Earn a Paramedic Certificate or Degree and Prepare for National Registry Exam and Colorado Certification

EMT-Basic
The 12-credit hour, entry-level EMT-Basic program is for those interested in working as emergency medical technicians in emergency situations. Students earning a ‘B’ or better receive a CMC Certificate of Occupational Proficiency and may take the National Registry Exam.

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EMT-Intermediate
The 17-credit hour EMT-Intermediate program trains students with EMT-Basic state certification in higher-level responsibility and more complex medical and trauma emergency treatment. Intermediate students receive credit for clinical and field internship hours and skills completed during training. Students earning a ‘B’ or better in the program will receive a CMC Certificate of Occupational Proficiency and may take the National Registry Exam.

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Intermediate to Paramedic Transition
The 30-credit hour Intermediate to Paramedic Transition Program trains Intermediate level EMTs for the highest level of certification for pre-hospital workers. Transition Program students (Intermediates) receive credit for the first semester of the Paramedic program. Students earning a ‘B’ or better in the program receive a CMC Certificate of Occupational Proficiency and may take the National Registry Paramedic Exam. This program has selective admissions requirements.

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Paramedic
The 45-credit hour Paramedic program takes Basic or Intermediate level EMTs to the highest level of certification for pre-hospital workers. CMC’s hybrid program gives students the option of attending lecture days via distance learning. Required labs are at the CMC Vail Valley campus. This program prepares students for the National Registry Paramedic Examination. This program has selective admissions requirements.

Your CMC advisor can help with your plan to become a certified for EMT or EMS service in Colorado.

Q: How do I become state certified in Colorado?
A: You must successfully complete our state/nationally approved EMT-B program (testing, practical skill stations, and clinical rotations) and then pass the National Registry CBT (computer based testing) test. There are other requirements such as a criminal background check, 18 years of age, and establishment of lawful presence in the US. So, you must first become a National Registry EMT-B before applying for State EMT-B certification. Ultimate approval of state and/or national certification is not managed by Colorado Mountain College, but from the National Registry of EMTs and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

Q: Can I use a current out-of-state EMT certificate to get my Colorado certification?
A: NO! You are required to have certification from the National Registry

Q: Is there a grace period on expired certificates?
A: NO! Your certificate expires on the date it expires. You may not practice as an EMT during this time. The CDPHE (Colorado EMS office) allows up to 6 months after your expiration date to get your paperwork and skills testing complete. The National Registry of EMTs will also not allow you to practice as an EMT past your expiration date.

Q: Is there a re-entry program for Colorado State EMS?
A: NO! Any person whose Colorado EMT certificate is more than 6 months expired is not eligible for renewal and must complete first-time application requirements. The exception to the rule would be that you have a current National Registry EMT-B certification that you could submit to the CDPHE.

Q: How do I reinstate an expired National Registry certification?
A: The following info is from the National Registry of EMTs. To be reinstated once EMT-Basic national registration has lapsed, the candidates must:

• If lapsed within a two-year period, document successful completion of a state-approved DOT National Standard EMT-Basic refresher education program within the past two years; submit a new application and fee; and successfully complete the NREMT-Basic cognitive examination and state-approved practical examination (within the past 12 months) that meets or exceeds Registry standards.
• If lapsed beyond a two-year period and still currently state-certified at the EMT-Basic level, document successful completion of a state-approved DOT National Standard EMT-Basic refresher training course within the past two years; submit a new application and fee; and successfully complete the NREMT-Basic cognitive examination and state-approved practical examination (within the past 12 months) that meets or exceeds Registry standards.
• If lapsed beyond a two-year period and state certification at the EMT-Basic level has also lapsed, document successful completion of a new state-approved DOT National Standard EMT-Basic education program within the past two years; submit a new application and fee; and successfully complete the NREMT-Basic cognitive examination and state-approved practical examination (within the past 12 months) that meets or exceeds Registry standards.

Q: How long are my certifications good for before they expire?
A: As follows:

• American Heart Assoc. CPR: 2 yrs.
• EMT Basic National Registry: 2 yrs.
• Wilderness First Responder: 3 yrs.
• EMT Basic State of Colo.: 3 yrs.
• Community First Aid & CPR: 2 yrs.
• Outdoor Emergency Care: 3 yrs.

EMT certification and recertification is a complicated process. Please call the EMS Education Office at 970-453-6757 ext. 2621 with any questions or concerns.

The Paramedic program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge necessary for employment in the fast-paced health care environment.

The program also covers the professional and ethical responsibilities required for success in entry-level employment as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

Upon completing the EMT Paramedic (AAS) program, CMC students will be able to:

1. Operate as a competent entry level paramedic in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
2. Follow professional, ethical, and legal guidelines while implementing the roles of the paramedic.
3. Establish a therapeutic and culturally appropriate patient relationship using professional communication.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of Advanced Life Support equipment.
5. Use critical thinking skills and strategies necessary to provide quality, safe, patient-centered care, identifying importance of evidence-based emergency medicine to patients with well-defined alterations in health.
6. Practice emergency medicine under the scope of practice set forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Colorado Mountain College’s Emergency Medical Services program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and is an approved Career & Technical Education program.

• Paramedic Application including essay, resume, and letters of recommendation
• Proof of being at least 18 years of age on or before the first day of class
• Successful background check and drug screen (due during first 2 weeks of class; instructions given at first class)
• Immunization records including proof of MMR vaccinations (2 shots or titer), current season flu shot, and varicella vaccines (2 shots or titer)
• Proof of 2 negative 2-step TB tests or 1 Quantiferon gold or 1 chest x-ray (any choice within the past year)
• Proof of 3 Hepatitis B vaccinations or titer or signed rejection
• Proof of current tetanus vaccination (within the past 10 years)
• Copy of current AHA CPR for the Healthcare Provider certification and health insurance card
• Proof of college level reading, writing, and math (ACT or SAT scores, college transcripts, or Accuplacer testing at CMC)
• Proof of a passing grade in Anatomy & Physiology I & II
• Proof of current National Registry and State of Colorado EMT-Basic or EMT-Intermediate Certification
• Proof of IV Therapy and Basic EKG Interpretation Certifications are highly recommended