Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training Programs 

EMT training programs provide initial training for individuals to become eligible for EMT certification in California.  All programs also offer EMT refresher courses that provide 24 hours of continuing education credit that may be applied toward renewal or reinstatement.  Additional course offerings may include California State EMT Skills Testing (required to renew or reinstate California EMT certificates). 

After completing the initial training, EMT candidates must pass the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) cognitive and psychomotor (skills) exams. Successfully completing the EMT initial training and gaining NREMT certification qualifies an individual for California EMT certification (more information about EMT certification here)

EMT training programs may also offer services including EMT Challenge Examinations for individuals who are currently licensed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, Registered Nurse, Physician Assistant, or Medical Doctor. Contact the program nearest to you for more specific information and class schedules.

All EMT training Programs operating within San Diego County must be approved by San Diego County EMS. All approved EMT Programs are listed on the California EMSA website. More information about EMT training program approval can be found in San Diego County EMS policy B-351.

Paramedic Training Programs 

Paramedic training programs provide extensive education to prepare students for California Paramedic licensure. After completing the initial training, Paramedic candidates must pass the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) cognitive and psychomotor (skills) exams at the Paramedic level. 

Individuals with a NREMT-Paramedic certificate must be licensed by the EMS Authority, and then must be accredited by the Local EMS Agency to practice as a Paramedic. More information about state licensure may be found here, and information about accreditation here.

In California, paramedic training programs are approved by the local EMS agency in the County in which the training program is located. Additionally, paramedic training programs in California are required to be accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). All approved Paramedic Training Programs are listed on the California EMSA website. More information about Paramedic training program approval can be found in San Diego County EMS policy P-301.