EMS Careers and Scholarships

EMS Career Path Infographic

Start a career in EMS in only 4 months. Education and certification requirements.

EMS Education

Complete an EMS education program or online training. Use the rosters below to search for DSHS (and nationally) approved programs and courses.

• EMS Course Hours – See course hour requirements
• Excel File: EMS Education Providers
• Excel File: EMS Initial Education Courses
• Excel File: EMS Online Training Courses

EMS Exam

Once your education is complete, pass the National Registry Exam for that level of EMS certification.

• EMS Exam Information – Details and exam requirements
• EMS National Registry Exam – Schedule your exam

 Find Scholarships

Texas Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) manage EMS and trauma services across the state.

Contact your RAC to apply for a Texas SB8 EMS Scholarship. Use scholarship funds to help cover your education costs. Contact the RAC by their service area.

Step 1.  Use this map to CONTACT YOUR REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (RAC).

Step 2. Click on an area of interest to see contact info for the servicing RAC.

Step 3. Call or email the RAC. Ask about EMS scholarships, jobs and volunteer openings.

Texas Senate Bill 8 (SB8) EMS Scholarships

Texas SB8 EMS Scholarships were created when the Texas Legislature set aside funds to educate and train EMS personnel. Texas Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) are tasked with distributing these limited scholarship funds. FAQs on Texas SB8 EMS Scholarships.

Scholarship levels:

• $2,000.00 per student that completes an Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) class including books, materials and one NREMT exam fee.
• $3,200.00 per student that completes an Advanced EMS (AEMT) class including books, materials and one NREMT exam fee.
• $8,000.00 per student that completes a Paramedic class including books, materials and one NREMT exam fee.

Students must commit to serving:

• For the $2,000.00 scholarship – One year as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• For the $3,200.00 – Two years as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)
• For the $8,000.00 scholarship – Two years as a Paramedic if upgrading your certification
• For all scholarships – Within 90 days of completing a DSHS approved EMS course, students must:
  • Pass the National Registry examination
  • Complete the state certification process
  • Begin working or volunteering for a DSHS licensed EMS Provider

To learn more, view FAQs on Texas SB8 EMS Scholarships.

To apply, contact state RACs for available Texas SB8 EMS Scholarships.

Scholarships are provided by the Department of State Health Services to Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) for distribution to licensed EMS providers or licensed EMS Education programs. Scholarships are available based on documented need, with special attention given to rural and underserved areas within Texas.

Related Resources

View Playbook
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Workforce Recruitment and Retention Playbook

Special Edition
Texas EMS Trauma News - Senate Bill 8

In Texas, there are almost 800 EMS agencies, staffing over 72,000 responding professionals, on over 5,000 ambulances.

EMS Certification

Follow the steps in the links below to obtain your certification in Texas.

• EMS Certification Process – Complete details about licensure in Texas
• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians – National EMS Certification
• EMS Continuing Education – Courses to renew current EMS certification
• EMS Reciprocity – For out of state applicants and military personnel

EMS Jobs

Emergency Medical Services in Texas are supported by both paid and volunteer personnel. Find available EMS jobs and volunteer opportunities. Use the Texas Workforce Commission website or contact EMS providers in your area.

• WorkInTexas.com – Workforce Commission job search
  • Type your level of licensure into the keyword field (EMT, AEMT, Paramedic)
• EMS Providers (Excel File) – DSHS Licensed EMS Providers in Texas

In EMS, you can work full-time, part-time, or volunteer to support your community’s emergency health care needs. It's a career in high demand where you can grow your knowledge and expand your personal worth in a fast-paced setting.

Top Reasons People Work in EMS:

1. Great way to serve people and your community.
2. Camaraderie and sense of family within the EMS system.
3. Competitive salaries and benefits.
4. Provides the necessary experience to advance into other careers.     

EMS Career Advantages:

1. Become certified and start work in as little as 4 months.
2. Stable job security because there is always a need in our communities.
3. Advancement from an EMT to a Licensed Paramedic.
4. Average EMS salary in Texas is $60,000 annually, and continues to increase.

Hear first-hand from Texas EMS personnel. Explore their careers, how they got started, and what it’s like in EMS.

Adam, Licensed Flight Paramedic
Adam describes working as a flight paramedic and ways to get involved to start an EMS career.