Frequently Asked Questions

EMT-Basic

• How do I register?
• What are the requirements to take an EMS class?
• Does my CPR qualify?
• What vaccinations do I need?
• Do I need to go to an Information Session?
• How much will it cost?
• I have a criminal record. Will that keep me from becoming certified?
• When do classes meet?
• Which classes do I sign up for?
• Do I get the same certification if I go through continuing education as I get from taking the course as college credit ?
• I will turn 18 years old during class. Can I still sign up?
• I want to be a firefighter and I was told I need to take the EMT-Basic class first. What class is the correct one?
• How often are classes offered? Will you be offering a class during XX semester?
• I want to become a Paramedic. Do I need to take the EMT-Basic class?
• What can I do with an EMT-Basic certification?
• Are there extra items I need to buy?
• I was dropped from the course because I missed a payment deadline, and now it's full. Can you re-register me?
• Can the class be overloaded?
• The class is full, and I need this for XX reason.  What are my options?

Advanced Training

• Do I have to wait until I have completed the prerequisite courses (EMT-Basic, Anatomy/Physiology) before I attend an Information Session?
• Do I have to wait until I have completed the prerequisite courses (EMT-Basic, Anatomy/Physiology) before I apply for admission into the advanced training program?
• Can you make an exception and overload the EMT-Basic class so I can complete my prerequisites?
• Who do I contact about applying to the advanced training?

How do I register?
You must first choose a path. Do you want to register for college credit or as continuing education?

To register for college credit, you must first be an ACC student. Contact ACC's Admissions and Records division to enroll as a student. Once you have done that, then consult the course schedule guide to find the class you want to take. You must participate in an online information session to receive an application for the EMT-Basic classes. Once your application has been approved through the Dean's Office you will be informed to begin your criminal background check.  When your criminal background check is completed you will be notified to register for class. During your registration period, sign up for the class either on the web or via telephone at 512.454.3774 or toll free at 888.891.2444. Don't forget to pay your tuition by the payment deadline or the college will drop you from the course.

To register for continuing education you must participate in the online information session to receive an application for the EMT/Basic classes. Once you have completed and submitted the application, you will be called to complete your criminal background check. Please do not initiate the criminal background check until notified.  Once you have been cleared by the compliance officer you will be notified to register with the Continuing Education/HPI admissions for EMSP 1001 and 1060.

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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.
• Beginning with the fall 2005 semester, all students must pass a criminal background check. Details on this requirement may be found by following the link on the ACC Health Sciences Division page at http://www.austincc.edu/health.
• For training beyond the EMT-Basic level, students must be currently certified as a Texas EMT-Basic, or have proof of current enrollment in an EMT-Basic class, or be eligible for National Registry Testing.

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Does my CPR qualify?
Consult the CPR requirements page for answers to CPR certification questions.

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What vaccinations do I need?
Consult the immunization requirements page for answers to immunization requirement questions.

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Do I need to go to an Information Session meeting?
EMT-Basic students are required to participate in an online information session in order to enroll in an EMT-Basic class.

Students are only required to attend an in-person Information Session if they are applying to the advanced training program (EMT-Intermediate or Paramedic). If you are taking the EMT-Basic class in order to become eligible for advanced training, you are encouraged to attend an in-person Information Session even before you start the EMT-Basic class, although it is not required in order to enroll in the EMT-Basic class.

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How much will it cost?
Costs vary depending on how you enroll (CE vs. College Credit) and your residency status. Consult the appropriate guide (college credit catalog or continuing education catalog) to calculate your tuition. For college credit students, you will take the EMT-Basic class as a 5 hour lecture/lab class and a 1 hour clinical class. Please note that there are insurance fees associated with these courses in addition to the tuition and building service fees listed. You may also contact the college's Admissions and Records department or Health Professions Institute for assistance in calculating tuition. The EMS department is unable to provide students with any information on costs.

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I have a criminal record. Will that keep me from becoming certified?
Beginning in the fall 2005 semester, all health sciences students (including EMT-Basic) that attend clinicals must pass a criminal background check prior to going to any clinical site. The requirements on this check may be viewed by following the link on the Health Sciences Division page. You may contact the Assistant Dean of Health Sciences if you have specific questions that are not answered on the website.

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.

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When do classes meet?
In the Fall and Spring semester classes usually meet twice each week for 4.5 hours at a time. Classes are currently held on Monday and Wednesday evenings (5:30-10 p.m.) at the Eastview (EVC) campus and Tuesday and Thursday evenings (5:30-10 p.m.) at the Cypress Creek (CYP) campus.

In the Summer semester, classes meet three times each week over the 11 week session for 4.5 hours at a time. The classes are currently held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at both the Eastview (EVC) campus and the Cypress Creek (CYP) campus.

Required clinicals are attended outside of class time. These clinicals are scheduled by the student during a class meeting early in the semester. Students will choose from available dates/times as provided by the Clinical Coordinator using a method to be specified in class.

There are two full-day meetings that are scheduled on a weekend each semester. These meetings cover the state requirement for extrication practice and are mandatory. The dates will be provided by the lead instructor on the first day of class.

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Which classes do I sign up for?

If you are registering for college credit enroll in EMSP 1501 and EMSP 1160. You must sign up for the same section (001, 002, etc.) for both classes.

If you are registering for continuing education enroll in EMSP 1001 and EMSP 1060. You must sign up for the same section (201, 202, etc.) for both classes.

Registration for the EMT-Basic program requires prior departmental approval. Please visit the EMT-Basic online information session pages in order to get an application for admission into the EMT-Basic program.

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Do I qualify for the same certification if I go through continuing education as I get from taking the course as college credit?
Yes. Credit and CE students receive the exact same education -- in fact the classes are combined, so CE and credit students meet together.

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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.

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I want to be a firefighter and I was told I need to take the EMT-Basic class first. What class is the correct one?
If you are registering for college credit enroll in EMSP 1501 and EMSP 1160. You must sign up for the same section (001, 002, etc.) for both classes.

If you are registering for continuing education enroll in EMSP 1001 and EMSP 1060. You must sign up for the same section (201, 202, etc.) for both classes.

Registration for the EMT-Basic program requires prior departmental approval. Please visit the EMT-Basic online information session pages in order to get an application for admission into the EMT-Basic program.

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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.

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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 Texas EMT-Basic certification, show proof of current enrollment in an EMT Basic class, or be eligible to take the national registry exam. back to top

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 ACC. EMS certification is also a requirement for anyone seeking a commission as a 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. Local pharmaceutical research companies hire EMT-Basics to assist in research. Starting pay varies from $7 to $15 per hour, depending on the employer.

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Are there extra items I need to buy?
There are a few things that students will need to purchase beyond books. Students must have a uniform, and other equipment. These equipment needs are explained in class, usually during the first meeting. Equipment costs are approximately $50 - $75.

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I was dropped from the course because I missed a payment deadline, and now it's full. Can you re-register me?
No.  The class cannot be overloaded.  You may try (1) registering through continuing education, (2) to keep registering through adds/drops, or (3) register in a following semester.

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Can the class be overloaded?
No.  Classes cannot be overloaded because we have a limited amount of time/space available in our clinical sites.  Class sizes are set based on clinical availability, so if we overloaded a class, there would not be enough clinical times available for every student.  Since all clinicals are required to complete state certification regulations, students wouldn't be able to become certified.

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The class is full, and I need this for _____ reason.  What are my options?
You have a few options.  If you are trying to register for college credit you can keep trying.  The college de-registers students at the end of the business day on Fridays if they have not paid tuition.  Try again on Saturday morning to register for one of the spots that may have opened because of this.  Also, sometimes people drop the class after initially registering, so you might find an opening.

Your second option is to register through continuing education.  They tend to start their registration later than the college credit side.  Their registration is also on a first-come-first-registered basis, so if you can't register because you don't have many credit hours at ACC, this may be the best option for you.  The CE class is exactly the same and, if needed, can be converted to credit upon successful completion (contact Eric Merino for details).

Register as early as you can, as these courses are very popular and fill very quickly.

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Do I have to wait until I have completed the prerequisite courses , EMT-Basic, before I attend a Information Session?
No.  You may attend an Information Session at any time.  If you are interested in the Paramedic training, it may be helpful to attend the Information Session before you start your EMT-Basic course.

Do I have to wait until I have completed the prerequisite courses ,EMT-Basic, before I apply for admission into the advanced training program?
No. Once you have attended the Informatiion Session, you may begin the application process. You will not be granted admission into the program until currently certified as a Texas EMT-Basic, or have proof of current enrollment in an EMT-Basic class, or be eligible for National Registry Testing.

Can you make an exception and overload the EMT-Basic class so I can complete my prerequisites?
No.  Classes cannot be overloaded because we have a limited amount of time/space available in our clinical sites.  Class sizes are set based on clinical availability, so if we overloaded a class, there would not be enough clinical times available for every student.  Since all clinicals are required to complete state certification regulations, students wouldn't be able to become certified if we overloaded the class.

Who do I contact about applying to the advanced training?
Contact administrative assistant, Eric Merino, with questions about applying to the advanced training.

Applications to the advanced training are only given out at an EMS Information Session session.   You may register for an Information Session here.

You must meet certain immunization and CPR requirements as well as pass a criminal background check.

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