2 year Associate Degree in Paramedicine. Full time semesters and a couple of short summer elective courses, such as EMS Spanish & Medical Terminology. EMT portion was completed in one semester. Once you pass the course, you are then eligible to take the Texas Department of Health EMT test. Same thing for each goes for each phase. And the National Registry (not a required test) adds weight to your resume and expands a bit on your skills. However, the primary reason for National Registry is to allow you to work in any state and not have to go take additional classes or have to test off on another state's EMT test to be qualified to work. Otherwise, you can only work in the state you certified in. And every two years after you will have to take a CE written test to keep your certification. It just demonstrates to the state you are active and competent to keep working in EMS.
