Basic EMT - Program Requirements

Certification

The Arizona Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health Services, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services & Trauma System certifies EMTs in the state. For PCC EMT-Basic students, it requires that they successfully complete required PCC prerequisites and courses, successfully complete all portions of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) exam, and meet all physical and background criteria, including criminal history. After receiving national certification, you must submit a state application to receive the Arizona state EMT certification, which is required to work in Arizona. 

Important note: If you have a criminal conviction, are awaiting trial on a criminal charge or have a physical limitation that could prevent you from performing the physical duties of an EMT, you still may be accepted into the PCC Program, but should be aware that you may not be eligible to test for or receive state and national certification. Contact DHS at 520-628-6985.

Admission, registration and payment

Prospective PCC EMT-Basic Certificate students must meet all PCC admissions requirements and all program prerequisites, without exception, prior to registration approval. Students are required to submit a completed EMT Program Admission Checklist in addition to providing copies of all program prerequisites to the EMT Service Center staff.

Students are responsible for buying the right textbooks and being aware of class room changes, etc., through MyPima. Students can learn what books are needed for courses by going to their Book List channel in MyPima or clicking on a course’s CRN in the online Schedule of Classes.

Students must observe the tuition payment deadlines to avoid cancellation of registration due to nonpayment. PCC reserves the right to drop unpaid registrations at any time without prior notice.

Note: A student will NOT receive a tuition reimbursement if he is dismissed from or fails EMT 100, or if he withdraws from the course after the College drop deadline.

Program requirements

Students are expected to attend EMT 100 for 10 hours per week and spend an additional 20 hours per week studying for the class. Throughout the course each student is required to complete 10 hours of clinical externships, outside of regular class time.

A student must meet the following course requirements or be DISMISSED from the course:

• Have no more than a total of 10 hours of absences and tardies
• Achieve an 80 percent or better on ALL graded material
• Receive a passing score on all EMT 100 practical skills tests.
• NOT fail more than two exams or three (3) skills tests two (2) times.

• Be able to perform the physical requirements related to the course, including lifting (125 pounds alone and 250 pounds with a partner), and bending and stooping
• Have vision and hearing capabilities sufficient to perform the required tasks of an EMT
• Be able to communicate in both verbal and written forms
• Complete 10 hours of clinical observation in the form of externships. If a student does not complete two (2) five (5)-hour externships, he or she will be designated as not completing the course and will NOT be able to take the NREMT exam.
• Complete DHS- and NREMT-required classroom hours for EMT 100

Dress Code

In order to maintain a professional learning/training atmosphere and to have students prepared for any type of class activity at any time, the College strictly enforces a dress code during EMT-Basic classroom hours.

The dress code requires: an official Pima Community College EMT Student T-shirt or a PLAIN navy blue T-shirt; long pants in good condition (jeans are acceptable); and shoes with closed toes and closed heels.

Hats may not be worn during class.

Note: Any student not following the dress code will be asked to leave class and will be docked five (5) classroom hours. The College also has a clinical dress code, which is explained on the first day of EMT 100.