To become a certified first responder, you must complete a training program within two years before applying for certification. Each state has approved first responder training. These courses must meet or exceed the U.S. Department of Transportation First Responder National Standard Curriculum.
One required course is Introduction to EMS Systems. Topics include roles and responsibilities of the EMS professional and medical oversight. Students learn the anatomy of the skeletal system during the Injuries to Bones and Muscles course.
During the Childbirth and Children course, students learn to care for children of various ages and for a pregnant woman.
First responders must be CPR certified and pass the NREMT certification tests. Registration on the NREMT website is required to register for tests. An application fee must be paid. Two exams are required: a cognitive exam and a pyschomotor exam. Cognitive exam results are valid for 12 months; pyschomotor exam results are valid for 24 months.