Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Martin Community College offers comprehensive EMS training across every credential level — from American Heart Association certifications through Paramedic. Recent paramedic cohorts have achieved 100% NC exam pass rates and 100% job placement.
American Heart Association Courses
MCC offers Basic Life Support, Heartsaver CPR/AED/First Aid, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications.
- Course tuition: $70
- Certification card fee: $11–$26 depending on the course type
Credential Programs
MCC's four-tier EMS pipeline meets North Carolina state standards and prepares responders for licensure exams:
- Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) — 148 hours. Applicants must be at least 18, have 6 months of work/volunteer experience, and hold a valid Class C driver's license.
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) — 260 hours. Develops technicians meeting NC standards with the same baseline eligibility as EMR.
- Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) — 307 hours. Requires a current EMT credential and 6 months of prehospital experience. Qualifies for up to 14 transfer credits at participating institutions.
- Paramedic — 1,166 hours. Requires high school diploma/equivalency, a valid NC EMT credential prior to clinical components, and college-level English, Math, and Anatomy & Physiology coursework. Qualifies for up to 48 transfer credits.
Program Costs
Tuition varies by program. Students affiliated with a primary 911-response EMS agency may qualify for tuition waivers under North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 115D.
- EMR: $212 total ($32 for affiliated students)
- EMT: $413.50 total ($233.50 for affiliated)
- AEMT: $664 total ($304 for affiliated)
- Paramedic: $693 total ($333 for affiliated)
Accreditation
Both Paramedic and AEMT programs hold Letters of Review from the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP), signifying compliance with accreditation standards. A Letter of Review is not a guarantee of eventual full accreditation.
Contact CoAEMSP: 214-703-8445 • coaemsp.org
Program Outcomes
Recent paramedic cohorts demonstrate strong performance: 2024 and 2025 cohorts achieved 100% NC exam pass rates and 100% job placement, with retention rates around 55–63%. AEMT programs show 100% graduates across recent cohorts with comparable placement success.
Key Policies
- Credentialing Exam Requirements: Graduates must attempt their first exam within 90 days of course completion and successfully pass within three attempts or six months.
- Refund Policy: 75% refund available if you withdraw prior to the 10% point of class instruction.
- Transfer Credits: Institutions evaluate transcripts from regionally accredited programs, awarding no more than 50% of didactic hours or 75% of clinical rotation hours.
Contact
For transcript requests, contact the Continuing Education Registrar at (252) 789-0229. For general EMS program questions, registration, or prerequisites, contact the Continuing Education office. You can also text us at (252) 278-0457.
