EMT and Paramedic training in Alaska is considered a professional career move, consisting of specific educational requirements providing the state of Alaska with the very best EMS services. Alaska EMT and paramedic training, licensing and certification are governed by two agencies. First Responders are certified by the Department of Health and Social Services, which governs the Emergency Medical Services Program, and Paramedics are licensed by the Department of Commerce and Economic Development. Emergency Medical Services are provided by EMTs and paramedics. Depending upon the region, there are 7 in Alaska, this can be either a paid or a volunteer position. You will want to check the region in which you are considering your AK training for specific requirements.
Alaska offers 5 levels of training:
- ETT~ Emergency Trauma Technician. This consists of approximately 40 hours of training in the basics of emergency medical care.
EMT-I ~ Emergency Medical Technician-I. This training is the equivalent to the National Standard EMT-Basic, and includes courses such as splinting, hemorrhage control, oxygen therapy, suction, CPR and use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). CPR certification is a pre-requisite and the course is approximately 120 hours in length.
3. EMT-II ~ Emergency Medical Technician-II. This training is just slightly above the level of the training for the National Standard Training Program for EMT-Intermediate. The EMT-II courses are just over 50 hours in length and train the students to initiate intravenous lines and administer fluids and certain medications. Students must have 10 patient contacts as an EMT-I as a prerequisite to enter an EMT-II training program be under the sponsorship of a department approved physician medical director to enter the EMT-II training.
4. EMT-III ~ Emergency Medical Technician-III. This Emergency medical training program is at least 50 hours in length, and includes (among other additional instruction) cardio care skills.
5. MICP ~ Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic. This is the training that continues after the EMT-III level.
NOTE: Defibrillator Technician. An additional 16 hours of training for EMT will authorize the EMT-I to use manual defibrillators and become certified as a defibrillator technician.
For paramedic training in Alaska, paramedic training students (or MICPs) train under the direct or indirect supervision of a physician.
Employment and licensing:
In order to be employed as an EMS personnel or paramedic in AK requirements include completion of the written examination of certification, and this must include a valid certificate and wallet card.
Once paramedic training is completed, an individual must meet the licensing requirements for the state of Alaska Division of Health, some of which include:
- Must be 19 years of age or older.
- Must be a high school graduate.
- Current immunizations.
- Provide a physician’s sponsor letter stating you will be under the supervision of a physician at all times, one approved by the board.
- Provide a certified copy of your paramedic program certification, signed and verifying completion of the EMT paramedic training program.
- Must complete the classroom and clinical rotation portions of the curriculum and complete the required 480 hour internship.
- Pass the written and practical NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians) exam.
- Provide other current licensing and fees.
Certification reciprocity
The state of Alaska will issue a license to individuals who have completed courses and education in another state if the individual can provide:
- Proof of a valid CPR credential or certification
- Copy of the valid state, territory, or National Registry certification
- Proof of successful completion of the written and practical examination, administered by the department, at the level of which the individual is applying for. This does not include those applying for EMT-I level
- Proof of evidence of sponsorship of a medical director, and this must be approved by the department
Contact Information
These are just a few of the requirements and procedures necessary for certification and licensing within the state of Alaska. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program in Alaska via email EMS Certification Specialist and EMS Specialist: (907) 465-3029.
OR - EMS Administrative Support at (907) 465-8741.
Division of Public Health - Office of EMS
EMS Unit
PO Box 110616
Juneau, AK 99811-0616
(907) 465-3027 (Office)
(907) 465-4101 (Fax)
Additional requirements for pursuing training exist in each region, and details of these are fairly common state to state. Read the articles found in EMT Training Top Tips and Paramedic Training Best Tips for details and a list of these requirements.