Paramedic Training in California

Becoming a state-licensed paramedic in California requires advanced training and certification. Paramedic is in the highest of levels of emergency medical training in California.

The levels are:

• Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B)
• Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate (EMT-I)
• Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic (EMT-P)

One can acquire the basic education needed for a paramedic candidate in the state of California (EMT-Basic) at most 2-year community colleges. However the candidate must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid California driver’s license.

For further progression to EMT-Intermediate, you must possess a high school diploma or GED and 10th grade reading comprehension.

An EMT-Paramedic does not require a college degree in California. However you will be better prepared if you have taken courses in both anatomy and physiology before embarking on the paramedic training program.

If you already have experience working as an EMT, you can advance directly to paramedic training. If not, it is highly recommended that you first take EMT-Intermediate or work as an EMT for 1 year before enrolling in a paramedic training program, since it will provide you with advantage.

By working as an EMT you will gain invaluable experience in field. While it is not legally required of you, any work experience is a big plus and will help you get into better schools for paramedic training and secure employment after graduation. Most people who set out to become a paramedic in California, ends up going to work after acquiring their EMT-intermediate certification, before enrolling in the paramedic training program.

The requirements to enrol in paramedic training programs are:

• You must be qualified EMT-Intermediate and EMT-basic.
• Be at least 18 years old
• Possess a CPR-card
• Possess a valid driver’s license

During the training program you can expect to:

• Undergo a 320 hours of training and 96 hours of clinical training.
• You must serve an internship involving clinical rotations and ambulance runs.

You must also go through the NREMT exam to become a national certified and licensed paramedic.

For more information about the process. Click here for a standard step-by-step process of becoming a paramedic explained in more detail.

Note: There might be differences from state to state.

You can find the EMT & Paramedic licensing application form here.

If you have any additional questions, you may want to read California’s EMT-Paramedic Licensure Frequently Asked Questions document. It answers a lot common and frequent questions regarding the paramedic profession in the state of California.

Paramedic training programs in California are available at:

City College of San Francisco Paramedic Program

Address: 50 Phelan Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112

Phone Number: (415) 239-3000

Mt. San Antonio College Paramedic Program

Address: 1100 N Grand Ave., Walnut, CA 91789

Phone Number: (909) 594-5611

Tags: CA, california, emt training, paramedic training, paramedic training in CA, paramedic training in california

By Jack in Paramedic Training in California on October 10, 2011