Students that pursue EMT training in Alabama are required to be trained and educated from a state approved EMT program. While in the program, students will learn all about becoming an EMT through didactic instruction, labs, and clinical internships.
During an EMT training course in AL, students will learn how to provide basic life support to sick and injured patients. EMTs respond to car accidents and heart attacks, as well as allergic reactions, diabetic patients, and even women who are pregnant or even about to go into labor.
Finding EMT Training in Alabama
Below are some schools in Alabama you can attend to become either an EMT or Paramedic (details about each school below relate to Paramedic enrollment, for those interested in potentially pursuing a more education beyond what becoming an EMT requires)::
·Alabama Fire College – Tuscaloosa, AL
Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic Program
2501 Phoenix Drive
Tuscaloosa , AL – 35405
· Bevill State Community College – Sumiton, AL
Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic Program
PO Box 800
Sumiton , AL – 35148
Bevil State Community College features an short-term certificate EMT program, a long-term certificate EMT-paramedic program (you must have an EMT-Basic license prior to beginning the clinical portion of your program) and a EMT-P program that ends with a Paramedic Field Preceptorship and one earning an Associate’s Degree.
· Calhoun Community College –Decatur, AL
Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic Program
6250 US Hwy 31 N
Health Sceinces Bldg
Decatur , AL – 35609
At Calhoun, students can earn either a long-term certificate or an Associate’s Degree. The course begins every summer semester. According to the paramedic program application at Calhoun, students who hold a clinical average of less than 75% will fail the program, regardless of your classroom average.
· Coastal Alabama Community College – Bay Minette, AL
Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic Program
3301 Gulf Shores Parkway
Gulf Shores , AL – 36542
· Gadsden State Community College – Gadsden, AL
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Program
PO Box 227
1001 George Wallace Drive
Gadsden , AL – 35902
Gadsden State offers students two paths to become a paramedic. The first is an Associate’s degree program, which is 76 total credit hours. This will include EMT and AEMT classes, as well as a variety of paramedic courses like Paramedic Pharmacology and Patient Assessment.
The second is a Paramedic Institutional Certificate program, which is between 63 and 67 credit hours. And while information pertaining to tuition isn’t listed on their site, students are responsible for fees that cover uniforms ($30.00) , drug testing ($35.00), and malpractice insurance ($25.00). Your books, like the Paramedic Practice Today Package by JB Learning, will cost several hundred dollars.
· H. Councill Trenholm State Community College – Montgomery, AL
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Program
1225 Air Base Boulevard
P.O. Box 10048
Montgomery , AL – 36108
At Trenholm State, the college offers students a couple pathways towards becoming a paramedic. The first is through earning a certificate, and the second is an Associate’s degree.
If you opt to go the certificate route, the cost of the tuition will be $8,494 for four terms. The Associate’s degree will be $10,138 for five to six terms. Do note that you will have to pay more money for additional fees pertaining to books, tools and supplies.
· Herzing University-Birmingham – Birmingham, AL
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Program
280 West Valley Avenue
Birmingham , AL – 35209
Herzing University in Birmingham provides students with an Associate’s degree paramedic program. The cost of tuition for the program will be $38,370, and it looks like that will include the cost of books and supplies, as well. There is no room and board offered. As far as the program’s length, it was designed to allow students the ability to graduate in 96 weeks.
· Jefferson State Community College – Birmingham, AL
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Program
2601 Carson Road
Birmingham , AL – 35215
Once you have successfully completed the paramedic program at Jefferson State Community College, you will be awarded with an Associate in Applied Science degree. Afterward, you will be eligible to sit for the National Registry exam and seek state licensure, as well.
· Lurleen B Wallace Community College – Andalusia, AL
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Program
PO Box 1418
Andalusia , AL – 36420
The Lurleen B. Wallace Community College provides students with an Associate’s Degree upon successfully completing the school’s paramedic program. This is particularly a good program if you know you will be a busy student. That’s because at this particular college, classes are only held twice a week (and at night).
· Northeast Alabama Community College
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Program
PO Box 159
138 Highway 35 West
Rainsville , AL – 35986
At this college, students are provided with not only EMT certificate programs, but a paramedic one, as well. The paramedic program will run 50 hours in length, and students will earn a “Long Certificate” after three semesters. There is also an opportunity for students to earn a degree, as well.
· Northwest-Shoals Community College – Muscle Shoals, AL
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Program
PO Box 2545
Muscle Shoals , AL – 35662
NSCC offers students the chance to earn a Paramedic Certificate or an Associate’s degree. If you’re wondering what’s the difference between a certificate and a degree, here are a few answers that should help you. A degree program will provide you with more general education requirements. This ultimately means that you’ll have a more balanced education. Degree programs offer transfer and continuing education opportunities, as well. It’s also possible, too, that since you stayed in school longer and received more education, that you will have a leg up when it comes to not only acquiring a job, but moving “up the ladder” into potential management positions.
· Southern Union State Community College – Opelika, AL
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Program
1701 LaFayette Parkway
Opelika , AL – 36801
Like many schools, Southern Union State allows you to earn either a paramedic certificate or an Associate’s degree. The certificate program will take 60 semester hours to complete, while the Associate’s degree will last a little longer (73 semester hours).
And how much might these programs cost? Will, surprisingly, the cost is fairly similar. The certificate and degree program cost is divvied up based on each semester, but in total, here’s how it breaks down:
Certificate program: $12,532 (covers tuition and license fees).
Associate’s degree program: $15,283 (also covers tuition and license fees).
· University of South Alabama – Mobile, AL
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Program
Department of EMS Education
600 Clinic Drive, Suite 400
Mobile , AL – 36688-0002
The University of South Alabama offers students a paramedic certificate program. Should you want to enroll in this program, you will be asked to take the HOBET V examination and score no less than 60. HOBET is an multiple choice assessment exam that covers math, science, reading and English. This is an examination that is used to gauge how ready you may be for your upcoming education and training.
To certificate program lasts just 21 months. It will cost students a little over $12,000 for tuition. You can expect to pay $3,600 for textbooks and related supplies. Room and board is indeed offered on this campus, with a price tag of $22,872.
· Wallace Community College – Dothan, AL
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Program
1141 Wallace Drive
Dothan , AL – 36303
Wallace Community College offers a paramedic certificate program that can be completed in as little as 60 weeks. The program itself will cost you $12,145 for tuition, and an additional $2,624 for things like your textbooks and related course-specific supplies.
· Wallace Community College – Hanceville, AL
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Program
801 Main Street NW
PO Box 2000
Hanceville , AL – 35077-2000
The undergrad certificate program at Wallace State Community College lasts 45 weeks. The tuition will cost students $6,495, and if you account for the price of textbooks, supplies, and room and board, you are looking at an additional $2,700. Financial aid may be available for those that need it, though it’s always recommended that you check with you school’s financial aid office to be certain.
And like any paramedic program, it’s required that you hold an Alabama Advanced EMT license. It must be an active license, as well.
A five semester Associate’s degree is offered at Wallace State, as well.
Becoming an EMT in Alabama
Ultimately, you’re likely wondering how you can become an EMT yourself. What steps do I need to take, you might ask.
And that’s a great question, especially as training requirements seem to vary slightly from state to state. While certain prerequisites can change depending on the school you apply to, here are some general requirements you should try to keep in mind.
· Students must be 18 years old.
· Students must have a valid driver’s license.
· Students must be able to read at a 10th grade level. Some schools may require COMPASS test scores from students that are applying to the program. COMPASS tests one’s academic skills in English, math, and reading.
· Students must hold CPR certification at the Healthcare provider level.
· Students must undergo a drug test and criminal background check.
· Students must provide proof of the following vaccinations: Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccination/Illness, Hepatitis B Vaccination Series, Tetanus, Diphtheria and Petrussis.
You’ll also need to provide proof of Chicken Pox (vaccinated 2 shot series or positive titer). You’ll also likely need a negative Tuberculosis skin PPD test (within the last 12 months), a negative chest X-ray (within the last 12 months), and a flu shot (within the last 12 months).
EMT Classes
To become an EMT in Alabama, you must of course attend an EMT training school first. Here’s a list of approved EMT programs in Alabama, as seen on the Alabama Department of Public Health website
EMT Training Online
In some cases, depending on the school or program, students can learn valuable skills and knowledge through online EMT training. In instances like this, a school may offer a Hybrid course, which mixes traditional classroom instruction and hands-on exercises with the flexibility to also receive online EMT training, as well.
EMT Certification
After you complete your training, you will want to apply for national EMT certification. Students receive national certification through the NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians).
National Registry EMT certification is important, because not only does it recognize that a student has been competently trained and educated, but it also gives EMTs greater flexibility in the future should they decide to move to another state (and seek reciprocity to practice as an EMT).
National certification requires students to successfully pass both a cognitive (computer adaptive test) and psychomotor exam (skills test). The NREMT-B practical exam is a state approved exam and will be given through state approved EMT training programs.
Before taking the NREMT exams, it’s a good idea to find an EMT study guide or practice test like Brady’s EMT Achieve to help better prepare for what will be on the exam.
How To Become an EMT in Alabama
Even with national certification, students must apply for a state EMT license. While national certification is a recognition, it is not a state credential, and therefore a state license is needed to grant permission to actually work as an EMT.
To apply for an EMT license in Alabama, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health.
EMT Jobs and EMT Salary
If you’ve gotten this far, you’re probably thinking, “becoming an EMT sounds great, but can I really get a job? Can I make good money? Is it a worthwhile career?”
These are all good questions to ask.
The truth is that, with a rising population, and another generation growing older, EMT jobs continue to remain immensely important. And while its known that EMTs work in ambulances, you can also find EMT jobs on fire trucks, as well as in physician’s offices and at sporting events. Some students even go on to become wilderness EMTs and flight medics.
An EMT salary in Alabama can depend on a wide range of factors (hours worked, overtime, region, etc), but thanks to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, along with Salary.com, we’re not only able to know how much an EMT makes in Alabama, but also how much paramedics and flight paramedics make, too.
For more information on EMT salary, visit Paramedic Salary in Alabama, which breaks down how much EMTs make in some of the more highly populated cities in AL.
For more on EMT training, please visit Paramedic Training Spot.
