EMS Careers and Education

EMS Career Path Infographic

Start a career in EMS in only 4 months. Education and certification requirements.

EMS Education

Complete an EMS education program or online training. Use the rosters below to search for DSHS (and nationally) approved programs and courses.

• EMS Course Hours – See course hour requirements
• Excel File: EMS Education Providers
• Excel File: EMS Initial Education Courses
• Excel File: EMS Online Training Courses

EMS Exam

Once your education is complete, pass the National Registry Exam for that level of EMS certification.

• EMS Exam Information – Details and exam requirements
• EMS National Registry Exam – Schedule your exam

In Texas, there are almost 800 EMS agencies, staffing over 72,000 responding professionals, on over 5,000 ambulances.

EMS Certification

Follow the steps in the links below to obtain your certification in Texas.

• EMS Certification Process – Complete details about licensure in Texas
• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians – National EMS Certification
• EMS Continuing Education – Courses to renew current EMS certification
• EMS Reciprocity – For out of state applicants and military personnel

EMS Jobs

Emergency Medical Services in Texas are supported by both paid and volunteer personnel. Find available EMS jobs and volunteer opportunities. Use the Texas Workforce Commission website or contact EMS providers in your area.

• WorkInTexas.com – Workforce Commission job search
  • Type your level of licensure into the keyword field (EMT, AEMT, Paramedic)
• EMS Providers (Excel File) – DSHS Licensed EMS Providers in Texas

In EMS, you can work full-time, part-time, or volunteer to support your community’s emergency health care needs. It's a career in high demand where you can grow your knowledge and expand your personal worth in a fast-paced setting.

Top Reasons People Work in EMS:

1. Great way to serve people and your community.
2. Camaraderie and sense of family within the EMS system.
3. Competitive salaries and benefits.
4. Provides the necessary experience to advance into other careers.     

EMS Career Advantages:

1. Become certified and start work in as little as 4 months.
2. Stable job security because there is always a need in our communities.
3. Advancement from an EMT to a Licensed Paramedic.
4. Average EMS salary in Texas is $60,000 annually, and continues to increase.

Hear first-hand from Texas EMS personnel. Explore their careers, how they got started, and what it’s like in EMS.

Adam, Licensed Flight Paramedic
Adam describes working as a flight paramedic and ways to get involved to start an EMS career.