EMR, EMT, AEMT and EMS-I Initial or Refresher Course

Approved EMS Initial and Continuing Education Program Click on the link to view all approved EMS training programs.  Use the icon at the top of each column to filter and sort the table.  Click on the "Contact Website or Email" link to contact the training provider.

Initial EMS Courses 

All EMS initial education programs in Connecticut must be approved by the Office of Emergency Medical Services.  Contact the course coordinator directly for course information such as dates, times, costs and registration.  OEMS does not conduct EMS certification programs.  Refer to the Approved EMS Initial and Continuing Education Programs for the following:

• EMR – Emergency Medical Responder (60+ hours)
• EMT – Emergency Medical Technician (150+ hours)
• AEMT – Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (150-300 hours)
• EMS Instructor (must hold EMT or higher to enroll)

Approved EMT / EMR Certification Practical Exam Schedule (updated August 2024)

EMS Continuing Education

All EMS continuing education programs in Connecticut must be approved by the Office of Emergency Medical Services.  Contact the course coordinator directly for course information such as dates, times, costs and registration.  OEMS does not conduct EMS continuing education programs.  Refer to the Approved EMS Initial and Continuing Education Programs for the following:

• EMR National Continuing Competency Requirement (NCCR – 8 hours)
• EMT National Continuing Competency Requirement (NCCR – 20 hours)
• AEMT National Continuing Competency Requirement (NCCR – 25 hours)
• Paramedic National Continuing Competency Requirement (NCCR – 30 hours)
• Continuing Medical Education (applicable to all levels)

Pre-Approved Standardized Courses (updated March 2024)  Various standardized EMS courses are pre-approved for continuing education credit.  Any certified or licensed provider may use these hours towards their CME requirements.  Any person who is an approved instructor of the accrediting program may conduct these courses. For example, an EMT may claim the hours from an AHA BLS course despite the instructor not holding EMS instructor certification.

Connecticut and the National Registry of EMT (NREMT)

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Initial Paramedic License Applicants – Public Act 19-191 requires that starting on January 1, 2020, any initial applicant for paramedic licensure MUST submit with their application "evidence to this Department with their application that they have completed mental health first aid training as part of a program provided by an instructor certified by the National Council for Behavioral Health or any other certifying organization with substantially similar certification requirements, as determined by the commissioner."  This training is not required for certification as an EMR, EMT and AEMT.

This information was communicated to the EMS community on September 24, 2019 by OEMS Communication Statement 19-09 and updated on March 10, 2020 by OEMS Communication Statement 20-03.  This Department does not recommend or approve one program over another, however provides this non-exclusive list in an effort to aid applicants in complying with this law.

Information is available from the NCBH at https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/find-a-course/

List of Mental health First Aid Instructors 

1. Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) Institute Gatekeeper Training as provided by the Youth Suicide Advisory Board in conjunction with the Office of the Child Advocate, or
2. Not less than two (2) hours of training or education, approved by the Department of Public Health on screening for post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief and suicide prevention.

Many local health districts and community health agencies offer QPR at no cost.  This training is not required for initial certification as an EMR, EMT and AEMT.

This information was communicated to the EMS community on August 11, 2021 by OEMS Communication Statement 21-02. This Department does not recommend or approve one program over another, however provides this non-exclusive list in an effort to aid applicants in complying with this law.

PTSD & Suicide Prevention Guidance

Human Trafficking for EMS

All EMS Providers – Public Act 21-103 added EMS personnel to the list of those professions required to participate in approved educational program for the accurate and prompt identification and reporting of suspected human trafficking.  Refer to Sec. 6 on page 6 of the linked document.

• Initial training is to be completed within 6 months of hire as an EMS provider.
• Refresher training is to be completed every three years thereafter.
• This requirement lies with the EMS personnel and employers and will not be regulated by the Office of EMS.
• The primary contact for this program is Tammy Sneed, the Director of Gender Responsive Adolescent Services with the Department of Children and Families.Tammy.Sneed@ct.gov or 860-550-6471 (email preferred).
• This program is approved by OEMS as Continuing Medical Education.
• A list of instructors who have asked to be listed is below.

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