LP Research Resources October 20, 2024

Online EMT & Paramedic School Training

EMT and First Responder training is one of the first steps towards Paramedic certification and Licensure. Obligations and conflicting schedules and commitments can certainly make this education seem impossible. Don’t abandon your goal of becoming an EMT or paramedic. EMS, EMT (Basic, Advanced, and Intermediate) and paramedic online classes could be the path for you. If your current circumstances and responsibilities prevent you from attending traditional classroom instructions, take into account the advantages of online courses. Recently more and more colleges, universities, and EMS training academies have added EMT & Paramedic school training studies to their curriculum.

Online school courses can be found beginning at the level of Ambulance and First Responder and continue through the highest level, that of an EMT paramedic.

Initial requirements are much the same as an EMS training school. You must be at least 18 years of age at time of the certification exams, physically fit, and possess your high school diploma or GED. You must be drug and alcohol addiction free. CPR certification is required as a prerequisite, however, some online EMT courses incorporate CPR training and certification within the course. Details will be given to you upon submission of your application. Most online academies have applications that can be mailed to you or downloaded and filled out online.

Benefits of Online EMT School Courses

You can begin your coursework as soon as you have registered; you are not held to the limitations of a customary classroom; transportation, work schedules, family obligations, and even finances (traditionally online courses are less expensive), are not a hindrance.

Another benefit of online instruction – if you have 24-7 access to a computer, you can work at your own pace. However, while online EMS courses offer flexibility and a “go at your own pace” agenda, you will have a “completion time” requirement. This completion deadline can be as little as a few weeks or up to a year, depending upon the course or courses you are taking. We found many online EMT training school courses offer completion at as little as 8 weeks (for accelerated online classes) to a completion time of four months, on up to one year for EMT-Basic.

Online Programs – You Must Know

Benefits always come with conditions, and online courses are no exception. Online learning can be challenging since the majority of the coursework is done on an independent basis. This calls for a significant amount of time commitment… to reading text materials, understanding the audio-visuals, preparing assignments and projects, and taking exams. You are very likely to spend 30-35+ hours each week for these areas of your online EMT education. How much time will vary according to your personal level of learning. Nonetheless, another benefit of working and learning online is that you can spend as much extra time as needed studying and reviewing information.

EMS and EMT Overview

The EMT online courses cover medical services and skills in depth. This is a list of the basics:

  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) • Ambulance Operations • Medical & Legal Issues • Hazardous Material (Hazmat) • Head Injuries • Pediatric Advanced Life Support • Advanced Cardiac Life Support

EMT online classes are presented through media: videos, internet links, powerPoints, and audio technology. Printed materials might also be used. Instructors are available through email and video chats, as well as other means of communication.

Each EMS instructional section will usually have a pre-test, post-test, and chapter test designed to test the student’s knowledge of the content covered in the chapter. You will be required to keep a certain grade (percentage) in order to continue the courses. Late work includes a penalty that involves a percentage taken off your grade. So despite the benefit of dictating your own schedule, participation means discipline; you will definitely be required to maintain and make weekly deadlines, on time, to avoid penalties.

Once coursework is completed, hand-on skill training and tests will be required. Usually referred to as Practical Skills Training, this often consists of only a few days, usually less that a full week. Many academies offer Travel Packages for students who live far from an area where Practical Skills Testing is available. These packages can include the cost of the course, E-book, night hotel stays, all meals, practical exam fee, uniform, student tools kit, airport shuttle, and shuttle to and from the hotel each day. An average travel package can be around $3,000 depending upon the school and location. Some travel packages are less, others go as high as $4,000.

Upon your successful completion of the online EMT classes, you will then be approved to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exams. After passing the NREMT, you will receive your NREMT EMT Certification.

Typical online course costs

Typical online course costs: University programs charge about $800-$1,000 for basic EMT training that lasts from one month to three months. Practical Skills Training will be additional costs, and, if not included, CPR courses can cost anywhere from $70 to $100, again, depending upon location of the training and testing center. Several online EMS academies have an average tuition of $1,200 to $1,400 which includes the basic course cost and the E-book.

Don’t Waste Your Money

Before applying to any online EMS course, check the schools’ accreditation. A good online academy will have courses approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE) for First Responders, EMTs, and paramedics and it will be recognized by the National Registry. Regardless of the school, it will be a useless education if it is not accepted for NREMT Certification. The top schools, like EMS1 Academy, will be accepted for certification and accreditation in several states, and providences. The best courses will have a curriculum that covers all EMT knowledge and skill requirements for the new EMT National Education Standards (NES).