Iowa has a total of 12 colleges that provide EMT Training. These colleges provide training at various different levels including a Diploma and Basic Certificate program. They also offer advanced certificate program and an Associate’s degree for students who are more experienced. Some of these schools also offer evening and weekend sessions for students who are unable to attend class during the week due to work or other reasons. Students are expected to complete both classroom and practical programs in order to be certified Emergency medical Technicians.
Some of the common admission requirements for colleges in Iowa include; a high school diploma, a CPR certification, a background check and liability insurance.
EMT Certificate and Degree programs offered:
- Emergency Medical Technician Certificate
- Paramedic Certificate
- Advanced EMT Certificate
- Emergency Medical Technician Course
- A.A.S in Paramedics
- EMS- Paramedic Diploma
- A.A.S in EMS
Career Requirements.
In order to be certified as an EMT in Iowa, applicants are required to complete a training program that is approved in Iowa and successfully complete and pass the written and practical NREMT exam.
All certification requirements must be fulfilled and an EMS certification received by the state within 2 years of completion.
The Requirements for EMT Certification in Iowa.
- The candidate must be 18 years of age or older
- EMT Training from a state-approved training school
- Candidates must pass a state-approved CPR training
- Candidates must pass the NREMT examination.
Iowa Class Details.
Kirkwood Community College. Kirkwood Community College offers Basic and Advanced Certification classes. The EMT courses are provided by the school’s regional center for EMS education, an organization formed by a partnership between Kirkwood Community College, Area Ambulance Service, Mercy Medical Center, and St. Luke’s Hospital.
Iowa Western Community College. Iowa Western Community College offers four training programs in addition to an EMR course. The EMT-Basic course requires applicants to be at least 17 years of age or older and CPR certified before enrolling. The EMT class is also available online, traditional and hybrid. EMTs that currently hold a certificate can apply for the EMT-Advanced course, the EMS Diploma Course or the A.A.S in EMS: Paramedic program to advance their career. The EMS diploma is available in two formats which are students are allowed to complete 27.5 credit hours of coursework over 2 semesters in a traditional format or select the hybrid format that combines online learning with five in-person skills sessions.
Northeast Iowa Community College. This college provides an EMT-Basic course and an Associate of Applied Science in Paramedic degree program. The EMT-Certificate program comprises of an eight hour credit class and is available in both the fall and spring semesters. Students must be 17 years of age or older before applying and must also hold a CPR Certification.
Western Iowa Tech Community College. This school in Sioux City offers its applicants various choices in EMS Training. The Emergency Medical Technician certificate program prepares learners for the NREMT examination. Students also have the option to train as an advanced EMT; the basic course is a requirement for the advanced EMT program. WIT also provides an EMR program, an emergency planning certificate, an emergency manager basic skills certificate and degree programs.
Tuition and Fees.
Kirkwood Community College: $4,832 for Iowa residents and $6,120 for out-of-state students.
Iowa Western Community College: $5,952 for Iowa residents and $6,112 for out-of-state students.
Northeast Iowa Community College: $5,820 for Iowa residents and $6,420 for out-of-state students.
Western Iowa Tech Community College: $4,272 for Iowa residents and $4,296 for out-of-state students.
EMT Online Course in Iowa.
Online training is designed to enable students to work at their own pace. Studying online is a very convenient and suitable method for most students who are working or parenting during the week and are only able to give time to their studies on the weekends or holidays.
Studying online also allows students to work at their own speed and comfort. The student is granted a total of 6 months to complete all parts of the EMT course. For the practical classes, students are asked about their convenient timings and then days are fixed for the practical sessions.
Enrollment is completely straightforward. First, complete the program application online, hand in a scanned copy of your government issued photo ID and lastly, you must hand in proof of your high school graduation.
The tuition includes:
- An eBook and audiobook
- BLS for Healthcare Provider Class
- Polo Shirt for Class Rotations
- Clinical Rotation Fees
- Criminal Background Check
- Drug Screen
- Clinical I.D. Badge
- Liability Insurance.
EMT Training FAQs in Iowa.
When do EMT courses start? First week of September all the way through early April.
When is the Hybrid course offered? The Hybrid EMT course is offered twice a year. The courses normally start mid-August or early January every year.
Which schools offer EMT Training in Iowa? There are a total of 12 colleges that provide EMT training in Iowa. Each college provides various options that you can choose according to what you want to pursue as your career.
Is a hybrid EMT Basic course right for me? An online course is much more convenient than a traditional classroom based course. The responsibility on the student is much heavier though because it is up to you to remember an assignment due date etc.
If I have a current EMT-Basic certification from a state other than Iowa, will that meet admission requirements? No. A current state of Iowa EMT-Basic certification is required before you are accepted into the program.
How can I contact the instructor in case of any more questions? The best way to contact the instructor is through email.