EMTOdds of Getting In

The odds are quite good. EMT is a demand occupation, which means there are plenty of jobs. (Thank you, baby boomers, for all of your bad lifestyle choices.) The number of EMT jobs is expected to grow by one third during this decade. The training (about 100 hours) and testing to become a basic level EMT are not difficult. You don’t need a rocket science intellect to succeed. Courses are offered frequently by colleges and employers and take about 3 months to complete. Certification is usually awarded by state health departments. There is also a National Registry of EMTs.

If you want to become an intermediate or paramedic EMT, much more training is required. It can require 1,000 hours for intermediate and 1,300 for paramedic and take as long as 2 years to complete. You will be a basic EMT first. Higher level skills can command more and better job offers. A flight EMT will require additional specialized training. A high turnover rate (see Odds of Hanging On) helps to ensure an ongoing number of EMT job openings.