EMT FAQs

Entrance Requirements (Please visit the EMT Admissions webpage for more information): 

1. Apply or reapply to HCC and complete orientation and registration workshop.  
2. College-level PERT/SAT/ACT scores, or prior college-level English and math coursework 
3. Be at least 18 years of age 
4. A cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0.  
5. Be free from physical or mental defects or disease which might impair his/her ability to function as an EMT 
6. Be free from addiction to narcotics or any controlled substance. 

7. Provide proof of immunizations and PPD prior to starting clinicals.

8. Complete an FDLE Criminal Background Check

If you have not taken classes at HCC within the last 3 semesters, you will need to reapply so that your account can be reactivated for registration. Any coursework that was in your HCC record previously will remain in your student account. 

EMT training is offered during the Spring, Summer and Fall semesters. Please review the academic calendar for registration dates.

Currently EMT training is offered at the Dale Mabry, Plant City, and South Shore campuses. All 3 of the EMT courses must be taken at the same campus. 

Training is normally completed in one semester (16 weeks). Summer semester is 12 weeks. 

The EMT program is a full-time commitment, with a full-time coursework load. A part-time program option is not available.

EMT training is a total of 12 credits. The number of credits is determined by the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.   

The breakdown of credits is as follows:  

EMS 1119 EMT Lecture (7 credits)  

EMSL 1119 EMT Lab (3 credits)  

EMS 1431 EMT Clinical (2 credit)

EMT is offered both in the evening and daytime. Clinicals are scheduled around lecture and labs. See our Course Search webpage for variations. If the semester you are looking for is not yet posted, continue to check this link for updates.

Generally, day-time lecture classes are from 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Day-time lab classes are from 10:00AM - 1:00PM. 
Generally, evening lecture classes are from 6:00 PM -9:30 PM. Evening lab classes are from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. 
Students will generally need to attend classes 2 to 4 days a week.

Students are required to attend a minimum of 20 hours in an approved hospital emergency room.  In addition, students must ride with an approved Basic Life Support ambulance provider for 36 hours and participate in a minimum of five (5) 911 responses that result in patient transport. Times and days of the clinicals will vary per semester and cohort. 

The EMT courses cannot be taken while a student is enrolled in courses at another institution. The EMT program requires a full-time commitment, as this is a 12-credit hour program with mandatory off-campus clinical expectations. Students may return to their normal course schedule at their home institution when their EMT training is complete.  

Many students enrolled in another institution choose to complete the EMT program during their summer break, or any semester in which they are not taking courses at their home institution.  

Graduates will submit an application to the Florida Department of Medical Quality Assurance to take the State Certification Exam. This exam must be taken and passed within 1 year after completing the EMT program – or, the student will need to retake the entire program.

HCC does not accept out-of-state EMT credits or EMT coursework from other institutions. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) students have two years to successfully complete all course work and one year from course completion to obtain state certification. Students who do not successfully complete the EMT program within two years or who do not obtain state certification within one year after course completion must retake all courses of the EMT program.  

** HCC does not currently offer an EMT Refresher course for students looking to brush up on prior EMT skills/education. 
 

All EMS programs students are required to have health insurance. HCC does not provide student health insurance plans. In addition, you must submit to a Criminal Background Check in order to attend Clinical rotations. EMT students must provide documentation of the following immunizations or medical records: (MMR) 

Influenza – Proof of immunization received for current flu season 

Measles (Rubella) – Proof of 2 immunizations received, OR physician-diagnosed measles, OR positive titer, OR born before 1957 

Mumps – Proof of 2 immunizations received, OR positive titer  

Rubella – Proof of 2 immunizations received, OR positive titer, OR applicant is over 40 years of age 

Tdap – Proof of 1 immunization received within the past 10 years (Note: TD, DT, DTP, DTAP do not fulfill this requirement) 

Tuberculosis – PPD skin test is valid for 1 year, OR QuantiFERON blood test is valid for 1 year, OR Chest X-ray is valid for 5 years with signed copy of HCC Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire completed within the past year 

Varicella (chicken pox) - Proof of 2 immunizations received, OR positive titer

If you have any questions regarding the immunizations that are required in order to attend clinicals, please contact the Clinical Liaison Office via email at clinicaloffice@hccfl.edu or leave a voicemail at 813.253.7482. You can also visit our office in the Technology Building on the Dale Mabry campus, room 317.  

EMT is a very rewarding profession that entails many strenuous activities. Patient moving and lifting is a very important part of the job. Students are required to move and lift a weighted manikin (approx. 160 lbs.) in various lab settings to simulate real-life situations. Students will need to complete a physical assessment/examination and receive medical clearance from a Medical Doctor (MD) that they are eligible to meet the physical requirements of the program. 

The college reasonably accommodates qualified individuals with disabilities and complies with and fully supports the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

No.  CPR will be taught during the clinical course.

The total cost of the EMT program with in-state tuition is approximately $1600. This amount includes the cost of tuition, lab fees, books, etc. The total breakdown of the program costs is located on our Program Costs webpage.

Program costs can change. Please refer to a current college catalog for course tuition rates and fees. 

There are many opportunities for certified EMT. Many local hospitals and medical offices hire EMTs to work in their facilities. The Bay Area is home to several Basic Life Support services that employ EMTs in the prehospital care setting.  

Most Fire Rescue agencies require that firefighter applicants be EMT certified as a condition of employment. If you are interested in learning more about the HCC Fire Academy and its requirements, please contact their department directly and visit the Fire Academy webpage.  

Generally, the difference is the amount of training and the tasks that they are allowed to do. Students must be EMTs, before they can become Paramedics. Where the EMT program is one-semester long, the HCC Paramedic program is a one-year long program, with a competitive admissions process. For more information visit the HCC Paramedic webpage.  

Currently, Florida does not have reciprocity with other states. If you are currently an EMT in another state you must apply to Florida for EMT status and take the Florida EMT certification exam.  For specific questions, please call the State EMS Office at 850.245.4440 

For more information about EMT salaries please check the Occupational Outlook Handbook or, contact individual employers with questions about wages and salaries.