How do I get EMT certified?
Hybrid Online EMT Course with SoCal EMT/Fire (good for during the school year, locals)
What do I do when I’ve finished the hybrid online course & skills practice?
How much does it cost to get certified?
What is the format of the exams and how difficult is it?
How should I prepare for the exam?
What are the clinical hours?
More Details on SoCal Fire EMT Course
What is the process for state certification?
Hybrid Online EMT Course with SoCal EMT/Fire (good for during the school year, locals)
- 39 chapters of “classroom” material, each with a pretest and test (must complete sequentially) - this is ONLINE
- One 4-hour skills training session in Upland - this is IN PERSON (register with instructor beforehand)
- 365 days to complete the course
- It is to your advantage to take your own handwritten notes for this!
- Format varies based on location
- In Classroom learning with an instructor teaching content and skills
- Usually 2-3 months with weekday and/or weekend options
What do I do when I’ve finished the hybrid online course & skills practice?
- Schedule your final written exam and skills evaluation (both on same day)
- Do your clinical hours (24 hrs)
- Take the NREMT (must do this on your own via NREMT website)
- Get state certified (details below)
How much does it cost to get certified?
- Please contact us for more information on costs and funding opportunities at [email protected]
- For the hybrid course, it is equivalent to taking a 0.5 credit course. You must put in the work!! You get 1 year to do it, so how you distribute your time is up to you.
- Many people do Option 2 over the summer so they can focus on school. Classroom hours will depend on your location but roughly 160 hours for didactic and skills + 24 hours for clinical = 184 hours
What is the format of the exams and how difficult is it?
- Course final exam: 150 multiple choice questions, 4 hours allotted, 80% is passing + Skills Evaluation (passing is up to your evaluator, there is no numerical score)
- This exam is comparatively easier than the NREMT; it is very similar to the questions from the online course’s chapter tests (hint: STUDY THOSE!)
- NREMT: 70-120 multiple choice questions, 2 hours allotted
- This is a computer adaptive test-- the more questions you answer right, the harder it gets (but then you have to do less questions)
- See NREMT website for more specifics on the NREMT (Cognitive Exam)
How should I prepare for the exam?
- Course Written Exam: Redo the chapter tests!!! Do the quizzes under “Study Plan” in the course. Review your notes. Retype your handwritten notes. Teach someone the material.
- Course Skills Exam: Practice the 16 skills (these can be found online, in the Google Drive) on a dummy, a friend, your dog, anyone really. Understand why each step is being done.
- NREMT: Same thing as course written. Consider getting a prep book for more individualized practice for NREMT type questions.
What are the clinical hours?
- 24 hours of actually working as an EMT in the real world (very exciting!!)
- Choose to work in an ER or do a ride-along on an ambulance (or both)
- ER shifts are 12 hours (so you could do 2 of these and be done)
- Ride-Along shifts are 8-10 hours
More Details on SoCal Fire EMT Course
- Skills training sessions are held at the SoCal EMT/Fire Upland location on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month (8am-12pm)
- Final Exam & Skills Evaluation are held on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month (8am-12pm for test + however long you take for skills)
- Any other very specific questions can be directed to the email: [email protected]
What is the process for state certification?
- Fill out the “EMT Initial Certification Application” for LA County Emergency Medical Services Agency form
- Click this link: http://dhs.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dhs/!ut/p/b1/04_Sj9Q1MjU1MjewsDDSj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfGjzOLdDAwM3P2dgo38PYxcDBy9TQMNfA0dPTyCTfTD9aMIKcmN8nIEALkHpjI!/
- Click the “EMT Info” tab
- Click “Application for Initial Certification”
- Do your Live Scan (live scan = fingerprinting for background check)
- Fill out the LA County EMSA Live Scan form
- Click this link: http://dhs.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dhs/!ut/p/b1/04_Sj9Q1MjU1MjewsDDSj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfGjzOLdDAwM3P2dgo38PYxcDBy9TQMNfA0dPTyCTfTD9aMIKcmN8nIEALkHpjI!/
- Click the “EMT Info” tab
- Click Live Scan Request Form
- Schedule an appointment to have a live scan done at a convenient location (have the administrator fill out the bottom of the form when you are there)
- Mail all the following documents to this address: Los Angeles County EMS Agency Office of Certification 10100 Pioneer Blvd, Suite 200 Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
- Application Form
- Course Completion Certificate
- NREMT Card
- BLS for the Healthcare Provider (CPR cert card)
- Live Scan Form
- Receipt of Payment