Becoming a paramedic is an exciting career path for anyone passionate about emergency healthcare and helping others, Paramedics play a vital role in providing urgent medical care and comfort in traumatic situations
If you’re interested in joining this essential profession, you probably want to know – how long does it take to become a paramedic?
The total time it takes to become a licensed paramedic can vary, but the general timeline is 1-2 years. This includes completing the required education, training, certifications, and exams to work as a paramedic.
In this complete guide, we’ll break down the key steps and timeline to become a licensed paramedic.
The Path to Becoming a Paramedic
The journey to becoming a paramedic comprises four core steps
- Earning a degree
- Gaining hands-on experience
- Passing required exams
- Securing state licensure
While each state has specific regulations, this is the typical process that aspiring paramedics follow.
Let’s explore each step in more detail.
Step 1: Complete Paramedic Education
The first step is completing a formal paramedic education program. There are a few options:
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Paramedic certificate program: Certificate programs provide targeted training in 9-18 months. They allow faster entry into the workforce.
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Paramedic associate degree: A 2-year paramedic associate degree expands on certificate programs. As well as paramedic training, it includes general education classes, preparing students for a bachelor’s degree.
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Paramedic bachelor’s degree: A 4-year bachelor’s degree in paramedicine or EMS provides the most extensive training. This path takes the longest but offers the most career advancement options.
The length varies, but diploma and certificate programs represent the quickest path to becoming a paramedic. Expect 1-1.5 years of full-time study.
Paramedic associate degrees take around 2 years. Bachelor’s degrees span 3-4 years. But they allow students to gain additional knowledge and skills through general education and elective courses.
When researching programs, look for ones accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This ensures quality education meeting national standards.
Step 2: Gain Hands-On Experience
Classroom learning only goes so far. Aspiring paramedics also need extensive hands-on experience.
Most programs incorporate clinical hours, allowing students to hone practical skills under supervision. This usually involves rotating through hospital departments like the ER, ICU, labor and delivery, and operating room.
Students also complete a set number of field experience hours. This on-the-job training occurs alongside licensed paramedics on ambulances and emergency response vehicles.
Expect around 500-1000 hours of clinical and field training. This vital experience cements classroom knowledge. Students gain first-hand exposure to the situations and skills required of paramedics.
Step 3: Pass Certification Exams
After finishing their education and training, prospective paramedics must pass certification exams. Requirements vary between states but usually include:
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NREMT cognitive exam – Tests medical knowledge and problem-solving abilities.
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NREMT psychomotor exam – Evaluates practical skills through simulations.
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Basic Life Support (BLS) – Assesses CPR and defibrillation skills.
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Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – Tests advanced resuscitation methods.
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Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – Covers pediatric emergency response.
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Other state-specific exams – May include trauma, airway management, OB-GYN, etc.
Passing these exams demonstrates competence across all areas of prehospital emergency care. It’s the gateway to paramedic licensure.
Step 4: Secure Your Paramedic License
The final step is obtaining state paramedic licensure. This involves submitting an application alongside documentation of your:
- Education credentials
- Exam results
- Clinical hours
- Fingerprints for a background check
With an approved application, you’ll get licensed as a paramedic! This allows legal practice within that state. You’ll also become eligible for National Registry certification through the NREMT.
How Long Does Paramedic Training Take?
Now let’s examine how long each phase of paramedic training takes:
Paramedic classroom education – 1-2 years
Full-time certificate programs take 9-18 months. Associate degrees span 2 years. And bachelor’s degrees take 3-4 years.
Clinical rotations – 500-1000 hours
With around 500-1000 clinical hours required, expect 6-12 months rotating through hospital departments and ambulance services.
Field experience – 500-1000 hours
You’ll also need extensive field experience shadowing licensed paramedics. This also takes 6-12 months depending on required hours.
Certification exams
After finishing education and training, allow 2-3 months to study for and pass your paramedic exams. Some may be scheduled immediately after completing a program.
Licensure application
Finally, leave 1-2 months to complete your state license application and receive approval.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Paramedic?
Adding up classroom time, clinicals, field experience, exams, and licensing, the full timeline to become a licensed paramedic is:
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Certificate program – 1-1.5 years
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Associate degree – 2 years
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Bachelor’s degree – 3-4 years
The certificate route allows the quickest entry into the field at around 12-18 months.
But associate and bachelor’s degrees build additional skills and knowledge over 2-4 years of study. This provides a strong foundation for an enriching, lifelong paramedic career.
While everyone’s journey is unique, this gives a rough guide on how long it takes to become a fully licensed paramedic.
Other Factors Impacting Timeline
Several other factors can influence an individual timeline:
Attending part-time – Studying part-time inevitably extends the timeline. Programs may take double the length.
Program prerequisites – Programs often require EMT certification plus healthcare experience. This can add several months upfront.
Failing exams – Failing any required exams may require retakes, adding weeks or months.
State regulations – Each state has specific license requirements that can impact timelines.
Location – Access to programs, clinical sites, and field experience affects individual timelines. Remote areas offer fewer options.
So while the average is 1-2 years, your personalized route to paramedic practice may be shorter or longer depending on circumstances.
Is Becoming a Paramedic Worth the Time?
Becoming a paramedic requires dedication and hard work. But joining this meaningful profession is deeply rewarding.
As a paramedic, you’ll:
- Save lives through emergency medical intervention.
- Provide compassionate care when people are most vulnerable.
- Form meaningful relationships with patients.
- Constantly learn new skills and medical capabilities.
- Get to work with your hands as part of an elite response team.
- Gain immense pride through your service to the community.
Paramedics enjoy stimulating careers that keep them challenged while making a profound difference.
While becoming a paramedic takes 1-4 years, the lifetime of fulfillment and opportunity is well worth the effort. By following the steps and gaining experience, you’ll be ready to thrive in this vital role.
It’s a long journey, but if you have the passion, it’s a small tradeoff for an endlessly rewarding career.
Starting Your Paramedic Journey
If becoming a paramedic feels like your calling, don’t hesitate to take the first step! Reach out to accredited programs and learn all the requirements for your state.
With hard work and dedication over 1-2 years, you can join the ranks of these everyday heroes. It’s a challenging yet deeply meaningful path.
The journey isn’t always smooth. But the fulfillment of saving lives and comforting people in desperate times makes the effort more than worthwhile.
EMT vs. Paramedic: RESPONSIBILITIES
EMTs and paramedics share many of the same responsibilities as first responders—providing timely emergency aid for those suffering from injuries or illnesses.
The major difference between EMTs and paramedics is that, with the exception of auto-injectors (such as the EpiPen), EMTs are not allowed to break the skin of their patients—that means no needles and no IVs.
Paramedics’ advanced training allows them to do everything an EMT does in addition to administering medication, starting IVs, and providing advanced airway management.
What Does a Paramedic Do?
Think of a paramedic as an EMT 2.0. A paramedic uses the vital EMT training as a foundation for learning more advanced techniques.
With the help of additional training and skills, paramedics can save lives in complicated situations where more limited EMT training might not be enough.
For individuals wanting to make as big a difference as possible as a first responder, the job of a paramedic really fits the bill. In addition to the life-saving techniques learned in EMT training, candidates also learn to provide these life-saving procedures:
- Administering shots
- Starting intravenous lines
- Drawing blood
- Advanced cardiac life support
Emergencies can happen at any time of day, on weekdays, or on weekends, so like their EMT counterparts, paramedics are on call 24-hours. Paramedics most often work in 9-, 12-, or 24-hour shifts and full-time paramedics often work 40 or more hours per week, depending on staffing.
A paramedic’s exact work hours, however, will be determined by where they work—information that is typically included in the job description.
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How do I become a paramedic?
Common work environments include: The first step in becoming a paramedic involves completing the formal education required for licensure. This typically involves completing a paramedic certificate program or a 2-year associate degree. Once an individual completes their paramedic education program, they must pass paramedic certification exams.
How long does it take to become an EMT?
The length of training depends on what type of certification you want. You can complete training for a basic EMT certification in three to six weeks. Following successful completion of a training program, you must pass a designated EMT certification exam through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) or through your state.
How much does a paramedic make a year?
Paramedics and EMTs also differ in their pay. On average, EMTs earn $37,482 per year in the U.S. Paramedics earn an average of $38,250 per year. With more advanced medical training, paramedics can more easily pursue other healthcare careers, such as physician assistant and medical assistant.
How many hours do you need to be a paramedic?
The New York State Department of Health, for example, requires a minimum of 10 clinical hours for EMTs. To be clear, you must graduate, pass all required exams, and attend clinicals as well as receive your NREMT certification in both EMT and AEMT before you can receive any training or education as a paramedic.
