How To Become An EMT In Florida? [2024 Ultimate Guide]

Prospective EMT candidates, who wish to get EMT certification in Florida (Florida Emergency Medical Technician certification), must pass an exam organized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). But to become an EMT in Florida, they need to complete an EMT training program from a state-approved training college or institute. EMT certification in Florida is valid for a period of two years only.

In order to pass the NREMT exam, the candidate must first pass the written exam, which consists of 70-120 questions that must be completed in two hours. This is a computerized exam that may be adjusted to be challenging. Airway management, ventilation, oxygen treatment, EMS operations, cardiology, health crises, and general trauma are among the subjects covered in the test.

A candidate’s competence to manage traumatic events such as fractures, hemorrhages, joint dislocations, and so on is examined during the practical exam. Medical situations, such as diabetic emergencies, strokes, and cardiac arrest, will also be tested. If a candidate fails the examination, he or she has 15 days to re-test for the next examination. A candidate might take as many as six attempts to pass the tests.

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If you do not renew your certificate before or on the expiration date, it will be declared inactive involuntarily. If you do not recertify your certificate within 180 days of its expiration, it will become null and void, and you will have to go through the full certification process again.

Florida EMT education requirements

Florida allows prospective Emergency Medical Technicians to use any of several pathways to demonstrate that educational requirements have been met. Most alternatives, however, are only open to people who have completed the study and test procedure.

Traditional Method: A person seeking certification for the first time must finish a program recognized by the state of Florida. In the resources portion of the EMT/paramedic certification section (http://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/emt-paramedics/resources/index.html), the Department of Health has provided a list of providers. Prospective students can observe the proportion of first-time examinees who passed as well as the percentage of re-examination applicants who passed, thanks to the Department’s school-by-school examination results.

Students who complete their EMT degrees via universities generally complete the curriculum in roughly four months, or one semester, including fieldwork.

Other Techniques: Out-of-state EMTs can use their licenses as proof that they have satisfied educational requirements; the license verification form asks basic questions regarding the educational program.

The current status on the National Registry can also be used to show that educational criteria have been satisfied. This is the approach used by the licensing agency for military-trained candidates.

A person who is licensed as a paramedic is deemed to have completed the Florida EMT requirements of education.

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What is the process of becoming an EMT in Florida??

Step 1: Get Trained 

Candidates in Florida must first successfully finish an EMT training program at a state-approved institution.

Step 2: Submission of Application for National Certification

To begin, you must first create a new account. Go to the NREMT website and click “Create New Account” to get started.

After that, the candidate must create a new application by hovering over the “Create Initial Entry Application” link and clicking it.

After completing the online application procedure, the candidate must pay the application cost.

The status of the application and the “Authorization to Test” (ATT) Letter should be reviewed on the NREMT website’s homepage on a regular basis. Sign in using your username and password, then select “Check Initial Entry Application Status” from the drop-down menu.

The website has submitted the candidate’s details if “Submitted” appears beside “Course Completion Verification”. It also connotes that the approval has been granted by the education program director.

However, if “Not Submitted” appears beside “Application Payment”, it means that the candidate needs to make the payment of the fees for getting the ATT Letter.

After the course completion process has been checked by the education program director and the payment of the application fee has been made, the link “Print ATT Letter” will appear.

After taking the printed ATT Letter, the candidate needs to set the timetable for the NREMT exam as per the procedure, provided in the letter.

All the practical examinations of NREMT will be managed by the state-approved training programs.

Step 3: Apply for a License

If “Submitted” shows beneath “Course Completion Verification,” the website has submitted the candidate’s information. It also implies that the education program director has given his or her approval.

If “Not Submitted” shows next to “Application Payment,” it signifies that the candidate must pay the costs in order to get the ATT Letter.

The link “Print ATT Letter” will appear when the education program director has reviewed the course completion procedure and the application money has been paid.

After receiving the printed ATT Letter, the candidate must schedule the NREMT test according to the method outlined in the letter.

The state-approved training programs will be in charge of all NREMT practical tests.

Step 4: Background Check of the Candidate

Last but not least, an applicant must pass a criminal background check in order to finish the certification procedure. The candidate must contact the EMT course organizer to do so. Background checks may also be required for job purposes.

Read more: How Much & What Is The NREMT Passing Score In 2022?

EMS training centers in Florida

Eastern Florida State College

Address: 1519 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, Florida- 32922

Contact Number: (321) 632-1111

Official Website: http://www.easternflorida.edu/ 

Broward College

Address: 111 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida- 33301

Contact Number: 954-201-7350

Official Website: http://www.broward.edu/Pages/home.aspx 

Hillsborough Community College

Address: Southshore Campus, 551 24th Street North East, Ruskin, Florida- 33570

Contact Number: (813) 253-7000

Official Website:http://www.hccfl.edu/ 

Miami Dade College

Address: 300 North East 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida- 33132-2204

Contact Number: 305-237-8888

Official Website: http://www.mdc.edu/main/ 

Palm Beach State College

Address: 4200 Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida- 33461

Contact Number: 561-868-3350

Official Website: http://www.palmbeachstate.edu/ 

Pensacola State College

Address: 1000 College Boulevard, Pensacola, Florida- 32504

Contact Number: (850) 484-1759

Official Address: http://www.pensacolastate.edu/ 

Seminole State College of Florida

Address: 100 Weldon Boulevard, Sanford, Florida- 32773

Contact Number: 407-708-4722

Official Address: http://www.seminolestate.edu/ 

St. Petersburg College

Address: P.O. Box- 13489, St. Petersburg, Florida- 33733-3489

Contact Number: 727-341-4772

Official Website:http://www.spcollege.edu/ 

Valencia College

Address: P.O. Box- 3028, Orlando, Florida- 32802

Contact Number: 407-299-5000

Official Website:https://valenciacollege.edu/ 

College of Central Florida

Address: 3001 Southwest College Road, Ocala, Florida- 34474-4415

Contact Number: 352-873-5800

Official Website:http://www.cf.edu/ 

Daytona State College

Address: 1200 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida- 32114

Contact Number: (386) 506-3000

Official Website: http://www.daytonastate.edu/ 

Edison State College

Address: 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, Florida- 33919

Contact Number: 239-489-9300

Official Website:http://www.edison.edu/ 

Gulf Coast State College

Address: 5230 West Highway 98, Panama City, Florida- 32401

Contact Number: 850-769-1551

Official Website:http://www.gulfcoast.edu/default.htm 

Indian River State College

Address: 3209 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida- 34981

Contact Number: 772-462-4772

Official Website:http://www.irsc.edu/ 

Florida Gateway College

Address: 149 Southeast College Place, Lake City, Florida- 32025

Contact Number: 386-752-1822

Official Website: https://www.fgc.edu/ 

Lake Technical Center

Address: 2001 Kurt Street, Eustis, Florida- 32726

Contact Number: 352-589-2250

Official Website: http://www.laketech.org/ 

Manatee Technical Institute

Address: 6305 State Road 70 East, Bradenton, Florida- 34203

Contact Number: 941-751-7900

Official Website: http://manateetech.edu/ 

Polk State College

Address: 999 Avenue H Northeast, Winter Haven, Florida- 33881

Contact Number: 863-297-1000

Official Website:http://www.polk.edu/ 

Sarasota County Technical Institute

Address: 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota, Florida- 34233

Contact Number: (941) 924-1365

Official Website:http://www.scti.edu/ 

Tallahassee Community College

Address: 444 Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, Florida- 32304

Contact Number: (850) 201-6200

Official Website: https://www.tcc.fl.edu/Pages/default.aspx 

First Coast Technical College

Address: 2980 Collins Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida- 32084

Contact Number: 904-547-3282

Fax: 904-547-3388

Official Website: http://fctc.edu/ 

Information about the EMT program in Florida

Criteria for Eligibility

On the path to becoming an EMT in Florida, you must meet the following general requirements:

• The program is only open to students who are 18 years old or older.
• The student must pass the tenth grade or high school level.
• All students must have a valid driver’s license.
• All students should maintain a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.
• Some institutions may additionally require students to submit their ACCUPLACER or COMPASS exam results. This exam assesses the student’s English proficiency as well as his or her mathematical abilities.
• Measles, chickenpox, mumps, diphtheria, rubella, tetanus, hepatitis B, and pertussis vaccine proof are also required to be supplied.
• Within the previous 12 months, students must present TB-negative results, a chest X-ray, and flu vaccination. Because students come into touch with patients throughout their clinical internships, this is required.
• In addition, a drug test and a criminal background check are required.

You can get more about: What Jobs Can You Get With EMT Basic?

Coursework

This is the general coursework that a student is required to study:

• EMT systems
• Legal and ethical issues
• Florida EMS rules and laws
• Vital signs
• Basic anatomy and physiology
• Airway management
• Oxygen techniques
• Respiratory, cardiac, diabetic, poison/overdose, environmental, gynecology, and obstetrics emergencies
• Infants and children
• Spine, head, neck, and chest injuries
• Injuries to soft tissues and musculoskeletal
• Patient assessment
• Ways to handle multiple patients
• Ways to lift and move patients in a proper manner
• Handling hazardous conditions

The coursework is divided according to the levels of the program.

Duration and Fees

In Florida, the cost of an EMT-basic curriculum is between $2,400 and $3,300. Around $5,622 is required for the paramedic program. A basic EMT curriculum takes around three months to finish, whereas a paramedic program takes about ten to eleven months.

Florida EMT Contact Information:

Florida Department of Health

EMS Advisory Council

Phone: 850-245-4444

Email: [email protected]

Mailing Address

Florida Department of Health

4052 Bald Cypress Way

Tallahassee, FL 32399

The above article is intended to provide you with the necessary information to be able to participate in the training process and get an EMT certificate in Florida. We hope they can help you understand how to become an EMT in Florida.