An emergency medical technician (EMT) plays a vital role in the health care system. Anyone in an accident or facing emergency medical problems will frequently see an EMT before they see other medical personnel. For those who want to join this field and are looking for information on how to become an EMT, regulations are set by state law and may vary depending on location. However, the process is generally the same for those looking to enter this promising and growing field.

The first step in becoming an EMT is to get a certification in CPR. While some EMT courses may have CPR certification as part of their training program, others will require potential students to be certified before enrollment. The best way to know for sure is to check with any potential EMT schools to see what their exact requirements are.

If the potential school requires CPR certification ahead of enrollment, several choices exist. Most communities have an American Red Cross branch or a branch of the American Heart Association. Both places offer fairly inexpensive CPR courses.

The second step to becoming an EMT involves completing an EMT-Basic course. These courses are often offered through community or junior colleges. Prices range from as low as $500 to as high as $800. The price generally depends upon how long the course takes and a basic EMT course can take as little three months or as long as six months. The exact length of the course often depends upon the individual state requirements.

After completing the classroom training, a potential EMT must sit for the National Registry EMT-Basic Exam (NREMT.) Taking and passing this exam is a requirement to gain the license. Depending upon the state, additional requirements, such as successfully passing the EMT psychomotor exam, may be required.

Following the passage of the NREMT, the holder of the license can work as an EMT-Basic. They may choose to continue on to become an EMT-Intermediate or a Paramedic. These advancements require additional licensure, at least a year of experience as an EMT-Basic and additional coursework. The additional coursework required varies by state, but generally includes courses in Advanced Life Support, trauma and pediatric care.

Although a career as an EMT can be a challenging and rewarding career all on its own, the career also has several transferable skills. This makes becoming an EMT a prime gateway career to nursing or firefighting.