An emergency medical technician provides medical care to sick and injured people before they reach the hospital.  They are often in the ambulance when it arrives to pick up someone who has suffered a heart attack or stroke, experienced respiratory problems, or faced other injuries.  Employment with policemen, fire fighters, and in hospitals is the most likely for an EMT.  Emergency medical technician degree requirements vary by state and the level of qualification you are aiming for, but here is a basic outline so you can get a general idea of what kind of schooling will be required of you to fill a position with this kind of job description.

There are three basic levels that each state may refer to as their requirement for EMTs employed in the state.  These are Basic EMT, Intermediate EMT, and Paramedic EMT.  No matter which level of certification you are striving for, most states will require you to complete an exam to become officially certified.  One form of this exam is administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.  Some states allow you to take this exam while others administer their own state exams.  There are minimum emergency medical technician degree requirements you must meet in order to qualify to take the exam.

To qualify for Basic EMT, you must complete six months of training to earn a Certificate.  This will include passing written exams and supervised hands-on demonstrations.  For Intermediate EMT qualification, you may need to first complete Basic emergency medical technician degree requirements and gain work experience with this certification.  You can also opt to take one year of schooling and earn your Diploma.  Paramedic EMTs must earn their license at the Basic EMT level, complete paramedic training, and complete six months of on-the-job experience before attempting to pass a written and practical exam.  The two-year Associate Degree program is recommended if this is your intent.

Even though there are no specific official emergency medical technician degree requirements needed to enter the field, other than being able to pass examinations, it is advised that you complete the training outlined above according to the level of EMT certification you will be seeking.  These programs help you prepare for your licensing exam and are well worth the time and money you put into them, especially if you are able to conduct your education in a convenient online setting.

Once you are accepted into the program of your choice, you will be presented with a curriculum that must be passed in order for you to complete your education.  The program you choose may have different emergency medical technician degree requirements than another program.  However, the National Standard Curriculum consists of seven modules that must be mastered for the Basic EMT level, eight modules for the Intermediate EMT level, and a course design involving didactic instruction, skills laboratory, clinical education, and a field internship for the Paramedic EMT level.  All of these are considered national standards and will surely apply to your accredited education.