EMT & Paramedic Classes Near You
Emergency medical technicians respond to 911 calls, assess patients, give emergency care and transport people to hospitals. EMT is the entry level of the EMS career ladder that leads to advanced EMT and paramedic. Federal education data reports EMT and paramedic training together, so school counts and lengths here include both; certificates under one year are typically EMT-Basic. Below are 681 accredited schools that graduated EMT students in 2023–24, organized by state and city.
Updated October 2026 · Sources: IPEDS, BLS
- Schools
- 681in 50 states
- Graduates 2023–24
- 33,048
- Median program cost
- $2,00037 schools reporting
- U.S. median pay
- $44,470$21.38/hr
EMT & Paramedic Classes by state
Top cities for emt & paramedic classes
- Chicago, IL15
- New York, NY10
- Phoenix, AZ9
- Houston, TX9
- Los Angeles, CA8
- St. Louis, MO8
- Riverside, CA7
- Miami, FL7
- Detroit, MI7
- Baltimore, MD7
- San Francisco, CA6
- Atlanta, GA6
- Cincinnati, OH6
- Cleveland, OH6
- Tampa, FL5
- Charlotte, NC5
- Boston, MA5
- Denver, CO4
- Philadelphia, PA4
- Orlando, FL4
- Minneapolis, MN4
- Oklahoma City, OK4
- Dallas, TX4
- Seattle, WA4
- Birmingham, AL4
- Virginia Beach, VA4
- Memphis, TN3
- San Diego, CA3
- Sacramento, CA3
- Kansas City, MO3
Largest EMT programs in the U.S.
| School | Location | Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN | 804 |
| Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa, CA | 681 |
| Victor Valley College | Victorville, CA | 667 |
| Hillsborough Community College | Tampa, FL | 425 |
| Dallas College | Dallas, TX | 337 |
| South Louisiana Community College | Lafayette, LA | 320 |
| American Medical Academy | Miami, FL | 310 |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale, AZ | 309 |
| Mesa Community College | Mesa, AZ | 291 |
| Seminole State College of Florida | Sanford, FL | 285 |
How to become an emergency medical technician
- Complete a state-approved EMT course (CPR certification is usually a prerequisite).
- Pass the NREMT cognitive exam and a psychomotor skills exam.
- Apply for your state EMT license. Most states require you to be at least 18.
- Recertify every two years through the NREMT and/or your state.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become an emergency medical technician?
EMT courses commonly run one academic semester or an accelerated few weeks, plus clinical or field ride-along hours.
What certification do EMTs need?
A state EMT license or certification. Most states use the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) cognitive exam plus a psychomotor (skills) exam for initial licensure.
How much do emt & paramedic classes cost?
Across 37 schools that published a program price, tuition plus books and supplies ranged from $1,218 to $29,938, with a median of $2,000.
How much do EMTs make?
The U.S. median wage for EMTs was $44,470 a year ($21.38/hour) in May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $34,130; the top 10% earned over $62,500.