Online EMT Classes: Explore Schools & Review Programs
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
Healthcare Education Nursing Pre-Nursing Nursing Nursing Ed.
Paramedicine EMT TrainingBeing an EMT is both satisfying and demanding, making it imperative to get the specialized training you need to rise to the challenges that come with the job. But in order to get this training, hopeful EMTs have to find the right program first. This guide explore top programs, curriculum, training, and careers.
Programs that might interest you:
What Nurses Recommend When Choosing an EMT Program
The programs covered in this guide meet our standards for quality EMT training and certification preparation. Still, EMT training is demanding, and the right program is one you can actually complete, meaning it has to fit your schedule, your location, and your pace. Our nursing experts and healthcare professionals share what they’d look for when evaluating your options.
Skills Labs Are Non-Negotiable
Just like your future day-to-day work, EMT training moves fast. While online class portions are important, skills lab and ride-along hours are where you’ll actually become a competent tech. Before committing to a hybrid program, ensure it has plenty of hours dedicated to these hands-on portions.
The New NREMT Tests Decisions
The NREMT cognitive exam changed significantly in 2025, and it now tests clinical decision-making rather than how well you memorized a checklist, so an online program that skips quality simulation time is going to leave you underprepared when it counts. Make sure any program you choose builds in high-quality hands-on practice.
Online EMT Training Program Options
When students decide to enroll in an EMT training program, there are a few levels for them to choose from — and as they progress from one level to the next, the coursework becomes more comprehensive and challenging. In addition, with this progression students are required to invest more time in their studies.
The following are the different EMT training program levels and what students can expect when they pursue these programs.
Certificate
EMT certificate programs are designed for people who want to learn the fundamentals of administering emergency medical services so they can land jobs as ambulance attendants, firefighters, park rangers, and life guards.
Program features:
- Takes about 130 hours to complete classroom instruction and clinical training
- Teaches students basic EMT functions, such as how to treat airway problems, perform triage after an accident, and complete an assessment during an emergency
Diploma
Like certificate programs, EMT diploma programs are designed to prepare students to obtain the state certification they need to land entry-level emergency medicine positions.
Program features:
- Requires 180 hours of training to graduate
- Offers immersive learning experiences, allowing students to work closely with their instructors and peers during simulated exercises and emergency ride-alongs.
- Teaches students how to use the tools of the trade, such as oxygen delivery systems, stretchers, suction devices, and backboards.
Associate degree
Students who enroll in an EMT associate degree program get more in-depth training for their careers than those who earn certificates or diplomas.
Program features:
- Takes two years to complete
- Teaches students the basics of the field as well as health care ethics, medical terminology, and anatomy and physiology
- Provides a more well-rounded educational experience with additional coursework in mathematics, public speaking, and general psychology
Resources:
What to Expect: Online Classes & In-Person Training
EMTs work in a high-stress environment that requires them to think fast on their feet in order to help save people’s lives. To do this job effectively, these professionals must obtain specialized training to hone their skills and meet the national and state standards expected of them.
The skills that students gain during their training can be developed during both online and on-campus classes. The following are examples of the courses students may complete in EMT programs and the information they learn.
How Much Do EMT Courses Cost?
The amount that students can expect to pay for their EMT training program varies depending on the school they attend and the program level they want to complete. In some cases, students are charged by the credit hour, while other schools charge by the semester or require one lump sum payment for the entire course.
Generally, the range for these programs is between $1,000 and $3,000, with the price increasing with the length of the program.
EMT students who need assistance paying for their tuition may be eligible to receive financial aid, including loans, grants, and scholarships. Learn how to finance your EMT training with our complete guide to financial aid for healthcare education.
Resources:
Timeline: How Long Does It Take to Become an EMT?
The length of time it takes to become an EMT depends on the type of training program that students pursue:
- Certificate: six to nine months
- Diploma: around a year
- Associate degree: two years
Prospective students can find out how long they can expect to devote to a specific program by reviewing the information in our rankings above.
Completing an EMT program is an important step in the process of entering this career, but it is only one step. The following is a basic timeline that people must follow in order to pursue this career path:
- Complete a high school diploma or its equivalent
- Earn a CPR certification
- Complete an accredited EMT program
- Pass the cognitive and psychomotor portions of the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) examination
- Complete relevant state-specific requirements
Career Outlook & Salaries for EMTs
U.S.
$44,470
Alabama
$37,810
Alaska
$57,440
Arizona
$39,500
Arkansas
$36,230
California
$46,380
Colorado
$45,750
Connecticut
$50,640
Delaware
$46,790
District of Columbia
$46,650
Florida
$39,870
Georgia
$45,550
Hawaii
$66,410
Idaho
$38,840
Illinois
$42,260
Indiana
$42,740
Iowa
$40,660
Kansas
$35,780
Kentucky
$36,800
Louisiana
$35,870
Maine
$46,340
Maryland
$48,100
Massachusetts
$50,230
Michigan
$39,870
Minnesota
$48,090
Mississippi
$36,630
Missouri
$42,160
Montana
$36,140
Nebraska
$41,710
Nevada
$37,560
New Hampshire
$46,790
New Jersey
$53,610
New Mexico
$37,550
New York
$48,400
North Carolina
$44,250
North Dakota
$39,670
Ohio
$40,220
Oklahoma
$34,170
Oregon
$49,270
Pennsylvania
$43,310
Rhode Island
$51,290
South Carolina
$40,370
South Dakota
$36,800
Tennessee
$40,330
Texas
$37,260
Utah
$38,930
Vermont
$45,600
Virginia
$45,420
Washington
$52,690
West Virginia
$34,360
Wisconsin
$43,060
Wyoming
$47,070
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
Understanding EMT Certification Online
The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians provides certifications in order to ensure that EMTs meet the high standard of patient care expected of their position. The following are the different levels of certification that professionals can obtain depending on their career goals.
The EMT-Basic Certification (EMT-B)
The EMT-B is the first level of certification that professionals can earn in order to enter the field. This certification requires 110 hours of study.
People who receive an EMT-B are trained to provide basic life support functions, but there are limits on what they may be allowed to do on the job.
Each state has its own criteria for the care that professionals at this level are allowed to deliver, which may include:
- Administering medications
- Clearing a patient’s airway
- Splinting bones
- Performing an assessment
- Inserting and monitoring IVs
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)
The AEMT certification is for those who have received about 200 to 600 hours of EMT training to provide more advanced care than those with an EMT-B credential.
Among the skills that people who receive this certification should master are:
- Oxygenation
- Trauma triage
- Defibrillation
- Cardiac arrest skills
National Paramedic Certification (NRP)
The National Paramedic Certification (NRP) is the highest credential that EMTs receive. To qualify for this designation, people get up to two years of training so they can provide more advanced care than their counterparts with EMT-B and AEMT certifications.
Some of the skills those with this certification may be required to know are:
- Pharmacology
- Advanced airway management
- Team leadership
