EMT-Basic
Becoming a Florida EMT
Deciding to enroll at the Coral Springs Regional Institute of Public Safety to pursue your dream of becoming a Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic in the State of Florida is a huge step. It can be an overwhelming journey if not planned out properly.
At CSRIPS, we offer all the essential courses you need to become a competitive candidate for fire service positions in Florida. Most agencies in the Southeast region—including Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties—require applicants to hold both Firefighter and Paramedic certifications. However, some departments in other parts of the state may accept candidates who are certified as Firefighter/EMTs or Firefighters only. To meet the broadest range of hiring requirements, you’ll need to complete EMT, Paramedic, and Firefighter I & II training and earn state certification in each. All of this can be achieved through our programs at CSRIPS.
EMT-Basic is a pre-requisite for both our Paramedic and Firefighter I & II courses. The information we provide can help you determine which will be best for you. Please review each course to assist with making the best decision for you to be successful, remember this process can take up to two (2) years to complete.
Certified EMT Functional Job Description Video Coming Soon!
EMT-Basic Outcomes
Based on 2024 Accreditation Reporting
Graduated: 71% License Pass Rate: 94% Placement: 76%
Please read this carefully:
Only Candidates that have a fully completed application, including application fee, will proceed in the application process. If your application is not complete in any way, your application will not be reviewed and will not be accepted.
Class Sessions and Tuition & Fees
Winter
Tues & Thurs Night Class – Start Date: Jan 6, 2026
Tues & Thurs Day Class – Start Date: Jan 13, 2026
Open House: Sept 8 & Oct 13
Registration: Nov 17 – 28
Notification: Week of Dec 1
Tuition Due: Dec 5
Transfer/Drop/Late Registration: Dec 8 – 12
- tuition & fees due with late registration application
Spring
Tues & Thurs Day Class – Start Date: April 28, 2026
Open House: TBA
Registration: Feb 23 – 27
Notification: Week of March 2
Tuition Due: March 6
Transfer/Drop/Late Registration: March 9 – 13
- tuition & fees due with late registration application
Summer
Tues & Thurs Night Class – Start Date: July 14, 2026
Tues & Thurs Day Class – Start Date: Aug 11, 2026
Open House: TBA
Registration: Week of May 18 – 29
Notifications: Week of June 1
Tuition Due: June 5
Transfer/Drop/Late Registration: June 8 – 12
- tuition & fees due with late registration application
Tuition & Fees
2025 – 2026 (Effective for all classes with a class start date of October 1, 2025 and beyond)
- Application Fee: $50.00
- Deposit Fee: $100.00
- L&M Fee: $380.00
- Facility Fee: $45.00
Tuition & Payment Options
The following estimated fees are paid directly to the vendor (not CSRIPS) prior to class beginning. Prices should be verified with the vendor.
- Books: $315.71 (Book information will be provided after registration closes.)
- American Data Bank (Broward Hospital): $183.00. Includes Broward Hospital, Drug Screening and Level 2 Background Check (scheduling fee may apply).
- InUnison (uniform package): $230.00.
Upon successful completion of the program, the following estimated fees are paid directly to the vendor (not CSRIPS) to take the state exam and become licensed.
- Written exam fee (testing center): $104.00
- State licensing fee: $35.00
Class Days & Times
306 Hours
Class Schedules
Day Class
Class is two (2) days per week
-
8:30am – 5:30pm
-
Approximately 14 weeks
Night Class
Class is two (2) nights per week
-
5:30pm – 10:30pm
-
Approximately 24 weeks
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Externships
Clinical Rotations
Field Rotations
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Steps to become a CSRIPS Student
Please review each of the tabs below carefully, as they contain essential information to help you prepare for both the course and the application process. Each step is important, and some may require additional time to complete. Be sure to read all instructions thoroughly to ensure you are fully prepared.
Open House
While attending an Open house is not mandatory, we highly recommend it!
You may attend either the in-person Open House or the virtual option. Each one has it's benefits and you get to select which one is best for you.
Attend Open House
Gather Documents & Complete Prerequisites
BLS
Students must upload, at time of Step 2 application submission:
- a BLS Healthcare Provider Certificate from CSRIPS
Should the student not upload proof of completion, their application will be considered "incomplete" and the student will be withdrawn from the application process.
Cards from other organizations will not be accepted.
Cards are sent out 2-5 business days after class has completed - We do have the ability to view attendance in classes that are close to registration if you have not yet received your card.
Register for BLS
Haven't received your card?
TABE Test
Students applying for the EMT-Basic program must complete the Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE), Level 13 Level A Complete Battery, no more than two (2) years prior to the start date of the course they plan to enroll in.
TABE Information Page
Info Sessions
Information Sessions are required for all students planning to apply during the upcoming registration period.
- Only students who have received a qualifying TABE test score are eligible to attend.
- Sessions will be held virtually.
- A participation link will be emailed a few days prior to the session, only to students who register using the form below.
These sessions will cover important information about the application and registration process, including key deadlines and program expectations.
Attendance at an Information Session is mandatory in order to proceed with the application process.
Register for an Info Session
Transcripts
Official high school transcripts must be submitted to the Admissions Office proving a standard high school diploma, GED, or validated foreign equivalent. (Transcripts are considered official if sent directly to CSRIPS from the previous institution or are delivered in a sealed envelope, sealed by the issuing institution).
Must be received prior to registration.
How to send CSRIPS your Transcripts
Documents
Required
In order for your application to be submitted for review, you must complete all of the required information and upload during the application enrollment period. This is a first come first serve process so in order to increase your chances of being accepted, you are strongly encouraged to have all information ready when you begin your application. Below is everything you will need to have on hand for the application. You will need to have a PDF or JPEG for certain file uploads. Files uploaded in HEIC format cannot be viewed on our system.
- Social Security Number
- Official Transcripts
- Proof of Age; Driver’s License or birth certificate (JPEG or PDF)
- FireTRAQ (formerly FCDICE) Number (instructions listed below)
- Medical Insurance Card
- CSRIPS BLS Healthcare Provider Card
- EMS Physical History & Exam Form
- VA Information (if applicable; JPEG or PDF)
- IEP Information (if applicable; JPEG or PDF)
*Medical information is collected by Broward Health during the Complio registration.
**Applicants are required to complete and submit the Medical History and Physical Examination Form. Be sure to verify that all signatures and required fields are completed before submitting the form. Upload pages 1 through 4 of the completed form into the application. If your submission is accepted, you will then need to follow further instructions to upload page 5 and any related vaccination documentation to your Complio account. Please review the Special Requirements outlined in the Program Catalog and Student Reference Guide. The Physical History & Exam form must be completed within 6 months of the first day of class to be accepted during registration.
Send Transcripts Get your FireTRAQ # EMS Physical Exam & Medical History Form(PDF, 406KB)
Optional
CSRIPS implements a Point-based selection system designed to assist in determining which applicants will be admitted into the EMT-Basic, Paramedic or Firefighter I&II (limited access) Programs. Our goal is to select applicants that will have the best opportunity to successfully complete our Programs and achieve Industry Certification/Employment.
If there are more qualified applicants than seats available in the current class offering, those applicants that are not initially selected will remain on the list as an “alternate” and will only be used to fill the remaining spots in the event one becomes available before the start of the Program. Once the Program starts, the remaining applicants will have to reapply for future class offerings, we do not form “wait-lists” for future class offerings.
Information reviewed for points:
- Highest level of education completed (transcript or diploma required)
- Member in Good Standing of a Fire Explorer Program (letter required)
- Certificate of Completion from a CSRIPS EMT, Paramedic or Firefighter I&II Program (documentation required)
- National/State Certified EMT or Paramedic (national or state license required)
- Honorably Discharged Veteran (DD214 required)
- Legacy and Residence (up to 3 per application):
- City of Coral Springs/Parkland Employee, CSRIPS Intern
(self/spouse/dependent/sibling – documentation required)
- Current First Responder (Non-CSPFD) – Firefighter/Police Officer/ Medical
(self/spouse/dependent/sibling –documentation required)
- CSRIPS EMT, Fire or Paramedic Alumni Dependent/Spouse (documentation required)
- Established Resident of Coral Springs or Parkland (documentation required)
- Recommendation Form from a current Fire Department Chief or Deputy Chief along with a Release of Information Form (provided below)
If an applicant does not have any of the additional documentation listed above, there is still a chance to be accepted into the applied program based on the overall applicant pool of that current registration.
Fire Chief Recommendation Form(PDF, 331KB)
Release of Information Form (required for Fire Chief Recommendation)(PDF, 225KB)
Application Process
Application
The application process is a 2 step process:
- Step 1 – Registration
- Click the registration button to start registration + pay the application fee.
- You will receive an email within 24 hours with instructions for completing Step 2 within your MyCSRIPS student portal. You are required to complete Step 2 within the communicated time frame.
- Step 2 – Application
- Submit Required Application
- Submit Additional Information (If applicable)
The candidate should only complete Step 2 after paying the application fee. (If you are unable to complete Step 1, the course may be full, or registration has closed. Do not contact the office.) Once Step 2 has been completed, the candidate's application is considered complete and will be reviewed for consideration.
Our application is completed entirely online.
Notification
Each term has a notification period. You will be notified about your status during the notification period via email. Please do not call the office asking about your application status.
- Conditionally Accepted
- Complete instructions on acceptance letter
- Pay the Lab & Materials fee on MyCSRIPS invoice
- Accept Student Enrollment Agreement within MyCSRIPS record
- Pay tuition
- Alternate List
- If there are more qualified applicants than seats available in the current class offering, those applications not initially selected will remain on the list as an Alternate and will only be chosen to fill the remaining spots in the event one becomes available before the start of the Program. The Points-based system will be used to determine who receives placement within a class in this situation.
Once the Program starts, the remaining applicants will have to reapply for future class offerings.
- Denied
- Reapply next registration period
Pre-Course Work
After conditional acceptance, before first day of class.
Tasks
What Comes Next?
Once conditionally accepted, students will be given pre-course work to complete before day 1 of their program. Some examples of pre-course work are:
- Purchasing uniform
- Purchasing textbooks
- Completing screening (drug and background) requirements
- Attending mandatory meetings or classes (Externship and Anatomy & Physiology )
- Corresponding with the Lead Instructor
- ETC
These instructions and requirements will not be distributed until notification week, and only to conditionally accepted students. Failure to complete or participate in one or more items by the required deadline may result in dismissal from the program.
Screenings
After registration, students must complete required screenings via Complio. Students who have not completed all Complio requirements prior to the start of class will have their conditional acceptance Offer revoked.
Background Checks
Background checks are a hospital requirement for all clinical rotations and must be completed after conditional acceptance. Should you have any arrests or convictions, please contact the office to discuss your situation.
The hospitals mandate that each student pass the same background check as hospital employees; a Level 2 background check.
- Level 1 generally refers to a state only name based check AND an employment history check.
- Level 2 generally refers to a state and national fingerprint based check and consideration of disqualifying offenses, and applies to those designated by law as holding positions of responsibility or trust. Typically, a Level 2 Background Check covers search of fingerprint-based information, national criminal history records, as well as county criminal records.
Drug Screening
The 10 panel drug screening is also a hospital requirement for all clinical rotations and must be completed after conditional acceptance. Should you have any questions about the drug screening process, please contact the office for more information.
What's Next?