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Best emergency medical technician certifications
Emergency medical technician certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an emergency medical technician to employers. However, not all emergency medical technician certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for an emergency medical technician are Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), and Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS).
Below is a list of the best emergency medical technician certifications. Obtaining an emergency medical technician certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
20 best certifications for emergency medical technicians
| Rank | Emergency medical technician certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | NREMT |
| 2 | Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) | American Red ... |
| 3 | Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS) | American Red ... |
| 4 | Equipment Management Specialist (EMS) | AEMP |
| 5 | Emergency Medical Services | ABEM |
| 6 | Medical Assistant | ASPT |
| 7 | Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) | NHA |
| 8 | Certification in Emergency Medical Services | AOBEM |
| 9 | Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) | NREMT |
| 10 | Emergency Medicine | ABPS |
| 11 | Basic Life Support (BLS) | AHA |
| 12 | Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate 85 (EMT85) | NREMT |
| 13 | Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate 99 (EMY99) | NREMT |
| 14 | Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) | PTCB |
| 15 | Certified Professional Medical Services Management (CPMSM) | NAMSS |
| 16 | First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor | NSC |
| 17 | Community Paramedic Certification (CP-C) | BCCTPC |
| 18 | Certified EKG Technician (CET) | NHA |
| 19 | Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) | IAEM |
| 20 | Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification (EMD) | IAED |
20 best emergency medical technician certifications
1. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
2. Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
Train to be a certified nurse assistant working with other health care professionals to provide quality care for elderly or sick individuals in nursing homes and hospitals and at home.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
3. Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS)
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) uses a scenario-based approach to develop the critical thinking and problem solving skills that drive better patient outcomes. Consistent with AHA Guidelines for CPR/ECC. Covers breathing and cardiac emergencies - including CPR, AED, and obstructed airway - for adult, child, and infant patients. Free, two-year digital "Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers" certificate upon course completion..
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
4. Equipment Management Specialist (EMS)
The Equipment Management Specialist designation is a recognized standard for developing the qualifications of a person involved with equipment in a private, municipal, or government fleet within the first five (5) years of career development.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
5. Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) involves prehospital emergency patient care, including initial patient stabilization, treatment, and transport to hospitals in specially equipped ambulances or helicopters.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
6. Medical Assistant
The medical assistant job description varies depending on the employer's needs. A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional and an asset to a physician.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
7. Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
A Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) draws blood from patients or donors in hospitals, blood banks, or similar facilities for analysis or other medical purposes.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
8. Certification in Emergency Medical Services
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 10 year(s)
9. Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)
The NREMT Advanced Emergency Medical Technician cognitive exam is a computer based test (CBT). The exam will cover the entire spectrum of EMS care including: Airway, Respiration & Ventilation; Cardiology & Resuscitation; Trauma; Medical & Obstetrics/Gynecology; and EMS Operations. Items related to patient care are focused on adult and geriatric patients (85%) and pediatric patients (15%). In order to pass the exam, you must meet a standard level of competency. The passing standard is defined by the ability to provide safe and effective entry level advanced emergency medical care.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
10. Emergency Medicine
The ABPS's emergency medicine board certification exams enable successful candidates to present themselves to the public as qualified medical specialists in emergency medicine. Completing the emergency medicine board certification exams indicates mastery of emergency medicine experience and knowledge, as well as a professional commitment to adhere to the ABPS Medical Code of Ethics.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 8 year(s)
11. Basic Life Support (BLS)
The Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers Classroom Course is designed to provide a wide variety of healthcare professionals the ability to recognize several life-threatening emergencies, provide CPR, use an AED, and relieve choking in a safe, timely and effective manner.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
12. Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate 85 (EMT85)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
13. Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate 99 (EMY99)
National EMT-Intermediate/99 certification requires successful completion of both a cognitive and psychomotor exam. Passed portions of the exam (both cognitive and psychomotor) remain valid for a twelve (12) month period.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
14. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
PTCB's pharmacy technician certification program enables technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. Certification is achieved by meeting specific eligibility requirements and earning a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The PTCB certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
15. Certified Professional Medical Services Management (CPMSM)
The Certified Professional Medical Services Management (CPMSM) is typically employed or contracted by a health care organization including, but not limited to, health plans, group practices, credentialing verification organizations or hospitals (health systems).A CPMSM is an integral part of the team that manages key systems and is responsible for maintaining compliance with regulatory and accrediting bodies, developing and implementing credentialing processes and procedures, and overseeing development of and adherence to governance bylaws, department rules and regulations, and medical staff, organizational, and/or practitioner/provider policies. The CPMSM may also be responsible for overall management of medical services functions (i.e. staffing, budgets, database administration, etc.), continuing medical education, and provider recruitment/relations.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
16. First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor
Knowing how to respond to a first aid or CPR emergency is one of the most important skills a person can possess. The Standard First Aid, CPR and AED course meets the OSHA requirements and is your tool for training employees or the general public on the latest skills, techniques and expertise in life-saving procedures. The practice and feedback of using related skills in a realistic situation is integrated into the actual teaching experience.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
17. Community Paramedic Certification (CP-C)
The expectation for the CP-C exam candidate is competency in mobile integrated healthcare, and expanded EMS services in rural and urban settings, including various healthcare, mental health, and housing and service needs. This examination is not meant to test entry-level knowledge, but rather to validate competency of those paramedics providing services beyond the roles of traditional emergency care and transport.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 4 year(s)
18. Certified EKG Technician (CET)
A Certified EKG Technician (CET) produces recording or electromotive variations in a patient's heart muscle, using electrocardiograph machine, to provide data for the diagnosis of heart ailments.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
19. Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)
A Certified Emergency Manager® (CEM®) has the knowledge, skills and ability to effectively manage a comprehensive emergency management program. A CEM® has a working knowledge of all the basic tenets of emergency management, including mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. A CEM® has experience and knowledge of interagency and community-wide participation in planning, coordination and management functions designed to improve emergency management capabilities. A CEM® can effectively accomplish the goals and objectives of any emergency management program in all environments with little or no additional training orientation.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
20. Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification (EMD)
The Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) has been recognized as an essential component of effective EMS systems. Proper and timely training as well as a sound medical protocol are what help EMDs deliver quality care to the calling public with emergency medical needs.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
What is the best certification for an emergency medical technician?
The best emergency medical technician certification is Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is awarded by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this emergency medical technician certification:
- To become a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 2 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for emergency medical technicians?
The most in-demand emergency medical technician certification is Emergency Medical Technician based on all active job postings. Having this emergency medical technician certification will give you access to more emergency medical technician jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact an emergency medical technician career and salary?
The Equipment Management Specialist certification will help you to secure an paramedic position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. An paramedic's average salary is $41,625 whereas emergency medical technicians make an average salary of $39,743.
The most common combination of emergency medical technician certifications include: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), and Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS).
Online courses for emergency medical technicians to earn certifications
1. Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation
In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1) assess a basic medical patient 2) describe general pharmacologic principles and the skills associated with medication administration, 3) explain airway physiology, the assessment of the airway and available interventions for airway management, 4) identify, assess and formulate a plan to stabilize a patient with a...
2. Trauma Emergencies and Care
Welcome to Trauma Emergencies and Care. In this course, you will learn about some of the mechanics and physics of trauma on the human body, and how this can cause injury. You will continue to expand your new vocabulary with medical terminology, and learn how to describe the different injuries you may see. You will also learn about the trauma system itself- and when it is important to transport patients to a trauma center. Then we will dive into specific injuries based on what part of the body...
3. Introduction to Medical Imaging
Your guide to the history, science, math, and economics of medical imaging systems (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound)...
4. Medical Terminology
Introduction to the meaning of various roots, terms and combining forms that are components of medical words...
5. Medical Emergencies: CPR, Toxicology, and Wilderness
In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: (1) Identify the signs and symptoms associated with a patient in shock, to describe the major categories of shock, to assess a patient with signs of shock and formulate a plan for treatment to stabilize the patient for transport, (2) Identify a patient in cardiac arrest and to describe the components of high performance CPR...
6. Medical Terminology II
This is the second course of the Medical Terminology specialization. It builds on the basic concepts of medical terminology with the introduction of new roots, terms, and abbreviations specific to the endocrine system (hormones). The body's transportation and defense systems (cardiovascular, blood, and lymphatic) will also be covered as well as the respiratory system (lungs)...
7. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing
Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...
8. A Specialty Approach to Learning Medical Billing and Coding
Volume One: Medical Hematology...
9. AMCI Introduction to Medical Coding (I2MC) Course
Introduction to Medical Coding (I2MC) Course...
10. Medical Coding: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Training
Learn medical coding and prepare yourself for today's healthcare workplace...
11. Medical Terminology 101
For those in healthcare, billing, and more. Boost earning ability and marketable skills by learning to speak medicine...
12. Practical Regulatory Affairs 2020 - European Medical Devices
A practical course discussing the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) in real-world situations...
13. Medical Device Regulation (MDR): Intro for Device Designers
An introduction to the EU's Medical Device Regulation (MDR) for those involved in developing medical devices...
14. Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 EU regulatory affairs.
Understand regulations for medical devices in simple terms to gain market approval of a medical device in the EU...
15. Practical Regulatory Affairs 2020 - US FDA Medical Devices
A practical course discussing the US FDA Medical Device regulations for real-world situations...
16. EU Medical Device Regulatory Affairs explained Simply
How to get approval to sell Medical Devices within the European Union. Understand regulatory affairs & ISO 13485 2016...
17. ISO 13485 Demystified - Medical Devices' QMS 360° Insights
Deep dive into the world of ISO 13485 international standard for medical devices' QMS, basic concepts & requirements...
18. Medical Devices Quality Management System - ISO 13485:2016
Awareness and Application for the requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...
19. Emergency Life Support First Aid Training
Learn important life saving first aid. Treatment of major illness and injuries...
20. ISO 13485:2016 - Design and Development of Medical Devices
Design and Development of Medical Devices in the perspective of ISO 13485:2016 and Medical Devices Industry...