Frequently Asked Questions


Frequently Asked Questions

What's the first step to apply?

First, you must be enrolled at ACC. Please see this page for information about how to get started.

How do I register?

To register, 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. Don’t forget to pay by the tuition 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 of age on the first day of the semester. 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.
  • All students must pass a Drug Screening.
  • Students must be in good academic standing; students on academic probation will not be accepted.
  • For training beyond the EMT level, students must be currently certified as a Texas EMT-Basic, or have proof of current enrollment in an EMT class, or be eligible for National Registry Testing.

Does my CPR qualify?

Consult the Student Resources page for answers to CPR certification questions.

What vaccinations do I need?

Consult the Immunizations page for answers to immunization requirement questions.

Do I need to go to an Information Session meeting?

EMT students are required to participate in an online information session in order to enroll in an EMT class.

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 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 for assistance in calculating tuition. The EMS department is unable to provide students with any information on costs.

A detailed cost report is available here.

Can I substitute work experience for any coursework?

Although the State (DSHS) does allow individual EMS programs to adjust their requirements to allow for things such as work experience and other medical certification, it is left at the discretion of each EMS education program as to what to allow. Currently, our program at ACC is not set up for this alternative entry, so we do not have a system in place for RNs, MDs, etc. coming into our program seeking to fast-track.

Can students receive ACC Foundation scholarships for EMT Basic?

Yes. Students need to complete the General Scholarship Application on the ACC website to compete for this very limited funding.

Do VA benefits pay for EMT Basic?

Yes.

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

All Health Sciences students (including EMT) that attend clinicals must pass a criminal background check prior to going to any clinical site. The requirements on this check may be viewed on the Criminal Background Check information page. You may contact the Health Sciences Compliance Coordinator, Lisa Enloe at [email protected] if you have specific questions that are not answered on the website.

When applying for certification as an EMT, 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 4.5 hours at a time. Classes are currently held on Monday and Wednesday evenings (5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.) at the Eastview campus (EVC) and Tuesday and Thursday evenings (5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.) at the Cypress Creek campus (CYP).

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 campus and the Cypress Creek campus.

Required clinicals are attended outside of class time. Clinical orientation is scheduled one of the first two Saturdays of the semester, and attendance is mandatory. Clinical schedules are chosen by the student from available dates/times provided on FISDAP® the computerized software used for all ACC-EMSP clinical scheduling.

There may be at least two other weekend dates required during the semester to cover state mandated hours for skills or extrication practice. These dates would be considered class dates and are mandatory. The dates will be provided by the lead instructor on the first day of class.

Which classes do I sign up for?

Enroll in EMSP 1501 and EMSP 1160. You must sign up for both classes.

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

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

No, you must be 18 years of age on the first day of the semester. This is a requirement of our clinical sites and is not flexible.

I want to be a firefighter and I was told I need to take the EMT class first. Which class is the correct one?

Enroll in EMSP 1501 and EMSP 1160. You must sign up for both classes.

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

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

The EMT program is one semester in length and is offered every Fall, Spring, and 11-week Summer semesters.

I want to become a Paramedic. Do I need to take an EMT class?

In order to be accepted into our advanced training program, you must hold a current Texas EMT certification, show proof of current enrollment in an EMT class, or be eligible to take the national registry exam.

What can I do with an EMT certification?

Certification as an EMT 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 EMTs. Local pharmaceutical research companies hire EMTs to assist in research. Starting pay varies from $7 to $15 per hour, depending on the employer.

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.

I was dropped from the course because I missed a payment deadline, and now it's full. Can you re-register me?

No. Students forfeit their opportunity for a seat as the slot is given to the next person on the list.

Is advanced placement, experiential learning or transfer of credits?

Advanced placement and experiential learning are not offered. If students transfer from another EMSP program, they will need to meet with the department chair to review credits.

Do I have to wait until I have completed the prerequisite courses, EMT, before I apply for admission into the advanced training program?

No. Once you have attended the Information Session, you may begin the application process. You will not be granted admission into the program until currently certified as a Texas EMT or have proof of current enrollment in an EMT class or be eligible for National Registry Testing.

Can you make an exception and overload the EMT 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?

Please contact Don Gwynn at [email protected] for any inquiries concerning our AEMT or Paramedic programs.

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