How to Become an EMT in Polk County, Florida

Trained emergency personnel provide vital life-saving patient care.

Emergency medical personnel are the first responders to accidents and disasters. They are skilled and trained in first aid, CPR, airway obstruction, pediatric injuries, obstetrics delivery and several types of trauma. Emergency medical technicians (EMT) in Florida are required to have a state license and national registry certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). Approved Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training centers in Polk County, Florida and surrounding counties will provide the qualifications for passing the skills and written exams needed for working as a certified EMT-Basic or EMT-Paramedic.

Instructions

1. Apply to a Florida-approved EMT or paramedic training center. In Polk County, Polk State College in Winter Haven is approved. Or, to the west, in neighboring Hillsborough County,Florida Medical Training Institute in Tampa is also approved. See Resources for a list of Florida-approved EMS training centers. You must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or equivalent and no felony record. Complete the courses and prepare for the EMT examinations.

2. Fulfill one of the four professional education requirements to apply for an EMT license/certification with the Florida Department of Health:

   1. Florida-approved EMT-Basic or EMT-Paramedic course completion within one year.

   2. Proof of current EMT license or certification from another state.

   3. Current U.S Military EMT classification.

   4. Florida EMT also licensed as doctor, RN or other health care professional applying for EMT-Paramedic.

3. Complete the Florida Department of Health EMT examination application (see Resource 3). Send it in to the Tallahassee, Florida address on the application along with the $75 fee, copy of current CPR certificate card and proof of EMT course completion.

4. Access the NREMT website, apply for the EMT exam and pay the fee on line (see Reference 2). Check your account for the Authorization to Test (ATT) letter. Print out the ATT letter and contact the test vendor, Pearson Vue, to set up a Polk County or nearby testing location and date. The ATT letter and your current photo identification card with the exact name used on the application will be required at the testing center.

5. Take the computer-adaptive NREMT exam, which consists of 80 to 110 questions. Find test results on your on line NREMT account within 24 to 48 hours. Re-take the test after fourteen days if a passing score was not achieved.

6. Maintain annual certification with 30 hours of continuing education credits and two hours of HIV/AIDS education from approved providers. Stay current with CPR certification by re-certifying every two years.

7. Apply for a job in Polk County. Several emergency and ambulance services in the Tampa and Lakeland area hire recent EMS-trained graduates. The Polk County Board of Commissioners frequently hire qualified EMS personnel. Also check with other local and federal agencies.

Tips & Warnings

• American Heart Association BLS for Health Care Providers certificate or the American Red Cross Professional CPR card is mandatory.

• Emergency Vehicle Operation Course (EVOC) certificate must be current for an EMT position.

References

• EMT: Florida Paramedic and EMT Certification and Examination
• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians: The NREMT Exam

Resources

• Polk State College
• Florida State Approved EMT Training Centers
• Florida Application for EMT Examination