How To Become An EMT In Washington? [2024 Updated]

The process of becoming an EMT is far from quick and easy as it requires the candidates to spend a lot of time and effort in order to meet every requirement and pass all the necessary exams. However, with this article, the question “how to become an EMT in Washington” can be less confusing for you as we’ve compiled everything you need to prepare for the process.

Let’s take our free EMT practice test to pass the exam with a high score.

What are the requirements to become an EMT in Washington state?

In order to obtain EMT certification in Washington, individuals must pass a test administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). However, they must first complete an EMT training program from a state-approved college or school.

In order to pass the NREMT exam, the candidate must first pass the written exam, which consists of 70-120 questions that must be answered in two hours. This is a computerized exam that may be adjusted to be difficult. Airway management, ventilation, oxygen therapy, EMS operations, cardiology, health emergencies, and general trauma are among the topics covered in the test. A candidate’s competence to handle 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.

Requirements for EMT training

In most situations, a state-approved Emergency Medical Technician program needs to be completed. If the military training is essentially equal, it is also appropriate. A municipal or regional EMS and trauma care council, an accredited institution of higher learning, or a private vocational school may sponsor a Washington program. 

An authorized program will give a student handbook covering course requirements as well as clinical/internship sites for use in training. The instruction will be based on national training standards from 2009. A pupil as young as 17 years old may be authorized to begin training.

Besides, a total of seven hours of HIV/AIDS education is required for all the candidates. A list of approved providers (HIV/AIDS Training) has been published by the Department of Health.

Requirements for EMT Certificate In Washington

So how to become an EMT in Washington state? Here is the answer. 

The following are the pre-requisites that EMT applicants should meet:

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

To become an EMT in Washington, you must first complete a Washington State-approved EMT program, then pass the National Registry exams before submitting your application and payments.

Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P)

You must be 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete a Washington State authorized paramedic program, present proof of current EMT/AEMT licensure, pass the National Registry examinations, and submit your application and license fees to become a paramedic in Washington.

Besides, these are other requirements that must be met by applicants:

• Applicants must possess a current CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certificate.
• It is essential that the candidate passes the NREMT examination.
• It is mandatory for the candidate to pass a criminal background check.
• A document proving U.S. nationality must be submitted by the candidates.
• Any mental or bodily impairment should not be present in the candidate.
• Fluency in English is required for all EMT candidates.

If you care about How Much & What Is The NREMT Passing Score, you can try to visit our blog.

Requirements for Advanced EMT 

Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) licenses are now available in Washington, with a scope of practice that is slightly broader than that of a paramedic. The earlier classifications of Intermediate Life Support and Intermediate Life Support-Airway have been replaced by this one. It’s intended for EMTs who have a lot of expertise. Before beginning AEMT education, a person is expected to have a year of EMT experience. 

At this level, too, licensure is contingent on meeting National Registry requirements. An EMT seeking AEMT certification must complete another approved curriculum and pass a two-step examination. 

The AEMT practical examination is given under fairly conventional circumstances. Candidates can find skill sheets on the NREMT website that break down procedures into their required steps. The cognitive test is given in collaboration with Pearson VUE once more. The registration process is very similar to that of an EMT.

The same application material will be submitted by an EMT seeking a higher license, but with the word “upgrade” written on it.

How to become an EMT in Washington?

Step 1: Complete EMT Training

Before obtaining certification, the individual must complete EMT training successfully. Any community institution that offers training programs or the local EMS department can be contacted by the candidate.

Step 2: Applying for national certification

An applicant must pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) exam in order to obtain the national certification. The candidate does not need to submit his or her NREMT certification for recertification once they have obtained their Texas license. The National Registry is exclusively used by the state of Texas for the purpose of examination. Following the receipt of the license, the licensee must complete the required Continuing Education (CE) course. If a candidate is nationally registered, he or she is not required to complete Continuing Education (CE) in order to renew their Texas license.

Here are the steps to applying for the exam online:

• The first step should be to create an account on the NREMT website. An applicant has to visit the website and click on the “Create New Account” button.
• Next, candidates must create their initial entry applications by clicking on “Create Initial Entry Application”.
• The candidate will be required to pay the application fee shortly after filling out the online application. However, the application cost can be paid later as well.
• As soon as a candidate completes the online application, he/she must keep an eye on its progress by regularly checking for the “Authorization to Test” (ATT) letter. It is possible to verify the status of an initial entry application by logging into the website using your password and username, then clicking on “Check Initial Entry Application Status”.
• If “Submitted” appears beside “Course Completion Verification”, then information regarding the candidate has been provided to the website, and therefore, the approval for the course completion by the education program director is pending.
• If “Not submitted” appears alongside “Application Payment”, it means the candidate must make the payment before proceeding.
• Once the application payment and approval by the director of the education program are received, the link “Print ATT Letter” will appear.
• An ATT Letter should be printed, and candidates should set a timetable for taking the NREMT exam.

On the ATT Letter, the candidate will be instructed to schedule the NREMT examination by using the Pearson VUE website.

Read more: What Jobs Can You Get With EMT Basic?

Step 3: Background Check

The candidate must pass a criminal background check to complete the certification process. The candidate might do so by contacting his or her course coordinator.

Please note that Washington state law enables the Department of Health to request fingerprint-based background checks for licensure reasons, as stated in the application instructions. The Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigations may be used to conduct this investigation (FBI). If you’ve resided in another state or have a criminal record in Washington, this may be required. It is essential for you to pay for this on your own dime. The packet will be sent to the address provided in your application if you are chosen to complete the fingerprint-based background check.

Step 4: License Application

To apply for the license, you have to fill out the application by going through the instructions mentioned in the form. It is necessary to fill in the correct and complete information in the application form, otherwise; your application will get rejected. 

The following documents must be included in your application:

• A duplicate of the NREMT card
• Applicants must complete a licensure application. http://www.doh.wa.gov/ contains information about the application.

Remember not to send the documents to the address that is presented on the EMS Certification Application Packet. On your first day of recruit school, bring the following documents with you:

• Application for out-of-state recognition completed in ink by the EMS.
• Documentation of the completion of the HIV/AIDS prevention class.
• A copy of your current EMT card from the state and/or national registry.
• A copy to prove that you complete your class’s EMT-B course (if you have one).
• A copy of your photo ID (please note that both the picture as well as the test must be legible).

Other requirements:

If eligible, military-trained applicants must produce a DD-214 or NGB-22. Documentation of training will also be required by the licensing agency. A DD Form 2586 may be included in the documentation.

Military spouses and registered domestic partners may be able to speed up the licensing process. A copy of the marriage certificate or declaration/registration of partnership, as well as a copy of the military orders, will be required by the licensing office.

The Department of Health in Olympia will receive the applications. After the administrative examination, a license can usually be issued. However, some applications will need to be reviewed further. When an applicant answers “yes” to personal data queries, such as questions about the criminal background or disciplinary, this is the case.

EMTs coming from abroad

A candidate for reciprocity must show proof of state licensure or national certification. The individual must have recently passed an appropriate certification examination. Otherwise, you’ll have to take a test. The training is anticipated to meet the requirements of the US Department of Transportation. A license verification form is included in the reciprocity application packet and must be sent to the appropriate EMS Office.

Maybe you need NREMT Skills Sheets.

EMT certificate renewal options in WA

Every three years, licenses are renewed. Education and test or evaluation are required by the licensing agency. The ongoing training and evaluation program (OTEP) and continuing medical education (CME) are both acceptable options.

If you do not renew your certificate before or on the expiration date, your certificate will become 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.

This is WASHINGTON EMT Contact Information for you:

Office of Emergency Medical Services & Trauma System

P.O. Box 47853/ Olympia, Washington, 98504-7853/ phone: (360) 236-2828

Where can I get my EMT courses in Washington State?

Here are some training school locations and their contacts that you can consider:

	Address	Contact Number
Central Washington University (http://www.cwu.edu/)	400 East University Way, Ellensburg, Washington- 98926	509-963-1111
Skagit Valley College (http://www.skagit.edu/default.asp)	2405 East College Way, Mount Vernon, Washington- 98273	877-385-5360
Spokane Community College (http://www.scc.spokane.edu/)	1810 North Greene Street, Spokane, Washington- 99217-5399	1-800-248-5644 509-533-7000
North Seattle Community College (https://northseattle.edu/)	9600 College Way North, Seattle, Washington- 98103	206-934-3600
Skagit Valley College (http://www.skagit.edu/default.asp)	2405 East College Way, Mount Vernon, Washington- 98273	360-416-7600 877-385-5360
North Seattle Community College (https://northseattle.edu/)	9600 College Way North, Seattle, Washington- 98103	206-934-3600

If you care about the average EMT salary, you can try to visit our blog.

That’s everything you should know about how to become an EMT in Washington. We hope that our article is helpful for you. Please pay attention to every detail and prepare carefully or else you may not be qualified to get an EMT certificate.