General Information

The process to become an EMS professional starts with taking the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course. These courses are typically one semester (or about 4½ months) in length. Upon successful completion of the EMT course, the student is eligible to take the North Carolina and/or National Registry credentialing exam.

Once credentialed, an EMT can seek employment with an EMS agency, fire department, or medical facility.

EMTs that are interested in progressing further can take courses to obtain their Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) or Paramedic credential. Upon successful completion of either of those courses, the EMT will be eligible to take the North Carolina and/or National Registry credentialing exam.

Wake Tech offers two pathways to become a credentialed EMS professional: Non-Degree (CE) and Degree (CU).

You can apply for any of the courses at the bottom of this page.

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Course

Overview: This course introduces basic emergency medical care. Topics include preparatory, airway, patient assessment, medical emergencies, trauma, infants and children, and operations.

Eligibility: The following criteria must be met prior to entering the EMT course. Candidates should submit all of the information listed below prior to registering for the class. Registration will not be considered complete without fulfilling each eligibility requirement. The candidate MUST: 

  • Be at least 17 years of age on or before the official end date of the course. High School students who are under 18 years of age may have to complete a minor release form.
  • Complete the current reading and writing assessment test and score basic reading comprehension at the eleventh grade level. (Students producing a high school or college transcript illustrating successful completion of an English course beyond the eleventh grade level are exempt from the reading and writing assessments.)

Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Course

Overview: This course is designed to provide the essential information on pre-hospital management techniques appropriate to the level of the Advanced EMT. Topics must meet current credentialing and/or regulatory guidelines for the Advanced EMT as outlined by the NC Office of EMS. 

Eligibility: The following criteria must be met prior to entering the AEMT course. Candidates should submit all of the information listed below prior to registering for the class. Registration will not be considered complete without fulfilling each eligibility requirement. The candidate MUST: 

  • Possess certification as a North Carolina EMT or present proof of a reciprocity request through the North Carolina Office of EMS. (Wake Tech EMT students that have successfully completed the EMT course within the last 30 days are waived of this requirement; however, must possess EMT certification prior to starting field-clinical rotations.)
  • Complete the current reading and math assessment tests and score reading comprehension and math skills at the post-secondary level. (Candidates producing an official college transcript illustrating successful completion of a college-level English and/or Math course are exempt from the reading and/or math assessment.)

Paramedic Course

Overview: This course is designed to provide the essential information on pre-hospital management techniques appropriate to the level of the Paramedic. Topics must meet current credentialing and/or regulatory guidelines for the Paramedic as outlined by the NC Office of EMS and/or Committee of Accreditation for the EMS Profession (CoAEMSP). 

Eligibility: The following criteria must be met prior to entering the Paramedic course. Candidates should submit all of the information listed below prior to registering for the class. Registration will not be considered complete without fulfilling each eligibility requirement. The candidate MUST: 

  • Possess certification as a North Carolina EMT (or AEMT) or present proof of a reciprocity request through the North Carolina Office of EMS.
  • Complete the current reading and math assessment tests and score reading comprehension and math skills at the post-secondary level. (Candidates producing an official college transcript illustrating successful completion of a college-level English and/or Math course are exempt from the reading and/or math assessment.)

How to Apply

For the CU pathway, apply HERE

For the EMT CE pathway, apply HERE

For the AEMT CE pathway, apply HERE

For the Paramedic CE pathway, apply HERE

For the Requirements & Orientation page, click HERE. (Program costs are listed on this page)