There are three main certification levels within Emergency Medical Services:
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EMT (or EMT-Basic)
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Advanced EMT, and
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Paramedic.
In the Aiken Tech EMS Program, we will offer all three certification levels. Each certification varies in length, state and national requirements, and cost(s).
No matter what your EMS career goals are, becoming an EMT is the first step to getting your career started.
Aiken Tech’s next EMT-Basic course will begin May 12, 2026. Students will have classes Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for eight weeks. To enter the program, please complete the college’s admissions application.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Emergency Medical Technicians provide out-of-hospital emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical services (EMS) system. EMTs have the basic knowledge and skills necessary to stabilize and safely transport patients ranging from non-emergency and routine medical transports to life-threatening emergencies. Emergency Medical Technicians function as part of a comprehensive EMS response system, under medical oversight. Emergency Medical Technicians perform interventions with the basic equipment typically found on an ambulance. Emergency Medical Technicians are a critical link between the scene of an emergency and the health care system.
From the: National EMS Scope of Practice Model
Advanced EMT (AEMT)
The primary focus of the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician is to provide basic and limited advanced emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. This individual possesses the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight. Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians perform interventions with the basic and advanced equipment typically found on an ambulance. The Advanced Emergency Medical Technician is a link from the scene to the emergency health care system.
From the: National EMS Scope of Practice Model
Paramedic
The Paramedic is an allied health professional whose primary focus is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. This individual possesses the complex knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. Paramedics function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight. Paramedics perform interventions with the basic and advanced equipment typically found on an ambulance. The Paramedic is a link from the scene into the health care system.
From the: National EMS Scope of Practice Model
The Aiken Technical College EMS-Paramedic program’s accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) is currently voluntarily inactive due to the program’s low enrollment. The College may reactivate when students enroll in the program.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
www.caahep.org
9355 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
(727) 210-2350
Course Details