EMT training and EMT paramedic training, licensing, and certification in the state of Nebraska are governed by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS).
The state of Nebraska has five levels of EMS licensing: Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate (EMT-I), and Paramedic.
The State of Nebraska, through accredited and approved EMS training, issues licenses for Emergency Medical Responders, Emergency Medical Technicians, Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians, and Paramedics as Out-Of-Hospital Emergency Care Providers. Licenses are also issued to Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support Services, Emergency Medical Services Training Agencies, and Distributive Learning Organizations. Individuals who are licensed as an Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate may renew and reinstate only.
To become a certified EMT or EMT paramedic in the state of Nebraska 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
- possess current immunization records
- must have a valid NE driver’s license
- must pass a physical
- must enroll in EMT-basic training and pass EMT certification (for AEMT, EMT-I, and paramedic licensure)
- must possess sponsorship and/or letters of support (for paramedic licensure)
Nebraska EMT Paramedic Training information
EMT and paramedic training in Nebraska can be accessed through courses offered on both 2-year and 4-year schools.
Both EMTs and paramedics must complete a Nebraska state certified EMT training course program that is state accredited in order to be certified. EMS training alone is not sufficient; it requires a state accredited program or courses. The state of Nebraska and the NDHHS also requires the individual who has completed EMT training and following, paramedic training, to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam and recognizes the exam certification if taken in other states.
The Nebraska EMS Program focuses on providing excellence in patient care throughout the state. Divided into four separate regions: Western, Central, Northeast, and Southeast, each region has its own specific EMS Specialist.
Each Ambulance Service, training agency, and hospital has the ability to receive EMS continuing education classes; therefore the state offers many options for training on site. All primary EMS training is arranged through licensed Nebraska EMS Training Agencies.
Additional EMS Training Information
EMT-Basics entering Nebraska EMS training programs with CURRENT certification from another state, but without National Registry certification, must take a practical skills exam at an approved training program and then successfully pass the National Registry of EMTs written exam. The certification from another state must be CURRENT throughout all testing to be eligible to take the National Registry written exam.
Nebraska paramedic training school programs are offered by two-year and four year schools throughout the state, with some training periods as little as one year for EMT Basic. All programs include an internship or work experience period that allows students to interact, with supervision, with patients. Some institutions include CPR in their coursework, others require CPR certification prior to applying. Here are just a few accredited Nebraska EMT and Paramedic training course schools:
Creighton University in Omaha, NE
McCook Community College in McCook, NE
Southeast Community College in Lincoln, NE
Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, NE
Contact Information
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
Phone: (402) 471-3121 OR (402) 873-5082