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Emergency Medical Technician - EMT

Emergency Medical Technician - EMT
Get on the health care pathway by taking classes at Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) to prepare for the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) Exam. Students taking this specialty course will gain instruction and hands-on practice in all aspects of emergency medical care at the Emergency Medical Technician level in accordance with the National Registry guidelines.
Specialty Course Description

This training course focuses on care of life-threatening conditions, care of non-life-threatening situations, and other issues related to the care of the sick or injured. The EMT is responsible for providing or continuing the initial care and transporting the patient to the hospital in an ambulance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2020 annual mean wage in South Dakota was $21,620 - $35,570.

Admissions Process for Non-Degree Seeking Students
  1. Submit a completed application for admissions – select “Program Prep”.
  2. Immunization records verifying two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). (Required for on-campus students only)
  3. Schedule to take the ACCUPLACER test. ACCUPLACER is a placement exam over math, English, and reading. There is a $15 testing fee. The ACCUPLACER test will be waived if you have an ACT sub-score of 18 or better in English, Math, and Reading, or an SAT sub-score of at least 440 in Writing and Math. The scores must be within the past five years.*

*This is only required for program prep students interested in taking a math or English course.

Note: If you are or have been convicted, pleaded guilty or no contest to, or received a suspended imposition of sentence for a felony or certain misdemeanors, you are advised that you may not be able to complete all course requirements for this course, you may be prevented from taking required certification/licensure examinations in your chosen field, and you may be prevented from gaining employment in your course field.

If you are not a resident in the state of South Dakota, please be aware that licensing requirements vary from state to state. It is your responsibility to determine if your EMT testing results and status are valid in your state of residence, or the state in which you plan to practice as an EMT.

Career Outlook

The career expectations in this field are good. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, the job outlook for EMTs & Paramedics, from 2020-30, is 11%. (Faster than average.) EMT training will prepare you for an advanced degree in Paramedic. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2021, the average wage in western South Dakota was $37,270.

Course Requirements
EMS 101 Emergency Medical Technician* Credits: 6

Or both courses below


EMS 120 Emergency Medical Responder**    Credits: 3
EMS 125 EMR to EMT Bridge    Credits: 3
*Age Requirement: You must be at least 16 years of age to be eligible to certify as an EMT.

**Age Requirement: You must be at least 14 years of age to be eligible to certify as an EMR.

If you are not yet 16 years old, you may enroll in the course with the understanding that your certificate will be held until the age requirement is met.

Specialty Course Documents

Master Syllabi

Steps for Credential


Licensure and Certification

Professional licensure and certification requirements often vary from state to state. If you are not planning to locate and work in South Dakota and are considering an academic program that leads to a professional license or certification, it is highly recommended that you first seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency in the state you plan to work before beginning the academic program. If you need assistance locating a state licensing agency, please contact the Vice President for Teaching and Learning: Tiffany.Howe@wdt.edu or 605.718.2905.

Current as of May 1, 2023:

  1. The program curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure/certification in the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NV, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
  2. The program curriculum does not meet educational requirements for licensure/certification in the following states: NH, NJ
  3. WDT has not determined whether the program curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure/certification in the following states: American Samoa, CA, DC, Guam, HI, KS, The Republic of the Marshall Islands, ME, MI,  The Federated States of Micronesia, MS, NM, The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, NY, OH, OK, The Republic of Palau, The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, TN, TX, The Virgin Islands, UT

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