How to Become a Paramedic in California

The paramedic is the most highly trained member of a medical team. The job is difficult, sometimes dangerous, but ultimately rewarding. If you want to become a paramedic in California, you will need to have both training and experience. If you have the compassion and commitment to accept the challenge, it’s a rewarding career.

Things You'll Need

• Prior training as an EMT-I/II (emergency medical technician)
• Work experience
• Approved training and certification
• Valid California driver’s license

Instructions

1. Get the basic education required to become a paramedic in California. You must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid California driver’s license. To advance beyond EMT-I you must have a high school diploma and 10th grade reading comprehension. An EMT/Paramedic does not require a college degree in California (an Associate’s degree is a good idea, and is required in some states). You will be better prepared if you have courses in anatomy and physiology.

2. Train to become an Emergency Medical Technician I or II (EMT). The EMT I must have both classroom and clinical training. Certification can come from either the State Emergency Medical Services Authority or county EMS office. Certification lasts for 2 years and requires 24 class hours of refresher training per year.

3. Become certified at the EMT-II level. This is not mandatory to enter paramedic training, but is very helpful. The EMT II requires 210 class hours and 96 hours of clinical training. The certification is issued by the county EMS office in the county you work. It is good for 2 years. Like the EMT-I continuing education is required (for EMT-II this is 48 hours per year). If you have experience as an EMT-I you can choose to go directly into paramedic training.

4. Gain experience working as an EMT. While not legally required, actual experience is a big plus to get into a good school for paramedic training and secure employment after graduation. Most of the time, a person wanting to become a paramedic in California will go to work as soon as he has an EMT-I certificate. He will take the EMT-II training while he works.

5. Take the advanced classroom and internship training required to become a paramedic in California. The requirements to advance to a paramedic’s license are strict. You must be qualified as an EMT-I or II. In addition, 320 hours of classroom and laboratory training and 96 hours of clinical training are required. Upon completion of this prospective, paramedics must serve as an intern. To be licensed after completing training you must take the State Emergency Medical Services Authority exam. To maintain the license, continued education is required.

Tips & Warnings

• An alternative route to becoming a paramedic is through military service. A qualified military paramedic still must take the certification exam, but military training is accepted in California in lieu of the usual requirements.