help healthcare providers respond quickly and effectively in an emergency situation.

BLS certification typically takes about 4 hours to complete. It consists of both online learning modules and hands-on practice sessions with an instructor. During the course, students will learn how to perform CPR, use an automated external defibrillator (AED), provide basic first aid, manage choking emergencies, and more.

To get BLS certified, you must take a BLS course from an AHA-approved provider. You can find a list of approved providers on the AHA website or by searching for “BLS classes near me” online.

The cost of BLS certification varies depending on the provider you choose and your location. Generally speaking, most courses cost between $50-$100 per person. Some providers may also offer discounts for groups or bulk purchases.

3. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is an advanced medical training program designed to teach healthcare providers the skills needed to recognize and treat life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies. It includes basic life support (BLS) skills such as CPR, airway management, and defibrillation, as well as more advanced interventions such as intravenous drug therapy and synchronized cardioversion. ACLS courses are typically offered in two parts: a classroom-based lecture and a hands-on simulation lab.

The length of an ACLS course varies depending on the provider offering it, but most courses take between 8 and 12 hours to complete. Courses may be offered in one day or over multiple days, depending on the provider's schedule.

To get ACLS certification, you must first complete an approved course from an accredited provider. You can find approved providers by searching online or by asking your local hospital or medical center for recommendations. Once you have completed the course, you will receive a certificate of completion that you can use to apply for certification with the American Heart Association (AHA).

The cost of an ACLS course varies depending on the provider and location, but most courses range from $200-$500 USD. The cost of certification through AHA is usually around $50 USD.

4. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is a certification program designed to help healthcare providers recognize and treat life-threatening emergencies in infants and children. It focuses on the recognition of cardiopulmonary arrest, immediate post-cardiac arrest, acute arrhythmias, shock, and other respiratory or cardiovascular emergencies. The program includes an extensive review of basic life support (BLS) skills as well as the use of advanced airway management devices and pharmacological interventions.

The PALS certification course typically takes two days to complete. The first day covers the didactic portion of the course which consists of lectures, video presentations and interactive case studies. During the second day, participants are assessed on their ability to apply their knowledge in simulated clinical scenarios.

To obtain PALS certification, individuals must be healthcare providers such as physicians, nurses, paramedics or respiratory therapists who have a current BLS certification. They must also successfully pass both written and practical examinations at the end of the course.

The cost for PALS certification varies depending on your location and provider but typically ranges from $150 - $300 USD.

5. International Trauma Life Support (ITLS)

International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) is an internationally recognized program that provides comprehensive pre-hospital emergency trauma care. The program focuses on the assessment, stabilization, and transportation of trauma patients. It consists of a series of courses that teach medical professionals the skills necessary to assess and manage traumatic injuries in the pre-hospital setting.

The ITLS program consists of an 8-hour basic course and a 16-hour advanced course. The basic course covers topics such as patient assessment, airway management, hemorrhage control, spinal immobilization, shock management, and medical emergencies. The advanced course covers more complex topics such as trauma resuscitation, pediatric trauma care, special considerations for geriatric patients, and mass casualty incidents.

ITLS courses are offered by accredited instructors throughout the world. Most courses take place over two days or one weekend depending on the instructor’s availability. Participants must complete both the basic and advanced courses to receive certification from ITLS International.

The cost of ITLS courses varies depending on location but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD per person for both the basic and advanced courses combined.

6. Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)

Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) is an internationally recognized continuing education program that provides comprehensive prehospital trauma education to emergency medical providers. It is designed to improve the quality of care provided to injured patients and covers a wide range of topics including basic anatomy and physiology, assessment, management and treatment of traumatic injuries, airway management, and shock management. PHTLS courses are offered in two formats: a traditional 8-hour course or an online version which can be completed in four hours.

The 8-hour PHTLS course is typically offered by local hospitals, fire departments, EMS agencies, or educational institutions. The cost for the course varies depending on the provider and location but usually ranges from $100-$200. The online version of the course costs $75 and can be taken at any time from any computer with internet access.

PHTLS certification is valid for four years after completion of the course and must be renewed every four years in order to maintain certification status. In order to get recertified, individuals must complete either a 16-hour refresher course or an 8-hour update course.

7. National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT)

The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of emergency medical services. NAEMT provides education, training and certification for emergency medical technicians (EMTs). It also serves as an advocate for EMTs and their profession.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the required coursework and become certified as an EMT. To get certified, you must first complete a state-approved EMT course. After completing the course, you must pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam in order to be certified.

The cost of becoming an EMT varies depending on the state and program you choose. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500-$2,000 for tuition, textbooks, supplies and other fees associated with taking the course and passing the NREMT exam.

Once you are certified as an EMT, you can join NAEMT by paying annual dues which range from $25-$50 depending on your membership type. Membership benefits include access to educational resources, discounts on products and services related to EMS, networking opportunities with other EMS professionals and more.

8. Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)

Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) is a set of medical guidelines designed to provide the best care possible for casualties on the battlefield. It is based on the principles of Tactical Medicine and is used by all branches of the U.S. military. The goal of TCCC is to reduce preventable deaths from combat trauma by providing immediate, effective treatment in austere environments.

TCCC training can be completed in two days and includes lectures, skills labs, and scenario-based exercises. The course covers topics such as hemorrhage control, airway management, wound management, shock management, and evacuation considerations.

The cost for TCCC training varies depending on the provider and location; however, many providers offer discounts for military personnel or veterans. Training can be found through various organizations such as the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT), National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), and Military Advanced Education & Training Institute (MAETI).

9. Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (WEMT-B)

Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (WEMT-B) is a certification program designed to provide individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to respond to medical emergencies in remote settings. The WEMT-B program focuses on providing pre-hospital care, including patient assessment, stabilization, and evacuation. It also includes instruction in wilderness navigation, search and rescue, and environmental hazards.

The WEMT-B certification requires completing a minimum of 80 hours of coursework in person or online. This includes classroom instruction as well as hands-on training in simulated environments. The coursework must be completed within two years of enrollment.

To get certified as a WEMT-B, applicants must meet certain requirements such as being at least 18 years old, having current CPR/AED certification, having a valid driver’s license or equivalent identification card, and passing the NREMT Basic exam.

The cost for the WEMT-B certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $1,000-$2,500 USD. This cost covers tuition fees for the coursework as well as any materials needed for the program.

10. Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) is a certification program designed to give individuals the knowledge and skills necessary to provide pre-hospital emergency medical care. It is the first step in a career as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). EMRs are trained to assess patient condition, recognize signs and symptoms of illness and injury, provide basic life support, and transport patients safely to a medical facility.

The EMR program typically takes between 6-12 weeks to complete depending on the school or provider offering the course. The curriculum includes classroom instruction, practical skills training, and clinical experience. To become certified as an EMR, students must pass a written exam as well as a practical skills test.

To get certified as an EMR, you must find an accredited program that offers the certification. Most states require that programs be accredited by either the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) or another state-approved organization. You can search for accredited programs online or contact your local health department for more information.

The cost of becoming an EMR varies depending on which program you choose to attend and where it is located. Generally speaking, tuition costs range from $500-$1500 for classroom instruction and practical skills training. Additional fees may apply for textbooks, uniforms, background checks, certifications exams, etc.

Do You Really Need a Emergency Medical Technician Certificate?

The answer to this question largely depends on the individual and their career goals. For those who are looking to pursue a career as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), having an EMT Certificate is essential. With this certificate, individuals will be able to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in providing emergency medical care in a variety of settings.

In order to obtain an EMT Certificate, individuals must complete a state-approved training program that includes both classroom instruction and clinical experience. Upon completion of the program, students will take a written exam that assesses their understanding of the material they have learned. Those who pass the exam will then receive their certification from the state.

Once certified, EMTs can become employed by various organizations such as hospitals, fire departments, private ambulance companies, and police departments. This certification also allows EMTs to respond to 911 calls and provide emergency medical care until more advanced personnel arrive on scene. Additionally, some states may require EMTs to maintain their certification through continuing education or recertification exams every few years in order to remain qualified for employment.

Overall, whether or not you need an EMT Certificate largely depends on your career aspirations and goals. If you plan on working as an Emergency Medical Technician then obtaining your certification is essential for success in this field.

Related: Emergency Medical Technician Resume Examples

FAQs About Emergency Medical Technician Certifications

1. What certifications are available for Emergency Medical Technicians?

Answer: The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) offers four levels of certification for Emergency Medical Technicians: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, AEMT, and Paramedic.

2. How long does it take to become an Emergency Medical Technician?

Answer: It typically takes between six months and two years to complete the training necessary to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). The exact amount of time can vary depending on your state’s requirements and which level of certification you are seeking.

3. How much do Emergency Medical Technician certifications cost?

Answer: The cost of obtaining an EMT certification varies depending on the state in which you are located, as well as the type of certification you are pursuing. Generally, the cost ranges from $100 to $600 depending on the certification level and any additional fees required by your state.

4. What is the difference between an EMT-Basic and an EMT-Intermediate?

Answer: An EMT-Basic is trained in basic life support skills such as CPR, airway management, patient assessment and splinting techniques; while an EMT-Intermediate has advanced knowledge and skills including patient assessment, intravenous access, medication administration and advanced airway management techniques.

5. Are there continuing education requirements for Emergency Medical Technicians?

Answer: Yes, most states require that all certified EMTs complete a certain number of hours in continuing education courses each year in order to maintain their certification status.