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

For the Fall 2023 cohort, the EMT Paramedic AAS and Certificate programs are offered at CMC Vail Valley at Edwards only.

Future cohorts may have “alternate” lab locations host at additional CMC campuses.

If you wish to take your courses through Salida or Steamboat Spring, choose the Vail Valley at Edwards location when applying, but let us know about your desire to take classes through an alternate lab location in the "Questions" field on the final page of your application.

Anticipated alternate sites for labs under current consideration are Steamboat Springs for the 2024-2025 cohort and Salida for the 2025-2026 cohort.

Program Learning Outcomes are what we expect each student will learn while earning a degree or certificate. Meeting these learning outcomes is how we assess our performance as a college. Our learning outcomes support both important career skills and future success as a student.

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.

The Colorado Mountain College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355-113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
727-210-2354, fax
www.caahep.org

Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett TX 75088
214-703-8445
214-703-8992, fax
www.coaemsp.org

Certified and registered paramedics have careers with ambulance and fire services, hospital emergency departments and clinics, ski patrols and search-and-rescue organizations. Many go on to complete academic degree programs in pre-medical studies, physician assistant careers, nursing and emergency medical management.

The demand for paramedics is growing fast, providing expanding career opportunities. Many rural areas are making use of expanded scope skills, and are using paramedics in increased capacities. Some graduates will choose to work in a clinical environment.

Fire departments also have an increasing demand for firefighter/medics. Colorado Mountain College offers a Fire Science degree that complements our paramedic training.

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.

• Paramedic Application including essay, resume, and letters of recommendation (please include a copy of your IV Therapy and MMR vaccine with the application)
• 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 fully vaccinated against COVID-19
• Proof of 2 negative 2-step TB tests or Quantiferon blood test (either test within the past year)
• Proof of 3 Hepatitis B vaccinations or titer
• Proof of current tetanus vaccination (within the past 10 years)
• Copy of current AHA CPR for the Healthcare Provider certification
• Proof of health insurance
• 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 with a grade of C or better
• Proof of current National Registry and State of Colorado EMT-Basic or EMT-Intermediate Certification
• Proof of IV Therapy
• Basic EKG Interpretation Certification is highly recommended

If you are a Colorado resident, you may obtain a copy of your vaccination records at the Colorado Immunization Information System. A fee may apply and is the responsibility of the applicant. There are no exceptions to the vaccination requirements and/or the background check requirement.

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Failure to keep the EMT and CPR certifications current – or any of the prerequisites mentioned above not meeting the standard – will result in removal from the program or consideration of entry into the program.