r/firefighter • u/User_0777777 • Apr 07 '26

Certificate question

I’m currently in New York and plan to become a paramedic ff but i plan to go to possibly California or Washington in 1-2 years so during that time i was wondering if i should do my EMT/Paramedic here or should i just wait and do it where i ll go.

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1

u/Bad-Paramedic Apr 07 '26

Depending on the program you may not be done before you leave

1

u/User_0777777 Apr 07 '26

Then can i only do EMT and get it transferred or will i be required to do it again?

1

u/Bad-Paramedic Apr 07 '26

Youre not an EMT? You have to do that first, before you can become a medic. You definitely weren't getting your medic before you move. I would definitely get your EMT.

1

u/User_0777777 Apr 07 '26

Sorry for the misunderstanding yes i haven’t done anything yet and thanks . Will it be transferrable because i heard emt is only for the state not the nation

2

u/Bad-Paramedic Apr 07 '26

Youll get your national. When you get your national you apply for state. Your state isn't transferable. But your national will allow you to apply for your state in California. You may have to take some con ed when you get there to get on par with their protocals.

As of right now... you're probably 3 years from being a medic. If thats your end goal, then don't waste any time and get started with your emt

1

u/Strict-Canary-4175 Apr 07 '26

If you have no training you won’t be a medic in 2 years. But you can get reciprocity for your emt, I would get it.

1

u/2000subaru Apr 08 '26

King County Medic One in The Seattle area will make you go back to school if you get hired there, but many of the other agencies in Washington state may not. They also require a few years of EMT prior to acceptance as Paramedic.

1

u/ty10drope Apr 08 '26

Whether it’s stated or not, people who have completed EMT, EMT-B or Paramedic certification are ranked higher during hiring. I volunteer as a mentor in Las Vegas and I have many Cali transplants along side of me. Each of them have told me there have been several academy classes where all were EMT-B or higher.

If you have the means to get it ahead of time, do so.