The Iowa Bureau of EMS sets the guidelines for EMT certification in the state and you’ll need to understand their requirements if you want to know how to become an EMT in Iowa.

Iowa, like many other states, is currently transitioning to the new National Scope of Practice Model certification levels recommended by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and as such now licenses 3 levels of EMT in the state: EMT, Advanced EMT (AEMT), Paramedic.

Requirements to Become an EMT in Iowa

The first thing you need to know is that you can begin an EMT training program in Iowa at the age of 17 but you must turn 18 before you take your certification exams.

Also, you need to have current CPR certification before you enroll in  an EMT training program.

Requirements:

• 17 years of age or older. (You must turn 18 years old prior to taking the certification exams)
• Iowa Driver License
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Current CPR certification. Either Health Care Provider (American Heart Association)  or Professional Rescuer (American Red Cross) is acceptable 
• Criminal background checks and adult/dependent abuse checks
• BLS course completion card (all levels)
• Course completion cards as required by the Medical Director (i.e; ACLS,PALS, PEPP, PHTLS, etc.)
• Emergency driving and communications training
• Hepatitis B vaccination and tuberculosis status
• Dependent Adult and Child Abuse training
• NIMS (IS-700) and Incident Command (100-200-195-300 or equivalent) – These are emergency preparedness training certifications. NIMS stands for National Incident Management System
• Pass the state written and practical EMT certification exams.

EMT Training in Iowa

EMT training in Iowa takes place at a limited number of Authorized EMS Training Programs throughout the state.

EMT-Basic training programs require at least 130 hours of training and generally take 16 weeks to complete.

Click here for a full list of EMT Training programs in Iowa.

Reciprocity for EMTs Licensed in Another State

You must be a current member of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) to apply for reciprocity in Iowa. Upon verification of your status you may be granted an appropriate Iowa certification. In some cases additional training to meet Iowa certification requirements may be necessary. 

If you’re applying at the EMT-Basic level and are currently a member of the U.S. Army, hold the military occupational skill of Combat Medic (91W) or Special Forces Medic (18D); please provide documentation of your military training when submitting the reciprocity application.

If any additional training and/or testing is required for certification, an EMS Endorsement Preliminary Approval form will be sent to you. This form may allow you to function as an Iowa EMS provider for employment purposes or for entrance into an Iowa EMS Training Program. An endorsement application fee of $50.00 payable to the Iowa Department of Public Health must be included with the completed application form. If you have any questions or concerns regarding endorsement, you can call 515-281-0620.

EMT Jobs in Iowa

Job prospects for EMTs throughout the US is looking very good for the foreseeable future.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an additional 75,000 EMT jobs by 2020. That’s a 33% increase in the number of EMT positions as of 2010. Average job growth for all occupations in the U.S.A. is projected to be 14% for the same time period. In other words EMT job openings are expected to increase at more than double the national average in the next ten years.

Check the job board to find EMT jobs in your area.

Resources

Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Lucas State Office Bldg.
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
1-800-728-3367 

Iowa EMS Education, Training, and Certification

Iowan EMS Certification & Renewal forms

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Indiana licenses 4 levels of EMT in the state: EMT-Basic, EMT-Basic Advanced, EMT-Intermediate, and Paramedic. If you want to learn how to become an EMT in Indiana you’ll be working with the Indiana Emergency Medical Services Commission which is under the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS)

Requirements to Become an EMT in Indiana

To become an EMT in Indiana you will need to have your CPR certification before you start your EMT training program. It’s also important to know that Indiana does not recognize  National Registry certification for EMT-Basic unless you already have a valid EMT license from another state. Otherwise you will need to take the Indiana state practical and written exams.

Basic requirements to become an EMT in Indiana:

• You must be 18 years of age or older upon successful completion of your EMT Basic training course.
• CPR certification, either Healthcare Provider CPR (American Heart Association) or Professional Rescuer (Red Cross)
• Passing a state approved EMT training course with a “C” or better.
• Passing of the Indiana written and practical exams.

EMT Training in Indiana

EMT-Basic training requires a minimum of 144.5 hours of instruction. The hours are broken up like this: 128.5 hrs classroom, 8 hours hospital, 8 hours ambulance.

Indiana training courses will take up to 16 weeks to complete. The length of the course will depend on the schedule of classes at the training institution.

Expect to pay around $700 for your EMT training course. Most programs include all materials and books in this fee but some facilities require students to purchase books and other items separately.

Each level of EMT beyond EMT-Basic requires additional training to learn more advanced life saving techniques. A complete list of required hours and skills for each level of EMT in Indiana can be found here  Levels of Indiana EMS Certification & Education Requirements (pdf)

Reciprocity for EMTs Licensed in Another State

If you have a valid EMT license from another state or the National Registry of EMTs you can apply for a temporary EMT certification in Indiana after gaining affiliation with an Indiana Certified Provider Organization.

The temporary EMT license lasts for the remaining time on your current license or 6 months, whichever is shorter. You can apply for full certification after completing Indiana’s examination requirements.

Full details on Indiana’s reciprocity rules can be found here: Indiana Reciprocity Procedure (pdf)

EMT Jobs in Indiana

Job prospects for EMTs is looking very good for the foreseeable future.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an additional 75,000 EMT jobs by 2020. That’s a 33% increase in the number of EMT positions as of 2010. Average job growth for all occupations in the U.S.A. is projected to be 14% for the same time period. In other words EMT job openings are expected to increase at more than double the national average in the next ten years.

Check the job board to find EMT jobs in your area.

Resources

Indiana Department of Homeland Security
Emergency Medical Systems Commission
EMS Certifications, E239, IGC-S
302 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2739
Monday-Friday - 8:30am-4:00pm
Phone: 1-800-666-7784 or (317) 234-6804
 E-Mail

Indiana EMS Forms and Applications for Individuals

Levels of Indiana EMS Certification & Education Requirements (pdf)

Indiana Reciprocity Procedure (pdf)

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Illinois is one of 5 states that do not rely on the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) for certification. So if you want to learn how to become an EMT in Illinois you’re first stop would be the Illinois Department of Public Health – Emergency Medical Services and Highway Safety department. They are the department that sets rules and regulations for EMT licensure in the state.

Although Illinois does not require NREMT certification to become an EMT in the state they do let you choose to take the NREMT exam or a state of Illinois EMT exam. If you plan to get licensed as an EMT in another state at some point in the future, it may be a good idea to take the NREMT exam. Most other states require NREMT certification as a requirement for getting your EMT license and it will make the transition easier.

Illinois currently licenses 3 levels of EMT in the state: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic. As of January 1, 2013, Illinois will transition to the new National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards. This means that they will not only update the scope of practice requirements for EMTs but they will also transition to the new EMT certification levels.

• Existing First Responder Defibrillator certifications will be recognized as Emergency Medical Responder (EMR).
• Emergency Medical Technician-Basic will be recognized as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
• A new license level will be recognized as Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT).
• Existing EMT-Intermediate licenses will be recognized through December 31, 2017.
• EMT-Paramedic will be recognized as Paramedic.

Full details of the transition can be found here: New National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards and National Scope of Practice (pdf)

Requirements to Become an EMT in Illinois

• 18 years or older
• High School Diploma or GED
• CPR Certification from either American Heart Association CPR for the Healthcare Provider or American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer.
• Criminal background check
• Successful completion a state-approved EMT training course
• Pass the state of Illinois EMT exam or the NREMT EMT exam

EMT Training in Illinois

EMS courses in Illinois must meet the National Standard Curriculum provided by the National Department of Transportation, and/or the 2009 National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards provided by the National Association of State EMS Officials.

An approved EMT course will fully prepare you to take the State of Illinois EMT license examination or the National Registry of EMT examination for your level.

The Illinois Emergency Medical Services and Highway Safety department recommends the following study guides for EMTs:

• Prehospital Emergency Care,, Prentice-Hall. Mistovich, J.J., Hafen, B.Q. & Karren, K.J.. 
• Emergency Care, Prentice-Hall. Limmer, D. & O’Keefe, M.F..
• Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured,, AAOS.  Jones & Bartlett.
• Mosby’s EMT Basic Textbook, Mosby. Stoy, W., Platt, T., Lejeune, D.A.

The Illinois Emergency Medical Services and Highway Safety department recommends the following study guides for Paramedics:

• Essentials of Paramedic Care, Prentice-Hall. Bledsoe, B.E., Porter, B.S., Cherry, R.A.
• Paramedic Care: Principles and Practice, Prentice-Hall. Bledsoe, B.E., Porter, B.S., Cherry, R.A.
• Emergency Care in the Streets, Jones and Bartlett. Caroline, N. (AAOS).
• Mosby’s Paramedic Textbook, Mosby. Sanders, M.J., et. al.

Reciprocity for EMTs Licensed in Another State

If you have an EMT license from another state or NREMT certification you can become an EMT in Illinois by submitting an EMT Reciprocity Application. If you meet all the requirements for licensure you will be issued an EMT license.

One odd question on the Reciprocity application asks “Is there any known reason why licensure in Illinois should be denied?”. I would assume that if you knew of a reason why you should be denied licensure you wouldn’t be applying for it. Either way, it’s in you best interest to answer all the questions honestly.

Requirements for EMT reciprocity in Illinois:

1. Complete Part I of the EMT Reciprocity Application (pdf).
2. Attach photocopies of your EMT certificate or license and current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR card or equivalent.
3. Provide a letter from the EMS medical director indicating that you are in good standing and up-to-date with continuing education hours if you currently participate in an EMS system under an EMS medical director. If you cannot obtain a letter of recommendation, you will need to request a waiver as described in item 4.
4. If you have not functioned as an EMT or under the direction of an EMS medical director, include a letter with your signature stating that you have never worked as an EMT or under an EMS medical director and request that the letter of recommendation be waived. Also, if you are requesting a waiver, you will need to provide photocopies of all continuing education you have completed during your current license/certification period.
5. Complete the child support declaration statement including your Social Security number, drivers license number, and return with the application and other required documents.

You need to place all required documents in one envelope and mail it to:

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Emergency Medical Systems and Highway Safety
Attention: Reciprocity
422 South Fifth Street, Third Floor
Springfield, IL 62701

EMT Jobs in Illinois

Check the job board to find EMT jobs in your area.

Resources

Illinois Emergency Medical Systems and Highway Safety
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, Illinois 62761
Phone 217-782-4977
Fax 217-782-3987
TTY 800-547-0466
Questions or Comments

New National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards and National Scope of Practice (pdf)

EMT-B Study Guide (pdf)
EMT-P Study Guide (pdf)

Illinois EMT Reciprocity Application (pdf)

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)

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The Wisconsin Department of Emergency Medical Services is the state department in charge of EMS licensing. The first thing you need to know if you’re researching how to become an EMT in Wisconsin is that Wisconsin requires all levels of EMT to have National Registry (NREMT) certification as a prerequisite for licensure in the state. NREMT certification is something you will go for after you complete a state-approved EMT training course.

Wisconsin licenses three levels of EMT: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic.

Requirements to Become an EMT in Wisconsin

Wisconsin allows individuals as young as 17 to enroll in EMT-Basic training but you have to be 18 years old by the time the course is completed in order to qualify for your EMT license.

Requirements:

• 17 years old or older (You must be 18 years old by the end of your training course to qualify for licensure)
• Criminal history record check
• Successful completion of a state-approved EMT course that meets or exceeds the U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum for the EMT level you’re seeking.
• Current CPR credentials
• Pass the NREMT written exam
• Pass the Wisconsin practical exam

EMT Training in Wisconsin

All EMT Training in Wisconsin takes place at a system of state-approved training centers. The training takes 144 hours (including both lectures and practical training) plus 10+ hours in a hospital emergency room setting and ambulance ride-along training.

Expect the cost of EMT-Basic training to be around $700 for fees and materials.

To find an EMT training center in your area click here: Wisconsin EMT Training Centers.

Reciprocity for EMTs Licensed in Another State

If you have an EMT license from another state you may be eligible for licensure in Wisconsin. Wisconsin requires current NREMT certification for all license levels so if you don’t already have it it you’ll need to pass the NREMT exam before you can apply for reciprocity.

Requirements for License Reciprocity:

• Reciprocity License application (found here: Wisconsin E-Licensing)
• Verification of Out-Of-State Licensure (found here: Wisconsin E-Licensing), print and submit to the state EMS office(s) where you hold or have held an EMS license.
• A valid NREMT number for the EMT level you are applying
• Copy of the Certificate of Completion for an approved Terrorism Awareness course only if you have not completed this course previously.
• An administrative fee of $50

Full details can be found here: Wisconsin License Reciprocity.

EMT Jobs in Wisconsin

Check the job board to find EMT jobs in your area.

Resources

Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services
Room 372 
1 W Wilson Street
Madison WI, 53701
Staff Directory

Mailing Address
PO Box 2659
Madison
WI 53701-2659

Wisconsin EMT Training Centers

Wisconsin License Reciprocity

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)

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