Meeting the Colorado EMT certification requirements and becoming fully qualified usually takes six months to a year. However, this can vary considerably depending on the length of your EMT course, the amount of exam prep you need, and the availability of testing centers.
The best tip is not to rush, because heading into the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) exam before you’re ready often leads to exam failure. You have a maximum of three attempts before you’ll need to complete remedial training to be allowed another go.
To help you start planning, let’s take a look at the typical time frames associated with each phase of becoming a Colorado EMT.
The Steps Involved in Becoming a Colorado EMT
If you’re currently looking into how to become an EMT, there are four main phases in the process, as follows:
- Completing an approved EMT course or program
- Finishing dedicated NREMT exam prep
- Taking and passing the cognitive test
- Applying for state certification with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)
After completing their training, how much do EMTs make in Colorado? The average pay in the state is $23.16 per hour, or 9% above the national average, extending up to $33.72 for senior and experienced EMTs.
How competitive is EMT job market Colorado, and is it easy to find a job once you have your state certification? Although the local employment market is considered competitive, healthcare professionals are always in demand, and the sector makes up a sizable 18% of employment in the state.
How Long Does It Take to Complete Each Stage?
As we’ve noted, there isn’t a definitive timeframe every Colorado EMT will need, because courses and programs have different durations. Two candidates might also require very different amounts of time to fully prepare for the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) Exam.
Attending Colorado EMT School
Most recognized EMT programs deliver 120 to 150 hours of instruction, but this might be full-time study over one semester, split into chunks of learning with gaps in between, or evening classes to fit in around working hours. Completing an approved course is mandatory before applying to take the NREMT test. Programs cover all the national syllabus included within the exam, although they can be structured as full-time, part-time, or accelerated courses.
It’s well worth considering the options because an accelerated program might be faster, but it may not be ideal if you’re new to emergency medicine and will need extra time to digest and comprehend all the topics. Candidates attending full-time EMT school finish sooner, with programs lasting six weeks and upwards, whereas part-time courses can last around six months.
Completing Clinical and Fieldwork Rotations
EMT candidates are expected to complete practical, in-person training in real-world emergency care settings, with the standard to provide:
- Between eight and sixteen hours of training in hospital environments
- Between twelve and fourteen hours of field experience
The scheduling and availability of those clinical training days will influence the time needed to finish the course, but they are equally vital to passing the written component of the NREMT exam.
Preparing for the Colorado EMT Exam
Finally, exam prep is just as meaningful as the quality of your course, because a huge proportion of candidates who fail the test do so because they’ve rushed to book the next available test and haven’t prepared thoroughly. The Video Vault from The Paramedic Coach is a tried-and-tested resource that guides students through their studies, with thousands of video lessons, user-friendly audio explainers, knowledge-check quizzes, and exam practice questions.
Most candidates spend at least two months on exam prep, but this could take longer, especially if there are content areas you’re struggling with, or just want to be 100% confident that you’ll pass on your first attempt.
