how long does it take to become a paramedic?

You first need to become an EMT-B which is a one semester 9 credit course plus a 1 credit lab. Once you complete the course and pass the national registry exam you can work on an ambulance as a EMT-B. Generally to get into paramedic school you need to have a year of work as an EMT-B under your belt plus have a great recommendation. It is very competitive to get in. Paramedic school is then another year and you must pass the paramedic national registry which is much harder than the EMT-B test.

Scatman doesn’t know what he’s talking about. You do not need to spend 4 years in medical school to be a medic.

First you must become an EMT-Basic. Different states have different requirements for this, but most seem to go with the National Registry. There website is http://www.nremt.org This course is typically about 2-3 months in the class and doing clinical hours in a hospital and on an ambulance. After school, you have to take an EMT-B exam which isn’t too difficult.

Once you are an EMT-B, you are eligible to become an EMT-Paramedic. Depending on your area, this may be as simple as registering for the class and showing up. However, in some areas entry into medic school is very competitive. Private paramedic schools are typically easier to get into than community colleges or hospitals that offer the medic program. Paramedic school will take about a 14-18 months from start to finish. The course work is very difficult, and you should expect to study constantly. After you finish the classroom portion, you will have to complete roughly 500-600 hours of clinicals spread out between an ambulance, an ER, ICU, and labor and delivery. Paramedic school is a huge comitment of time and money. Take your time as a basic to be sure this is the right line of work for you before you jump into medic school. Good luck.

It all depends. Once you become an EMT-B you are then able to take on the paramedic course. Paramedic courses can run anywhere from 7 months (including A&P course) or they can go up to 2 years. The 6 or 7 month course can consist of going to school 5 days a week 8 hours a day. Other courses have less weekly hours. Good luck!

well, first you must spend 4 (?) yrs in medical school, get a degree, and then find a place that needs some paramedics.