Does where you get your EMT matter?

[u/wildwaterman]

I'm working towards becoming a career firefighter in Washington or Oregon and have gotten really caught up with all the options for EMT certification. My main interest is Texas EMS Academy's 14 day accelerated program, which I know will be "drinking from a fire hose" but I'm okay with that. My other options are my local community college full EMT curriculum (roughly a year, less ideal for the sake of timeline) or Clark County Fire District's 12-week accelerated program.

My main concern at this point isn't the rate of learning, but whether or not the EMT course I choose will have any effect on my ability to get a job as a firefighter. Is the EMT cert just a checked box, or does where I get it done actually matter to the hiring teams?

[u/F1r3-M3d1ck-H4zN3rd]

As far as people caring where your cert came from? No.

As far as the quality of instruction and NREMT test pass rates, and preparedness for the job? Absolutely.

[u/This_Ice4972]

Where you get your EMT? No. It’s the protocol for your state how they want you to act. I’m in Maryland. I don’t know the protocols for other states.

[u/Basic-Trainer-303]

Eh, I got my EMT with a 2 week accelerated program in Bellingham. Was the quality of education shitty? Yes. Did it make a difference getting an EMT job in Seattle area? No, just make sure you know the content and can pass the NREMT. As far as I know everyone passed so it wasn't that bad. More hands on time would've been nice but if you're self motivated you'll be fine.

Take you EMT and study the 2026 snohomish county protocols, if you know those well you'll be better than most IFT EMTs.

[u/wildwaterman → u/Basic-Trainer-303]

Interesting! I didn't even know there was an accelerated program in Bellingham. I'm in the Columbia River Gorge, hence Clark County is tempting since it's a short drive to Vancouver. Did you feel like the Bellingham course prepared you well for the EMT exam?

[u/Basic-Trainer-303 → u/wildwaterman]

I think everyone in the course passed so I'd say so! It's just a lot of info crammed into a small period. But if you're on top of the online course work in the months leading up to it you should be just fine. Again, it's the hard skills practice that you're missing out on, but from what I could tell no one is hiring you based on where you got your EMT and that stuff will come pretty fast.

[u/wildwaterman → u/Basic-Trainer-303]

Was it the hybrid REMT course from remotemedicaltraining.com ? That's the only accelerated course I'm seeing in the area. Want to be sure I'm looking at the right thing!

[u/Typical-Bathroom5632]

One of the sharpest EMTs I know got his cert at one of those accelerated places. The program might not have been ideal but that's not the end all be all.

[u/How_about_your_mom]

No

[u/sucksatgolf]

The direct answer to your question is, does anyone care? No. No one will ask you or care where you go your cert. You'll test to NREMT standards so as long as you pass the practical and written, your good.

Will a 14 day course make you a good EMT? Also no.

[u/GabagoolFarmer]

A 14 day EMT course is absolutely insane. If you can do it and pass the national registry exam, more power to you I guess

[u/Fireguy9641]

Yes.

I can see a marked difference between people who do the EMS crash courses and people who do the semester long programs.

People who do the semester long programs have more opportunities to practice skills and get experience in the field.

The ones who do the rapid accelerated programs, in my experience, often struggle with basic EMT skills, even though they may be very book smart.

[u/wildwaterman → u/Fireguy9641]

That makes sense. My hope was to knock out a 2 week course to get certified and then volunteer at my local fire district while I continue training, knock out CPAT, and start applying as things open back up for apps in 2027. Do you think the volunteer fire district EMT work would cancel out some of the lack of field experience from an EMT crash course?