EMT training and EMT paramedic training, licensing, instructor courses, and certification in the state of Connecticut are governed by the Connecticut Department of Health Emergency Medical Systems. This state bureau system must approve all the applicants, as well as their certifications, before the individual can be employed in the state as an EMS provider.

As of 2010, the state of Connecticut adopted changes for the names of their EMS levels. They are now:

• Emergency Medical Responder-EMR (from Medical Response Technician)
• Emergency Medical Technician-EMT (from EMT-Basic)|
• Advanced Emergency Medical Technician-AEMT (from EMT-Intermediate)
• EMT-Paramedic

In addition, the state of Connecticut adopted the National EMS Education Agenda for the Future’s National EMS Education Standards for the Emergency Medical Responder, Emergency Medical Technician, and Paramedic provider levels. Furthermore, for certification, all initial programs are to follow the EMS Education Standards for the National Scope of Practice Model content for all certification levels with the exception of the AEMT level, which will remain addressing the EMT Intermediate (1985) National Standard Curriculum for certification.

To become a certified EMS provider in the state of Connecticut an individual:

• must be at least 18 years of age
• must pass a criminal background check
• must possess current CPR certification
• must have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent
• must pass a drug screening
• must have a valid CT driver’s license
• must pass a physical
• must enroll in EMT-basic training and pass EMT certification (for paramedic licensure)
• must possess sponsorship and/or letters of support (for paramedic licensure)

Connecticut EMT Training, Licensing, and Certification Requirements

Training programs in Connecticut must meet minimum standards for coursework and clinical experience to be accredited. These CT programs vary in length and credit hours due to the variables in each program. In addition to the program course hours, clinical experience is required for each training program and certification level.

Emergency Medical Responder-EMR training recommends 40 to 60 hour programs, with new EMR programs requiring 60 hours to address breadth and depth of knowledge and to assess of EMR candidate competency. Emergency Medical Technician-EMT training recommends 150-190 hours. Advanced Emergency Medical Technician-AEMT training recommends about 100 hours and must be addressed to follow the National Standard Curriculum for EMT Intermediates. Paramedic Programs follow National EMS Education Agenda for the Future and national accepted and approved guidelines.

Connecticut EMS training programs include the following core competencies:
(not a complete list – just an overview)

1. Airway Management and Patient Respiratory Emergency Assessment and Interventions Scope of Practice including; patient assessment for respiratory distress and failure; interventions for establishing and maintaining patent airways, ventilation, and managing respiratory distress
2. Cardiac Care, including Cardiac Arrest Management for both adults and pediatrics
3. Certification such as CPR for Healthcare
4. Medical Emergency Assessment and Care
5. Trauma Assessment and Care
6. Obstetrics and Gynecological Emergencies
7. Pediatrics and Other Special Care Populations
8. EMS Operations, including any of the following: medical‐legal issues, documentation and
communications, multiple casualty even management, Incident Command System topics, etc.
9. Skill Maintenance: airway management, oxygenation and ventilation, including suctioning and basic adjunct use (EMR, EMT, and AEMT; approved advanced
airway AEMT only), Cardiac Care including cardiac arrest management (CPR Healthcare Provider level), Patient Assessment – Medical, and Patient
Assessment – Trauma, Spinal Immobilization (seated, standing, supine; assist only – EMR)
10. Simple Immobilization (Long bone and joints –all levels; traction splinting EMT and above), hemorrhage control and shock management (including
intravenous therapy, for AEMT’s), and medication administrationContinuing Education/Certification and License Renewal

Licensing and certification is valid for three years for all Connecticut EMS levels.
Recertification expectations include the following:

1. EMR recertification program is 18 hours
2. EMT recertification program is 30 hours
3. AEMT recertification requirements are 30 hour EMT recertification requirement plus a 23 hour program
of AEMT (ALS) appropriate continuing education.

In addition, all candidates seeking recertification must successfully complete cognitive and psychomotor examinations appropriate for their certification level at the completion of the recertification training. The written recertification examination may not be completed more than one year prior to the technician’s recertification date.

Reciprocity

Connecticut recognizes all NEMT-B levels and, once state certificated, you can become certified as a CT EMS provider. The only exception is the EMT-Paramedic level which requires an applicant to have a sponsoring doctor before applying for certification. There are some states that are exempt from this requirement however, so be sure to check with the CT Dept. of Health EMS Services. In addition, the certification from another state must be CURRENT throughout all testing to be eligible to take the National Registry written exam.

Additional Information

Simply passing the NREMT doesn’t enable you to work as a paramedic in the state. You need to be licensed by the state of CT to become licensed in Connecticut, you will need to fill out an application, pay the $150.00 fee, and provide proof that you successfully passed the NREMT-P certification exam.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2011, the average paramedic salary is approximately $34,030 per year, with top salaries reaching over $40,000.

Requirements for pursuing training are fairly similar in each region, and details of these are somewhat 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.

Contact Information

CT Dept. of Health/EMS Office
PO Box 340308
410 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06134
Phone: 860-509-8000

Phone: (office staff) 860-509-7975

The following are EMT training and paramedic schools in CT that offer accredited EMT paramedic training programs:

Capital Community College – Hartford, CT

Norwalk Community College - Norwalk, CT

Stamford Emergency Medical Services – Stamford, CT

Connecticut Medical Training Academy - Windsor Locks, CT

Danbury Hospital / Western Connecticut Health Network - Danbury CT

Goodwin College