Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Accelerated Program

CIP Code: 51.0904

NOVA Code: 1460

Purpose: Designed for students who are certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and who are ready to take the next step in their careers to complete NOVA’s Accelerated Paramedic Program in just 12 months. Intended for motivated students seeking an intensive, fast-track pathway to becoming a paramedic, this program combines rigorous classroom instruction with hands-on clinical and field experience. Classes and clinical rotations meet 4 to 5 days a week, where students gain comprehensive training in advanced life support, patient assessment, and emergency medical procedures. Upon completion, graduates will be prepared to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Paramedic exam and advance their careers in emergency medical services.

The prospective Paramedic student must meet the following requirements:

Prerequisite Certifications:

• Current EMT Certification: Applicants must hold a valid Virginia Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.
• CPR Certification: Proof of current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association (AHA).

Educational Background:

• High School Diploma or GED: Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED). 
• Completion of Required Pre-Course Work: Applicants must have completed one of the following Biology courses. If students initially select BIO 145, they should enroll in a general education elective prior to the completion of AAS degree. Alternatively, if BIO 141 is chosen, BIO 142 is required prior to the completion of AAS degree. The minimum acceptable grade for either course is a “C”. 
• GPA: Have attained a 2.0 GPA at the last school attended

Entrance Exam:

• Placement Test: Obtain minimum score on the FISDAP Paramedic Entrance Exam to evaluate their knowledge in a math, reading comprehension, anatomy and physiology, and EMT knowledge.

Physical and Health Requirements:

• Medical Clearance: Submission of a medical clearance form, including proof of vaccinations (e.g., Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, Tdap, COVID-19, Influenza) and a negative TB test or chest X-ray.

Background Checks:

Criminal Background Check: A clean criminal background check is required. Certain criminal convictions may disqualify an applicant due to state regulations and program policies as listed below. 

• Have never been convicted or found guilty of any crime involving sexual misconduct where lack of affirmative consent by the victim is an element of the crime. 
• Have never been convicted of a felony involving the sexual or physical abuse of children, the elderly or the infirm. 
• Have never been convicted or found guilty of any crime (including abuse, neglect, theft from, or financial exploration) of a person entrusted to their care or protection in which the victim is a patient or is a resident of a health care facility. 
• Have never been convicted or found guilty of any crime involving the use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs except that the person is eligible for affiliation or enrollment five years after the date of final release if no additional crimes of this type have been committed during that time. 
• Have never been convicted or found guilty of any other act that is a felony except that the felon is eligible for affiliation or enrollment five years after the date of final release if no additional felonies have been committed during that time.
• Are not currently under any disciplinary or enforcement action from another state EMS office or other recognized state or national healthcare provider licensing or certifying body.  Personnel subject to these disciplinary or enforcement actions may be eligible for certification provided there have been no further disciplinary or enforcement actions for five years prior to application for certification in Virginia.
• Have never been subject to a permanent revocation of license or certification by another state EMS office or recognized state or national healthcare provider licensing or certifying body.

Drug Screening:

• The applicant must pass an annual drug screen.

Letters of Recommendation and Personal Statement:

• Letters of Recommendation: A letter of recommendation from an employer, supervisor, or other professionals familiar with the applicant’s work ethic and capabilities in emergency medical services.

Age Requirement:

• Minimum Age: The applicant must be a minimum of 18 years of age at the beginning date of the certification course.

Virginia Office of EMS Prerequisites for Advanced Level Programs

• Be proficient in reading, writing and speaking the English language.
• Have no physical or mental impairment that would render them unable to perform all practical skills required for that level of certification

Additional Requirements:

• The applicant must submit proof of EMT and BLS certification
• High School diploma or GED, successful completion of an approved biology course
• Completion of the FISDAP Paramedic Entrance Exam, and letter(s) of recommendation by the application date.