Paramedic Certification and Certificate Program Information
Research paramedic certification and certificate programs. Get information about courses, licensing options, requirements and salary to make an informed decision about your education.
Paramedic Certificate Program
Paramedics are the highest level of pre-hospital emergency care providers. Students in these programs learn how to respond to emergency calls and perform first-respondent medical care. Programs are offered at postsecondary schools, such as community colleges and technical schools, and they also are offered at some medical institutions in cooperation with an academic institution. Program durations vary and can last between 8 and 17 months.
Education Prerequisites
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a student interested in a paramedic certificate program typically needs a high school diploma or its equivalent. Some programs may allow applicants to apply without these credentials, but they most likely will need to take placement tests and complete any necessary remedial courses. In addition, he or she should complete emergency medical technician (EMT) training at the basic level and hold a current state EMT or National Registry EMT (NREMT) certification. A minimum amount of practical experience is also required by some programs. Physical exams, drug screening and background checks are also common prerequisites.
Course Topics
This type of program typically comprises traditional classroom instruction, laboratory practice and clinical experience. Traditional classroom instruction may cover:
- Human anatomy
- Airway control
- Physiology
- Managing medical emergencies
- Trauma emergencies
- Special needs patients
- Advanced life support
- Pharmacology
Employment Outlook and Salary Information
According to 2008-2018 BLS projections, employment for paramedics has an average growth rate of 9%. Two factors aiding this growth rate are more emergency calls coming from an increasing elderly population and the overcrowding of hospitals, which requires paramedics to spend more time with patients. Individuals with advanced credentials should have the most opportunities. May 2010 data from the BLS reported that EMTs and paramedics earned an annual average salary of $33,300.
Certification and Continuing Education Information
Paramedics must be licensed in each state; however, licensing requirements vary from state to state. The BLS stated that certification from NREMT suffices for many states, but others require paramedics to pass a state exam. To earn NREMT paramedic certification, candidates must be 18 years old, hold current basic level NREMT certification or state certification, complete an approved paramedic training program and have a current professional-level cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.
Students can pursue their studies by taking additional courses to earn an associate degree. Additionally, some credits may transfer to other health-related bachelor's degree programs, such as health science or health care administration.
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Online Paramedic Certification and Degree Program Information
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23 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Doctorate
- Master
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Bachelor
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- BS in Health Studies - Disaster & Emergency Management
- BS in Health Studies - General
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Master
- Bachelor
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Associate
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- AAS in Medical Assisting
- AS in Health Science
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School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arizona (3 campuses)
- California (16)
- Colorado (3)
- Florida (6)
- Georgia (4)
- Illinois (8)
- Indiana (2)
- Kentucky (1)
- Maryland (1)
- Michigan (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Missouri (2)
- North Carolina (2)
- New Jersey (3)
- Nevada (1)
- New York (2)
- Ohio (4)
- Oklahoma (1)
- Oregon (1)
- Pennsylvania (5)
- Tennessee (2)
- Texas (7)
- Utah (1)
- Virginia (3)
- Washington (3)
- Wisconsin (2)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arkansas (2 campuses)
- Arizona (6)
- California (25)
- Colorado (3)
- Columbia (D.C.) (1)
- Florida (6)
- Georgia (5)
- Hawaii (2)
- Indiana (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (2)
- Michigan (2)
- Minnesota (1)
- Missouri (3)
- Nevada (2)
- Ohio (1)
- Oklahoma (1)
- Pennsylvania (1)
- South Carolina (1)
- Tennessee (2)
- Texas (8)
- Utah (1)
- Virginia (1)
- Washington (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Doctorate
- Master
- Bachelor
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Associate
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- AA in Health Care Administration
- Associate of Arts - Health Care Administration/Electronic Health Records
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- Associate of Arts Foundations in Health Care Administration
- Associate of Arts Foundations in Health Care Administration/Medical Records
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- Non-Degree
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applications from Texas residents
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- MBA Dual Concentration: Healthcare Management and Project Management
- MBA Dual Concentration: Healthcare Management and Public Safety Leadership
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- MBA Dual Concentration: Project Management and Public Safety Leadership
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- Bachelor
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Associate
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- AS in Medical Assisting
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- Non-Degree
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must live within close proximity to school locations
- Must be graduated from high school by 2011
School locations:
- Arizona (1 campus)
- Florida (1 campus)
- Georgia (1)
- New Jersey (1)
- New York (4)
- Texas (3)
Classroom-Based Programs
- Associate
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Non-Degree
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- Certificate in Medical Assisting Bilingual Version (English/Spanish) Medical Assistant
- Diploma in Medical Assistant Bilingual (Spanish/English)
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate.
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- Master of Science in Education - Allied Health Teaching and Leadership
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- Master of Science - Nursing
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Bachelor
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- RN to BSN
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- BS in Health Science
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- California (1 campus)
- Colorado (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Texas (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Master
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- MS in Health Services Management
- Bachelor
- Associate
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must have either two or more years of college or active military status if you are under 24 years of age
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
