An EMT can be an incredibly gratifying job. Not only will you be helping people daily, but you can also become an EMT as young as 18. Since you can start working as an EMT fairly young, this job makes for a great starting point if you hope to pursue a career in medicine.
If you’re interested in becoming an EMT in Texas, here is a brief overview of the qualifications you’ll need and the steps you’ll have to take to acquire your certification.
1. Check the Requirements
To qualify as an EMT applicant in Texas, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Successfully complete an EMS training course
- Complete the EMS Personnel Certification application
- Pass a National Registry exam
Until these requirements are met, you will not be eligible to apply for a job as an EMT. Although you can’t complete the process of EMT certification Texas online, you can complete a virtual EMS training course to satisfy your course requirement.
2. Take the Exam
The National Registry Exam is the state-approved exam for EMT certification. This is the only exam you can take to earn your certification. If you fail the exam, you will have the opportunity to retake it.
3. Get Fingerprinted
An FBI fingerprint background check is required of all EMT applicants. This can be scheduled online and takes just a few minutes to complete.
4. Apply For Your Certificate
After you have fulfilled the above requirements, then you are eligible to apply for your EMT certification. You can apply for your certification online by submitting proof of the above requirements to Texas’s online licensing services website.
Once you’ve completed these steps, it will take four to six weeks for your certificate to arrive in the mail. The certificate will allow you to begin applying for jobs as an EMT immediately.
