Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

What is the difference between an EMT and a Paramedic?

There are several license levels of Emergency Medical Services workers. The nationally recognized levels are (from highest level of training to lowest)

• Paramedic (NRP)*
• Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)* Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
• The State of Rhode Island has one additional level: EMT-Cardiac (EMTC)* which is above AEMT but below Paramedic.

[EJD note - where does this link to - click here for detailed descriptions of each level]

*Note: You must be an EMT to take the AEMT, EMTC, or Paramedic courses.

• Airway Management and Oxygen Administration
• Trauma Management, Ambulance Operations, & Triage
• Patient Assessment and Vital Signs [more]

Students will also receive separate training & certificates in:

• Basic Life Support / CPR
• Incident Command System (100, 200, 700, & 800)
• Terrorism Awareness for First Responders

Pre-requisites

• Must be 18 years old and have High school diploma or GED
• High school students may take the course but cannot be licensed until 18 years old and have a HSD or GED

• Students must obtain EMT style pants, black shoes/sneakers/boots. The school will provide a uniform shirt.
• Students will also need a wristwatch for vital signs, a pen, notepad, and trauma shears (can be purchased at the school)
• Textbook is not included. [click here for information on where to purchase textbook]

Certification / Licensure

The EMT Program (formerly known as EMT-Basic) at 911Programs prepares graduates to sit for the National Registry of EMTs certification exam. 911Programs is an authorized test site for NREMT but students do not have to take the NREMT exam with us. 911Programs is an authorized site for final practical examination and students will take their final skills exams here. Upon certification by the NREMT, graduates may apply for state licensure. At the current time, only four states (NY, NC, MT, AK) do not require NREMT EMT certification for licensure. The NREMT map is updated daily and can be found here: https://www.nremt.org/maps