Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I register?
2. What are the requirements to take an EMS class?
3. Does my CPR qualify
4. What vaccinations do I need?
5. How much will it cost?
6. I have a criminal record. Will that keep me from becoming certified?
7. When do classes meet?
8. I will turn 18 years old during class. Can I still sign up?
9. How often are classes offered? Will you be offering a class during ??? semester?
10. I want to become a paramedic. Do I need to take the EMT-Basic class?
11. What can I do with an EMT-Basic certification?
12. Are there extra items I need to buy?
    

How do I register?

To register, you must first be a CTC student. Contact CTC's Admissions and Records department to enroll as a student. Once you are enrolled as a CTC student, you can visit or contact the EMT/paramedic clerk at 254-526-1265 to receive an application packet for the program. Once your program application has been submitted, you will need to include all supporting required documents. Once your packet is complete, you will eligible to register for your courses with the EMT/paramedic clerk. Once registered, don't forget to pay your tuition by the payment deadline or the college will drop you from the course.

What are the requirements to take an EMS class?

• All students must be at least 18 years old before the first day of class. No exceptions can be made to this rule.
• All students must meet certain immunization requirements.
• All students must meet certain CPR requirements.
• All students must pass a criminal background check and drug screen. See details in the EMT and Paramedic Program packet.
• For training beyond the EMT-Basic level, students must be currently certified as a Texas EMT-Basic and/or National Registry EMT-Basic.
• All students must pass the HESI exam at the appropriate entry level, 50 percent for EMT-Basic, 70 percent for Advanced EMT and paramedic.

Does my CPR qualify?

The student must provide proof of a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR course or an American Red Cross Professional Rescuer CPR course. The Professional Rescuer from the Military Training Academy will also be accepted. These are the only three CPR provider cards that will be accepted.

What vaccinations do I need?

Proof of mandatory immunizations:

One dose of rubella vaccine after the first birthday or immunity to rubella (titer) and
Tetanus/ Diphtheria booster within 10 years and
Hepatitis B series (takes six months to complete)
PPD testing within 90 days prior to start date of the program and annually thereafter.
All students born on or after 1-1-57 must show proof of:
1) two doses of measles vaccine administered on or after their first birthday and at least 30 days apart,
2) one dose of mumps vaccine administered after the first birthday or
3) immunity to measles and mumps.
Proof of varicella (chicken pox) vaccination or immunity.

How much will it cost?

Costs vary depending on how you enroll and your residency status. Consult the appropriate guide (college credit catalog) to calculate your tuition. You will take the EMT-Basic class as a four-hour lecture/lab class and a one-hour clinical class. Please note there are insurance fees associated with these courses in addition to the tuition and building service fees listed. The EMS department is unable to provide students with any information on costs.

I have a criminal record. Will that keep me from becoming certified?

Our clinical sites require all students to complete and submit a criminal background check prior to gaining access to its facilities. Students who have been convicted of the following offenses will not be allowed onto clinical sites and thus will not be allowed to complete clinical rotations:

Criminal Homicide
Kidnapping or unlawful restraint
Indecency with a child
Sexual assault
Injury to a child, elderly individual or disabled individual
Abandoning or endangering a child
Aiding suicide
Agreement to abduct a child from custody
Sale or purchase of a child
Arson
Robbery
Aggravated Robbery
Assault (Class A or felony level)
Burglary
Theft (felony level)
Misapplication of fiduciary property or property of a financial institution (Class A or felony level)
Securing execution of a document by deception (Class A or felony level)

In addition, the following histories will disqualify an individual from consideration for clinical rotations:

Registered sex offenders
Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General list of excluded individuals, U.S. General Services Administration excluded parties list, Employee Misconduct Registry, U.S. Treasury – Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) List of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN), Texas Health and Human Services Commission (TX HHSC), Office of Inspector General (OIG), Exclusion List.
Felony convictions
Felony deferred adjudications involving crimes against persons (physical or sexual abuse)

All costs of the criminal background check will be the responsibility of the student.

When applying for certification as an EMT-basic, you must discuss your criminal record with the state certifying agency (Texas Department of State Health Services EMS Division) in order to have your individual record evaluated. Convictions do not necessarily prevent certification; however, failure to disclose a criminal record may result in revocation of your certification, if issued.

When do classes meet?

In the fall and spring semester, classes usually meet twice each week for five hours at a time. Classes are currently held on Monday and Tuesday mornings (8:30 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.) at central campus, Bldg. 155. We also offer a one day Paramedic class that meets all day (10 hours) on Wednesday.

In the summer semester, classes meet two times each week over the 11-week session for eight hours at a time. The classes are currently held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. - 4:50 p.m. at central campus, Bldg. 155.

Required clinicals are attended outside of class time. These clinicals are scheduled by the student using an online program called FISDAP. Students will choose from available dates/times as provided by the program database.

I will turn 18 years old during class. Can I still sign up?

No, you must be 18 years old in order to enroll in the class. This is a requirement of our clinical sites and is not flexible. The exception to this is if you are enrolled in a dual enrollment through a high school program.

How often are classes offered? Will you be offering a class during ??? semester?

The EMT-Basic program is one semester in length and is offered every fall, spring and 11-week summer semester. 

The Paramedic is offered every spring and fall semester at Central Campus. 

I want to become a paramedic. Do I need to take the EMT-Basic class?

In order to be accepted into our advanced training program, you must hold a current NREMT or Texas EMT-Basic certification.

What can I do with an EMT-Basic certification?

Certification as an EMT-Basic is the entry level for a career in EMS and is a required certification for admission into the advanced (EMT-Intermediate/Paramedic) training program at CTC. EMS certification is also a requirement for anyone seeking a commission as a certified firefighter in Texas.

In the local area, EMTs with paid and volunteer first responder organizations provide medical care at emergencies while awaiting an ambulance. EMTs may also be hired by hospital emergency rooms in supportive patient care roles. There are also several non-emergency and a few emergency ambulance services in the area that hire EMT-Basics.

Are there extra items I need to buy?

There are a few things students will need to purchase beyond books. Students must have a uniform and other equipment such as a stethoscope. The equipment needs are explained in class, usually during the first meeting.