How Do I Become an EMT in Alabama?

EMT Certification Rundown:

Students must complete EMT training from a state-approved institute in order to get EMT certification in Alabama. Students receive their EMT certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, which provide registration to all the emergency medical technicians from all over the country. The student needs to pass both the written and practical NREMT exams, and then, they are certified as national EMT.

The candidate must pass the written exam, which is a test comprising around 70-120 questions that are required to be answered in 2 hours duration. This is an adjustable difficulty computerized exam. The exam includes topics, such as airway management, ventilation, oxygen therapy, EMS operations, cardiology, health emergencies and general trauma. In the practical examination, a candidate’s capability to handle traumatic situations, such as, fractures, bleeding, joint dislocations, etc., are tested. A candidate will also be tested on medical emergencies such as, diabetic emergencies, strokes, cardiac arrest, etc. If a candidate fails in the examination, he/she can re-test for the next examination after 15 days. Six attempts can be made by the candidate to pass the exams successfully.



What is required to obtain EMT certification in Alabama?

  • The prospective candidate must be at least 18 years old.
    The candidate must have completed his/her training from a state-approved training program in Alabama.
  • A CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification should be submitted by the candidate.
  • The candidate must have successfully passed the required NREMT exam in Alabama.
  • The candidate should be mentally and physically fit.
  • The candidate must be fluent in reading and writing English.
  • A background check is also compulsory to be certified as an EMT in Alabama.
  • A proof of citizenship in Alabama is also required to be submitted by the candidate.

Other EMT Certificate Considerations:

  • The candidate must submit an application along with the applicable fees to the state.
  • The candidate must have passed a state approved EMT exam.

What is the EMT Certification Process?

The process of EMT certification goes as follows:

Step 1: Take EMT Training

First of all, the student needs to take EMT training, but only from a state-approved training college or institute. In Alabama, there are five levels of EMT certification- Emergency Medical Responder, EMT-Basics, EMT-Intermediate, Advanced EMT, as well as Paramedic.

Step 2: Apply for National Certification

The exam for national certification is set by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). The candidate must create an account first, if he/she needs to apply for certification. This is done in the following process:

  • The candidate needs to create his/her account on the NREMT website- http://www.nremt.org/, by clicking on the option of “Create New Account”.
  • Next, click on the option of “Create Initial Entry Application”. This will create a new application through which, the candidate can apply for the exam.
  • Now, the candidate should pay the fees. It is better if he/she pays the application fee soon after completing the online application. Though, the candidate can also pay later.
  • After you have applied for the exam, you are required to check the status of your application from time to time, and check for your Authorization to Test (ATT) letter. You will find the letter on the homepage of NREMT website by logging in with the password and username through which, you created your account. Here, click on the option of “Check Initial Entry Application Status”.
  • If the website has submitted your details to the program you opted for, you will find ‘Submitted’ written next to the option of ‘Course Completion Verification’. This also indicates that it is waiting for approval from the program director.
  • However, if you see the option of ‘Not Submitted’ written next to the option of ‘Application Payment’ on your account, it means that you need to pay the fees before you get an ATT letter.
  • If you have paid the fees, and the course completion has been authorized by the education program director, this option will appear – “Print ATT Letter”.
  • Now, take out the print out of your ATT Letter and schedule or fix the date of your exam.

Important: The option of “Print ATT Letter” will appear on your NREMT account, only after completion of the verification process.

The ATT Letter will mention the instructions as to how the candidate can schedule his/her examination via “Pearson VUE” website.

However, the NREMT practical exams will be managed by state-approved training programs.

Step 3: Apply for the License

The third step that needs to be fulfilled by the candidate is the completion of “EMS Individual Licensure Application” process. The prerequisites for the application are a check on the background of the candidate, as well as a licensed photo.

 Step 4: Background Check

The Prospective EMT or Paramedic will have to pass a criminal background check.

 

EMS Training Centers in Alabama:

  • Bevill State Community College
    Address: P.O. Box- 800, Sumiton, Alabama- 35148
    Contact Number: 205-648-3271
    Official Website:http://www.bscc.edu/
  • Calhoun Community College
    Address: 6250, Highway 31 North, Tanner, Alabama- 35671
    Contact Number: (256) 306-2500
    Official Website:http://www.calhoun.edu/
  • Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards Commission
    Address: 2501, Phoenix Drive, Tuscaloosa, Alabama- 35405
    Contact Number: 800-241-2467 (toll free)
    Fax Number: 205-391-3747
    Official Website:http://www.alabamafirecollege.net/
  • Central Alabama Community College
    Address: 34091, US Highway- 280, Childersburg, Alabama- 35044
    Contact Number: 256-378-5576
    Fax Number: 256-378-2027
    Official Website:http://www.cacc.edu/
  • Faulkner State Community College
    Address: 1900, Highway 31 South, Bay Minette, Alabama- 36507
    Contact Number: (251) 580-2100
    Official Website:http://www.faulknerstate.edu/
  • Chattahoochee Valley Community College
    Address: 2602, College Drive, Phenix City, Alabama- 36869
    Contact Number: 334-291-4900
    Official Website:http://www.cv.edu/
  • Gadsden State Community College
    Address: 1001, George Wallace Drive, Gadsden, Alabama- 35903
    Contact Number: (256) 549-8200
    Official Website:http://www.gadsdenstate.edu/
  • Herzing University
    Address: 280, West Valley Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama- 35209
    Contact Number: (205) 916-2800
    Official Website:http://www.herzing.edu/
  • Jefferson Davis Community College
    Address: PO Box 958, Brewton, Alabama- 36427
    Contact Number: 251-809-1594
    Fax Number: 251-809-1596
    Official Website: http://www.jdcc.edu/mainindex.php
  • Jefferson State Community College
    Address: 2601, Carson Road, Birmingham, Alabama- 35215
    Contact Number: (205) 853-1200
    Official Website:http://www.jscc.cc.al.us/
  • Lawson State Community College
    Address: 3060, Wilson Road, South-west, Birmingham, Alabama- 35221
    Contact Number: 205-925-2515
    Fax: 205-925-3716
    Official Website:http://www.ls.cc.al.us/
  • Lurleen B. Wallace Community College
    Address: P.O. Drawer- 1418, Andalusia, Alabama- 36420
    Contact Number: 334-222-6591
    Official Website:http://www.lbwcc.edu/
  • Northwest-Shoals Community College
    Address: P.O. Box- 2545, Muscle Shoals, Alabama- 35662
    Contact Number: 256-331-5200
    Fax: 256-331-5222
    Official Website:http://www.nwscc.cc.al.us/
  • Southern Union State Community College
    Address: 1701, LaFayette Parkway, Opelika, Alabama- 36801
    Contact Number: (334) 745-6437
    Official Website: http://www.suscc.edu/
  • University of South Alabama
    Address: Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions, Department of Emergency Medical Services, 600, Clinic Drive, CCCB- Suite 400, Mobile, Alabama- 36688
    Contact Number: 251-461-1832
    Fax: 251-461-1823
    Official Website:http://www.southalabama.edu/alliedhealth/ems/
  • H. Councill Trenholm State Technical College
    Address: 1225, Air Base Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama- 36108
    Contact Number: 866-753-4544
    Official Website:http://www.trenholmstate.edu/
  • Wallace Community College
    Address: 1141 Wallace Drive, Dothan, Alabama- 36303
    Contact Number: (334) 983-3521
    Fax: (334) 983-6066
    Official Website:http://www.wallace.edu/
  • The University of West Alabama
    Address: Livingston, Alabama- 35470
    Contact Number: (800) 621-8044 (toll-free)
    Official Website:http://www.uwa.edu/
  • Wallace State Community College
    Address: 801, Main Street North-west, P.O. Box- 2000, Hanceville, Alabama- 35077-2000
    Contact Number: 256-352-8000
    Official Website:http://www.wallacestate.edu/

 

Alabama EMT Contact Information:

Alabama Department of Public Health Office of EMS and Trauma
The RSA Tower
201, Monroe Street, Suite- 750
Montgomery, Alabama- 36104
Contact Number: 614-888-4484/ 334-206-5383
Fax: (334) 206-5260[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

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