Oversight of EMTs in Texas is done by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and they also oversee all EMT training in Texas as well. Joining the growing medical field in Texas is looking real good with as much demand they are seeing across the state. EMT jobs are on the rise and if you want to become an EMT in Texas, just follow our guide below and you will be on your way!
Find Approved EMT Training in Texas Below
How to Become an Emergency Medical Technician in Texas
There is a clear path to becoming an EMT in Texas and we will walk you through every step along the way. From meeting training enrollment demands to how to go about getting certified, we will cover it all for you below.
Step 1: Be Sure to Meet all Entrance Prerequisites
In Texas you have to be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or GED to enter EMT training. Since background checks are necessary for licensing, you can ask for a pre-screen background check before entering training if you have a conviction that you want the Texas State Board to consider. This is so you do not waste your time and money if you will not be eligible in the end. Pre-screen checks have a $50 fee associated with them.
Step 2: Enroll in to and Pass Approved EMT Programs in Texas
Because the Texas Department of Health and Human Services requires the completion of approved EMT courses before any EMT candidate can get an EMT certification in Texas, it is imperative that you only consider approved EMT classes when looking at where you want to get your training. Once you have passed your classes, you can then register to take the NREMT certification examinations at a testing center near you.
How long is Texas EMT Training?
Texas standards are that EMT training must be at least 140 hours.
Step 3: Become CPR-BLS certified
It is important to note that a CPR certification is mandatory for EMT certification. Check with your perspective EMT program to see if they offer CPR training in their educational curriculum. If they do not not, you will still have to get a CPR certificate from an outside agency (RED Cross is a good one)
Step 4: Pass the National Registry’s EMT Cognitive and Psychomotor assessments
Texas recognizes the NREMT National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians as the certifying body for their emergency medical techs. All aspiring EMTs will have to pass both of the certifications exams given by the NREMT. They are a written and physical skills test. There is also a fee associated with each time the test is taken.
For more details about the exams click here.
Step 5: Become registered on the National EMT Registry
Texas accepts and recognizes the national standards set by the National EMT Registry and after pass your NREMT exams you must register with the NREMT and apply to the state for your EMT license. Candidates will have to submit a background check and pay a fee when doing so. Here is a link to the fee schedule from the state.
How much do EMTs Earn in Texas?
You can see that the average salary is quite strong for an EMT in Texas with an average pay of $16.55 per hour and $34,430 per year. The following data table using bls.gov data displays Emergency Medical Technician salary in Texas in better detail.
| Location | Pay Type | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Hourly | $10.52 | $16.05 | $27.40 |
| Yearly | $21,880 | $33,380 | $56,990 | |
| Texas | Hourly | $11.15 | $16.55 | $26.16 |
| Yearly | $23,190 | $34,430 | $54,410 | |
| Amarillo, TX | Hourly | $14.96 | $25.12 | $30.63 |
| Yearly | $31,120 | $52,250 | $63,710 | |
| Texarkana, TX-Texarkana, AR | Hourly | $12.19 | $22.42 | $33.80 |
| Yearly | $25,350 | $46,640 | $70,300 | |
| Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX | Hourly | $13.30 | $20.65 | $28.45 |
| Yearly | $27,660 | $42,960 | $59,170 | |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | Hourly | $11.97 | $19.90 | $31.83 |
| Yearly | $24,890 | $41,400 | $66,210 | |
| Victoria, TX | Hourly | $9.27 | $18.54 | $24.15 |
| Yearly | $19,270 | $38,550 | $50,230 | |
| Waco, TX | Hourly | $14.91 | $18.36 | $27.64 |
| Yearly | $31,020 | $38,190 | $57,490 | |
| Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $12.85 | $18.03 | $29.50 |
| Yearly | $26,730 | $37,500 | $61,370 | |
| Midland, TX | Hourly | $12.03 | $18.03 | $24.72 |
| Yearly | $25,030 | $37,500 | $51,410 | |
| Odessa, TX | Hourly | $11.59 | $18.00 | $24.69 |
| Yearly | $24,110 | $37,440 | $51,360 | |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | Hourly | $11.75 | $17.64 | $24.75 |
| Yearly | $24,450 | $36,690 | $51,470 | |
| Laredo, TX | Hourly | $15.30 | $17.25 | $19.31 |
| Yearly | $31,830 | $35,870 | $40,170 | |
| Northwestern Texas | Hourly | $10.16 | $16.37 | $24.12 |
| Yearly | $21,140 | $34,040 | $50,160 | |
| Central Texas | Hourly | $10.09 | $16.30 | $27.33 |
| Yearly | $20,990 | $33,900 | $56,840 | |
| Gulf Coast Texas | Hourly | $10.65 | $15.93 | $24.54 |
| Yearly | $22,160 | $33,140 | $51,050 | |
| Lubbock, TX | Hourly | $10.12 | $15.91 | $27.38 |
| Yearly | $21,050 | $33,100 | $56,950 | |
| Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX | Hourly | $10.39 | $15.83 | $23.84 |
| Yearly | $21,610 | $32,920 | $49,590 | |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | Hourly | $10.50 | $15.56 | $23.33 |
| Yearly | $21,850 | $32,370 | $48,530 | |
| San Angelo, TX | Hourly | $11.10 | $15.37 | $28.94 |
| Yearly | $23,090 | $31,970 | $60,180 | |
| Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX | Hourly | $12.18 | $15.34 | $23.93 |
| Yearly | $25,340 | $31,900 | $49,780 | |
| Southern Texas | Hourly | $9.92 | $14.54 | $23.86 |
| Yearly | $20,620 | $30,240 | $49,630 | |
| North Central Texas | Hourly | $9.79 | $14.52 | $19.22 |
| Yearly | $20,360 | $30,210 | $39,970 | |
| Longview, TX | Hourly | $10.22 | $14.42 | $22.61 |
| Yearly | $21,260 | $29,990 | $47,030 | |
| Eastern Texas | Hourly | $10.16 | $14.27 | $21.99 |
| Yearly | $21,120 | $29,680 | $45,740 | |
| Corpus Christi, TX | Hourly | $10.19 | $13.96 | $20.24 |
| Yearly | $21,200 | $29,040 | $42,100 | |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | Hourly | $10.59 | $13.73 | $23.56 |
| Yearly | $22,030 | $28,560 | $49,000 | |
| Abilene, TX | Hourly | $11.45 | $13.70 | $20.52 |
| Yearly | $23,820 | $28,500 | $42,670 | |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | Hourly | $10.04 | $13.44 | $20.73 |
| Yearly | $20,880 | $27,960 | $43,120 | |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | Hourly | $10.18 | $13.34 | $17.56 |
| Yearly | $21,170 | $27,740 | $36,530 | |
| Wichita Falls, TX | Hourly | $10.43 | $13.02 | $15.10 |
| Yearly | $21,700 | $27,080 | $31,410 | |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | Hourly | $9.89 | $12.99 | $22.23 |
| Yearly | $20,570 | $27,020 | $46,240 | |
| El Paso, TX | Hourly | $8.23 | $11.51 | $24.29 |
| Yearly | $17,120 | $23,940 | $50,530 |
The Outlook for EMT Jobs in Texas?
It is just great news for the EMT field in Texas when the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a 30% rise in EMT and Paramedic employment across Texas.
Approved EMT Courses in the State of Texas
Alvin Community College
3110 Mustang Rd
Alvin TX 77511
281-756-3500
Amarillo College
2011 S. Washington
Amarillo TX 79109
806-371-5000
Galveston College
4015 Ave Q
Galveston TX 77550
409-944-1220
South Plains College
1401 S. College Ave
Levelland TX 79336
806-894-9611 ext 2542
Tarrant County College District
1500 Houston St
Fort Worth TX 76102
817-515-8223
Vernon College
4400 College Dr.
Vernon TX 76384
940-552-6291
College of the Mainland
1200 Amburn Road
Texas City TX 77591
409-938-1211
Laredo Community College
West End Washington St
Laredo TX 78040
956-721-5140
Collin County Community College District 3452
Spur 399
Mckinney TX 75069
972-881-5790
Houston Community College
3100 Main Street
Houston TX 77002
877-422-6111
Austin Community College District 5930
Middle Fiskville Rd
Austin TX 78752
512-223-7000
Paris Junior College
2400 Clarksville St
Paris TX 75460
903-785-7661
Lamar Institute of Technology
855 E Lavaca
Beaumont TX 77705
409-880-8321
South Texas College
3201 W Pecan
Mcallen TX 78502
956-872-8311
Howard College
1001 Birdwell Lane
Big Spring TX 79720
432-264-5000
Angelina College
3500 South First
Lufkin TX 75902
936-639-1301
El Centro College
801 Main Street
Dallas TX 75202
214-860-2037
Texarkana College
2500 N Robison Rd
Texarkana TX 75599
903-823-3456
Panola College
1109 W Panola Street
Carthage TX 75633
903-693-2000
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
7703 Floyd Curl Dr
San Antonio TX 78229
210-567-2621
Victoria College
2200 E Red River
Victoria TX 77901
361-573-3291
McLennan Community College
1400 College Dr
Waco TX 76708
254-299-8622
Navarro College
3200 W 7th Avenue
Corsicana TX 75110
903-874-6501
Central Texas College
6200 West Central Texas Expressway
Killeen TX 76549
254-526-7161
Lamar State College-Orange
410 Front St
Orange TX 77630
409-883-7750
Northeast Texas Community College
2886 FM 1735
Mount Pleasant TX 75455
903-434-8100
Brookhaven College
3939 Valley View Ln
Farmers Branch TX 75244
972-860-4700
Weatherford College
225 College Park Drive
Weatherford TX 76086
800-287-5471
Grayson College
6101 Grayson Drive
Denison TX 75020
903-465-6030
San Jacinto Community College
8060 Spencer Hwy
Pasadena TX 77505
281-998-6150
Wharton County Junior College
911 Boling Hwy
Wharton TX 77488
979-532-4560
El Paso Community College
9050 Viscount Blvd
El Paso TX 79925
915-831-2000
Tyler Junior College
1400 East Fifth Street
Tyler TX 75701
903-510-2200
Blinn College
902 College Ave
Brenham TX 77833
979-830-4000
Texas State Technical College
3801 Campus Drive
Waco TX 76705
800-792-8784
Del Mar College
101 Baldwin Blvd.
Corpus Christi TX 78404
361-698-1255
Odessa College
201 W University Blvd
Odessa TX 79764
432-335-6400
Midland College
3600 N Garfield
Midland TX 79705
432-685-4500
National American University-Georgetown
1015 W. University Ave, Suite 700
Georgetown TX 78628
512-942-6750
Kilgore College
1100 Broadway
Kilgore TX 75662
903-984-8531
Lone Star College System
5000 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands TX 77381-4399
832-813-6500
Texas Southmost College
80 Fort Brown
Brownsville TX 78520
956-295-3600
Hill College
112 Lamar Dr
Hillsboro TX 76645
254-659-7500
Brazosport College
500 College Dr
Lake Jackson TX 77566
979-230-3000
Temple College
2600 S 1st St
Temple TX 76504
254-298-8282
San Antonio College
1819 N. Main Ave.
San Antonio TX 78212
210-486-0000
North Central Texas College
1525 W California Street
Gainesville TX 76240
940-668-7731
Trinity Valley Community College
100 Cardinal Drive
Athens TX 75751
903-675-6200