How to Become an EMT in Georgia
Tweet
The Georgia Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department is in charge of developing the requirements you’ll need to know if you want to learn how to become an EMT in Gerogia.
Georgia follows the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) guidelines for certification and scope of practice of EMS providers. Georgia currently licenses 5 levels of EMT:
- EMT – Emergency Medical Technician
- EMT-I – Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate/1985
- AEMT – Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
- CT – Cardiac Technician
- PMDC – Paramedic
For a comparison of all five levels see the Georgia EMT Scope of Practice Comparison (pdf) sheet.
Georgia is in the process of moving to the new EMT certification levels set by the National EMS Education Standards so the EMT-I and CT levels may go away in the future.
Requirements to Become an EMT in Georgia
In order to become licensed as an EMT in Georgia you will need to meet the following requirements when you hand in your initial application:
- Be 18 years old by the end of course completion
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Complete state-approved EMT course
- Be currently registered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) at the level for which licensure is sought or currently certified as a military Advanced Tactical Practitioner (ATP) as credentialed by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
- Submit to a fingerprint based criminal history records check from the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Provide a passport-style photograph
See C-08 Licensing of EMS Personnel (pdf) for more information
Reciprocity for EMTs Licensed in Another State or Trained in the Military
Georgia has a very open reciprocity policy for EMTs with out-of-state licenses who want to become licensed in Georgia. In order to get a Georgia EMT license you will need to provide the following documentation with your application:
- Current national criminal record history report generated no earlier than twelve (12) months prior to submitting an application for licensur
- Passport-style photograph
- Documentation attesting to the successful completion of a state approved EMT-B, EMT-I, or EMT-P course or documentation attesting to current certification by the USSOCOM as an ATP
- Documentation attesting to current CPR certification for all applicants
- Documentation attesting to current ACLS certification for EMT-P applicants
- Documents attesting to appropriate age
See C-08 Licensing of EMS Personnel (pdf) for more information
Georgia EMT Applicants with Criminal Convictions
Georgia EMS has strict rules regarding EMT applicants with criminal records. They reserve the right to deny applicants with the following types of criminal convictions:
- The department shall deny any license application submitted by an applicant who has been convicted of a felony, a crime of violence, or a crime of moral turpitude; and, may deny any license application submitted by an applicant who has been convicted of driving under the influence or possession of a controlled substance.
- The department shall deny any license application submitted by an applicant with unresolved criminal charges, whether initiated by arrest warrant, information, accusation, or indictment. This shall not apply to minor traffic offenses.
An applicant may seek reconsideration of any denial on the grounds that:
- The conviction has been set aside, pardoned, expunged, or overturned on appeal;
- The criminal charges were finally resolved in the applicant’s favor through acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi; or
- The applicant has demonstrated significant efforts toward rehabilitation, such that the applicant can be trusted with the care of sick or injured patients, their property, and the equipment and supplies that may be entrusted to him or her.
For more information see Georgia EMS Rules and Regulations (pdf) section 511-9-2-.12
EMT Jobs in Georgia
Check the job board to find EMT jobs in your area.
Resources
Georgia EMS
2600 Skyland Drive
Lower Level
Atlanta, Georgia 30319
Phone: 404-679-0547
Fax: 404-679-0526
e-mail:phemsinfo@dhr.state.ga.us
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
Georgia EMT Scope of Practice Comparison (pdf)
Georgia Procedures, Forms, Applications & Resource Documents
Georgia EMS Rules and Regulations (pdf)
EMT Information
Recent Posts
