Pathway lookup
EMT in Virginia
These pages summarize rules to help you plan. They are not legal advice. Before you place students at a work site or change a program, check with your state agency, your district's counsel and your insurance carrier.
In short
Virginia students start EMT I at 16 with parental consent and can certify as minors under OEMS rules, but must join a licensed EMS agency to practice.
State program: EMT I 8333, EMT II 8334, EMT III 8335 (140 hrs each); CIP not published by VDOE
What a high school can deliver
The full certification in most cases: students start at 16 with parental consent and can certify as minors, but must affiliate with a licensed EMS agency to practice.
Credentials students can earn
Virginia EMT certification via NREMT exams (under 18 with parental permission); CPR; Board-approved list entry ()
Age and hour requirements
Age 16 at course start (variance if 16 by course end); TR-07 parental form under 18; 85% of classroom and lab work; EMT II needs 10+ supervised patient contacts. Rule sets no hour figure. No separate certification age found.
Other agencies involved
VDH Office of EMS (12VAC5-31 Part III, Article 5): every initial course coordinated by a certified EMS Education Coordinator; OEMS handles student eligibility and certification testing. Lead time not published.
Who can teach it
OEMS EMS Education Coordinator: 21+, Virginia EMT or higher, 3 years medical experience incl. 2 years EMS field, no enforcement action in 5 years (12VAC5-31-1549); plus TPL health route (current license, 2 years in past 5) or Health and Medical Sciences endorsement.
Child labor rules for work placements
No permit or state hour limits at 16-17. Federal HO 2 bars on-the-job driving at 16 and limits 17: students ride, not drive. Va. Code 40.1-100(B) bars hospital orderly and lab helper work under 16.
College credit after high school
No statewide agreement; New Kent County EMS program runs as Rappahannock CC dual enrollment toward a Career Studies Certificate (2023 posting; Confirm locally). CCRV Passport/UCGS is general education only.
Where to go next
EMT in other states
Other pathways in Virginia
- Nurse Aide / Patient Care
- Electrical
- Welding
- Construction and Carpentry
- HVAC/R
- Cybersecurity / Networking
- Programming / Computer Science
- Automotive
- Medical and Dental Assisting
- Cosmetology
- Agriculture
- Early Childhood Education
- Culinary and Hospitality
- Machining and Mechatronics
- Engineering and Drafting
- Firefighting
- Law, Public Safety and Corrections
- Business Management and Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
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