Training, licensing, and certification for EMTs and paramedics in the state of Wyoming are governed by the Wyoming Department of Health - Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS). This state bureau must approve all the applicants and certifications before the individual can be employed in the state as an EMT.
The state of Wyoming and the Department of Health - Office of EMS also requires the individual who has completed EMT training to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam and recognizes the exam certification if taken in other states. In addition, passing of a state approved exam is also required before state licensing is issued. This exam follows the 1994 EMT B National Standard Curriculum.
Wyoming has four levels of training certification: Basic Emergency Care (BEC), EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate and EMT-Paramedic.
To become a certified EMT or paramedic in the state of Wyoming an individual:
• must be at least 18 years of age
• must enroll in EMT-basic training and pass EMT certification
• 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 WY driver’s license
Information and Requirements
EMTs may not work in Wyoming at any level of EMS services provider without Wyoming EMS Office EMT Certification.
WY EMT training includes:
- Basic Emergency Care (BEC) is similar to the First Responder course developed by the Department of Transportation and consists of 40 hours of training.
- Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B) follows the basic National Standard curriculum and program enhancements from the Wyoming EMS office. The courses prepare EMTs to work for EMS services or ambulance services. The program is 160 hours in length.
- Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate (EMT-I) is one of the most diverse EMT-Intermediate training programs. The training courses will include EMS skills including, but not limited to: manual defibrillation, IV therapy, general pharmacology and medical emergencies, cardiovascular emergencies, and advanced airway management.
Training courses at the Wyoming EMS are scheduled in the spring or fall cycles.
EMT and Paramedic Training programs in Wyoming must meet minimum standards for coursework and clinical experience to be accredited. These 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 WY EMT training program and paramedic training level.
Continuing Education (CE) and Recertification
Wyoming EMTs must take the recertification exam in Cheyenne, WY at the Emergency Medical Services Office. (office information below) EMTs must schedule a specific time with the Office of EMS staff in order to take the test. EMT Basics need to schedule no later than 3:00 p.m. EMTs holding advanced levels of certification need to test no later than 2:00 p.m. All EMT recertification testing must be completed inclusively between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Recertification materials need to be submitted by December 1st to insure return of new certification by December 31st.
There are additional requirements for pursuing EMT and paramedic training in each region, and details of these are fairly common state to state. Read the articles EMT Training and EMT Paramedic Training for details and a list of these requirements.
EMS Reciprocity
Wyoming does not offer EMT Reciprocity with the National Registry at any of the EMT certification levels. To be certified in WY individuals must pass a transition process which involves Wyoming state testing. All applicants must take a state-approved test for official Wyoming certification.
Additional Information
Currently Wyoming EMTs are employed either full- or part-time, with about a third of the state’s EMTs working as volunteers. The Wyoming EMS website provides a helpful link, “EMS Employment Opportunities in Wyoming”, which publishes current employment openings by EMS agencies looking to employ EMTs.
Most WY EMT training programs are through local community colleges, technical schools and medical centers. Casper College in Casper, WY and Laramie County Community College in Laramie, WY are just two of Wyoming’s paramedic schools offering certification courses.
Contact Information
Office of Emergency Medical Services
6101 Yellowstone Road
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7955
(888) 228-8996 Toll Free in Wyoming
For Recertification questions or to schedule a time to test - call 777-7955 in Cheyenne
or 1-888-228-8996 (Wyoming callers only).