Emergency Medical Technician Training

An Emergency Medical Technician, commonly called an EMT, provides basic emergency medical care to people who are injured or experiencing a medical emergency. EMTs assess patients, manage airways, control bleeding, provide lifesaving interventions and safely transport patients for additional care. They often work for ambulance services, fire departments, hospitals, event medical teams and other emergency-response organizations.

The UT San Antonio Emergency Medical Technician training program currently costs $3,200. Financing options may include payment plans and SA: Ready to Work funding for eligible participants. Students should review the current registration information to confirm tuition and determine whether additional expenses, such as required clothing, equipment, screenings, certification applications or examination fees, are included.

The scheduled EMT coursework is designed to be completed in approximately 16 weeks. Students should expect six to 14 hours of scheduled instruction and training each week, depending on the course calendar. Required clinical rotations and field experiences may continue after the listed classroom completion date, so the full time needed to satisfy every program requirement may extend beyond 16 weeks.

No. Successfully completing the UT San Antonio EMT course prepares graduates to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians examination, but course completion alone does not grant EMT certification or Texas licensure. Graduates must separately satisfy the current NREMT testing requirements and complete the Texas Department of State Health Services certification process before working as a certified EMT in Texas. For a step-by-step overview of the training, testing and state application process, read our guide on how to become an EMT in Texas.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and provide a valid photo identification. A background check is required for enrollment, and students may also need to satisfy drug-screening, immunization, physical ability or documentation requirements before participating in clinical or field experiences. Applicants should review the complete admissions checklist before registering.

The UT San Antonio EMT program includes in-person instruction and hands-on training. Students participate in classroom lessons, skills laboratories, emergency simulations, clinical rotations and field ride-alongs. Because EMT education requires students to demonstrate patient-care and emergency-response skills, the program cannot be completed entirely online. Training is provided in partnership with ArcLight Academy in San Antonio.

Students learn patient assessment, airway management, oxygen delivery, ventilation, bleeding control, shock management and treatment for medical and trauma emergencies. The curriculum also covers anatomy and physiology, patient communication, legal and ethical responsibilities, pediatric and geriatric care, obstetric emergencies, hazardous-materials awareness, ambulance operations and multiple-casualty incidents. Students practice these skills through laboratories, simulations, clinical rotations and ride-alongs.

Yes. Students complete hands-on skills laboratories, simulated emergency scenarios, clinical rotations and field ride-alongs as part of the EMT training experience. These activities allow students to practice patient assessment, emergency care, teamwork and safe transportation under supervision. Clinical and field schedules may occur outside regular classroom hours and may continue after the scheduled coursework has ended.