How to Become an EMT in Florida
To work as an EMT in Florida, you finish a Florida EMT training program that follows the National EMS Education Standards, pass the exam set by the state health department, and get certified by the Florida Department of Health. The clock matters: you have 2 years from the end of your course to finish. Every rule below is taken from the statute and rule itself (Fla. Stat. §401.27; Fla. Admin. Code 64J-1.008).
Updated October 2026 · Rules checked October 2026 · Sources: Fla. Stat. §401.27; Fla. Admin. Code 64J-1.008, NREMT, IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
- Minimum age
- —not set in state rule
- Certification exam
- Set by staterequired by the state health department
- Colleges with EMT programs
- 43IPEDS 2023–24
- Florida median pay
- $39,870$19.17/hr · BLS May 2025
Florida EMT requirements at a glance
| Certifying agency | Florida Department of Health |
|---|---|
| Training | A Florida EMT training program that follows the National EMS Education Standards |
| Exam | The EMT certification exam required by the Florida Department of Health |
| Also required | Current American Heart Association or American Red Cross CPR card |
| Also required | Signed statements that you are not addicted to alcohol or controlled substances and have no condition that would impair your duties |
| Also required | Application on DH Form 1583 |
| Certification lasts | 2 years |
| Time limit | Pass the exam within 2 years of finishing the Florida program |
| Renewal | Every 2 years: 30 hours of EMT refresher training (at least 2 in pediatric emergencies) plus a current CPR card, or pass the exam again |
| Moving from another state | Trained out of state or in the military: hold a current NREMT EMT certification |
From Fla. Stat. §401.27 and Fla. Admin. Code 64J-1.008, read in October 2026. Rules change: confirm with the Florida Department of Health before you apply.
Step 1: Check that you qualify
Florida's EMT statute and rule do not set a minimum age; training programs set their own, so ask before you enroll.
Step 2: Finish an approved EMT course
A Florida EMT training program that follows the National EMS Education Standards. 43 colleges in Florida report EMT or paramedic programs to the U.S. Department of Education; see them with costs and graduates. Fire departments, hospitals and private schools also run EMT courses that are not in that federal data, so check any course's state approval before you pay.
What college EMT programs charge in Florida
7 colleges report a price: $1,320 to $6,882, median $2,820 for tuition plus books and supplies (IPEDS 2023–24). Median reported length: 16 weeks. More: how much EMT classes cost by state.
| College (lowest prices) | City | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Flagler Technical College | Palm Coast | $1,320 |
| Fort Myers Technical College | Fort Myers | $1,786 |
| Aparicio-Levy Technical College | Tampa | $1,861 |
| American Medical Academy | Miami | $2,820 |
| Marion Technical College | Ocala | $3,099 |
Price = tuition plus books and supplies, self-reported by colleges for 2023–24; it covers the college's largest EMT or paramedic program. Exam and state fees are extra.
EMT classes in Florida's biggest metro areas
Step 3: Pass the Florida certification exam
The EMT certification exam required by the Florida Department of Health. The department accepts a passing score taken within 2 years of finishing the program, before or after you file your application.
Step 4: Apply for Florida certification
Apply to the Florida Department of Health. You will also need:
- Current American Heart Association or American Red Cross CPR card
- Signed statements that you are not addicted to alcohol or controlled substances and have no condition that would impair your duties
- Application on DH Form 1583
Pass the exam within 2 years of finishing the Florida program.
Step 5: Keep it current
Florida EMT certification lasts 2 years. Every 2 years: 30 hours of EMT refresher training (at least 2 in pediatric emergencies) plus a current CPR card, or pass the exam again. Trained out of state or in the military: hold a current NREMT EMT certification.
6,060 EMTs work in Florida. The median earns $39,870 a year; the top 10% earn $59,000 or more (BLS May 2025). Florida EMT pay by metro area.
EMT requirements by state
| State | Min. age | Exam | Time limit | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 18 | Set by state | 2 years | 18 |
| Florida | — | Set by state | 2 years | 43 |
| New Jersey | 18 | NREMT | — | 5 |
| New York | 17 | Set by state | 2 years | 14 |
| Ohio | 18 | NREMT | 2 years | 39 |
| Texas | 18 | NREMT | 2 years | 53 |
| Washington | 18 | Set by state | — | 13 |
Only states whose EMT rules we have read in full are listed. How to become an EMT: all states compared.
Becoming an EMT in Florida: FAQ
How old do you have to be to become an EMT in Florida?
Florida's EMT statute and rule do not set a minimum age for certification. Training programs set their own entry age, so ask the program before you enroll.
Do you need the NREMT to be an EMT in Florida?
The Florida rule does not name the NREMT for EMTs trained in the state. It requires the EMT certification exam required by the Florida Department of Health (Fla. Admin. Code 64J-1.008). Ask your program which exam you will sit. The NREMT does matter if you trained outside Florida or in the military: you must hold a current NREMT EMT certification.
How long do I have to get certified after my EMT course in Florida?
Pass the exam within 2 years of finishing the Florida program (Fla. Admin. Code 64J-1.008).
How much do EMT classes cost in Florida?
7 Florida colleges report an EMT or paramedic program price to the U.S. Department of Education: $1,320 to $6,882, median $2,820 for tuition plus books and supplies (IPEDS 2023–24).
How long is Florida EMT certification good for?
2 years. To renew: 30 hours of EMT refresher training (at least 2 in pediatric emergencies) plus a current CPR card, or pass the exam again.
How much do EMTs make in Florida?
The median Florida EMT earned $39,870 a year ($19.17 an hour) in BLS May 2025 data, below the U.S. median of $44,470. The middle half earned $36,690 to $47,000.