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EMT Program

Initial EMT Certification Process

Upon successful completion of the EMT course (Emergency Medical Services - EMS 3), the student must successfully pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification examination and complete an EMS agency application for certification within 23 months of the last day of class.
Chabot College does not certify a student to be an EMT.
We provide you with the necessary coursework and information regarding applying for certification. Only an EMS agency can certify someone as an EMT. An EMT certificate is good statewide, and certification can be completed through any California Local EMS Agency. 

  • For other information on certification or programs in California, visit State EMSA

Challenge Examination

Persons may obtain an EMT-1 certificate by successful completion of an approved challenge examination if:

  1. They are a currently licensed Physician in one of the United States, a Registered Nurse, a Physician’s Assistant, or a Vocational Nurse.
  2. They provide documented evidence of having successfully completed an EMS training program of the Armed Forces including the Coast Guard of the United States within the preceding 2 years that meets the Department of Transportation (DOT) EMT-l standard curriculum.
  3. An individual who was active in the last 2 years in a pre-hospital classification of the armed services, including the Coast Guard.
  4. A currently licensed, out of state Paramedic or Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (A-EMT).

For all other questions regarding information on the challenge examination or certification in general, please call the Alameda County Emergency Medical Services Agency at (510) 618-2050.

This program is accredited by the Alameda County Emergency Medical Services Agency.

Prerequisites for the EMT Program (EMS 3)

Any one of the following options is acceptable

  1. EMS 1 (Emergency Medical Responder) or EMS 30 (Emergency Medical Responder - Las Positas College) AND a valid CPR certification/card (Health Care Provider level CPR). The CPR card must be valid for the duration of the EMT course. NOTE: Health Care Provider CPR is included with EMS 1 class.
  2. Valid Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification with documentation and valid CPR certification for Healthcare provider level.
  3. Emergency Medical Response (Taken at an American Red Cross office, a 51-hour class) and current CPR for the Professional Rescuer (American Red Cross) or current Health Care Provider Level CPR card (American Heart Association).
  4. Previously completed an EMT course from another school or state. (current valid CPR certificate/card — either Healthcare Provider Level CPR or Professional Rescuer CPR).
  5. Medical experience determined to be an acceptable substitute, as determined by the EMT Program Director. (You still must have a current CPR certificate) Supporting documentation of experience must be provided prior to the first class session for approval. Acceptance into the program is at the sole discretion of the course director.  The director maintains the right to refuse any request for any reason.

Note: If you have not taken the prerequisite EMS 1 course at Chabot College or the EMS 30 course at Las Positas College in Livermore CA.  You will need to get a prerequisite waiver from a college councilor prior to the first class session.

You must be eighteen (18) years of age to take the EMT courses.

EMS 3 – Student Health Requirements

Students must provide proof of the following immunizations by the third class session.  Blood titers are the preferred method proof of immunization for the EMT program. Students not providing documentation of all required immunizations will be dismissed from the program. 

Immunization requirements are:

  1. Measles, Mumps, and Rubella(MMR) – Positive titer.
  2. Tuberculosis(TB) - a negative TB titer (preferred), two-step skin test, chest X-ray documented as negative by a physician or a TB blood test will be acceptable. Tests must not be more than 3 months old, measured from the first day of class.

TB blood tests: TB blood tests (also called interferon-gamma release assays or IGRAs) measure how the immune system reacts to the bacteria that cause TB. (This test is not available at the Chabot campus clinic)

  1. Hepatitis B vaccination series - consists of three separate immunizations (3 shots): the first shot, the second shot (given 1 month after the first shot), and the third shot (given 5 months after the second shot). Students must show proof of having started the Hepatitis B vaccination series by the third class session. A positive titer preferred.
  2. Varicella vaccine(Chicken pox) – Positive titer
  3. Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis(Tdap) – Vaccination documentation or titer (obtain booster if >5 years since you received the immunization).
  4. Influenza vaccine – current year vaccination
  5. COVID - current vaccination

Note: If you do not provide proof of immunizations you may lose your seat in the course even if you have enrolled prior to the first class session. Please provide copies of all your documents, we do not accept originals.

For more specific information on immunizations, visit CDC.

Emergency Medical Technician Refresher Courses (EMS 4)

All State of California certified EMT’s must re-certify every 2 years to maintain their certification.

To re-certify, an EMT in the state of California must complete 24 hours of continuing education and pass a skills competency verification examination. The EMS 4 class meets all hours and testing requirements to re-certify. The student must complete their re-certification through the Local EMS Agency they have certified through.

EMT refresher courses are offered at Chabot College once every Fall and Spring semester. No EMS4 classes are offered during the summer session.  To be eligible for the EMT refresher course, the student must have a current EMT certification that has not been expired for more than 2 years. Check the current class schedule under EMS 4.

For more specific information on how to re-certify, contact the Local EMS Agency you are certified through. Re-certification of your NREMT card is not required to maintain your state of California certification. Taking the Chabot college EMS 4 class does not recertify an EMT, it only provides continuing education hours and skills competency verification documentation for the EMT to complete re-certification through their EMS Agency. 

Learn more at Alameda County EMS Agency.