Requirements by License Type

• All emergency medical technician licenses in Michigan remain valid for three years. Prior to the expiration of their license, technicians must complete a minimum number of continuing education credits. The number of continuing education course credits a Michigan emergency medical technician must complete during each licensing cycle varies based upon their level of licensure. Medical first responders need a total of 15 credits, while basic emergency medical technicians must complete 30 credits. Individuals with EMT-specialist licenses must take 36 credits, while the paramedic license requires 45 credits.
  
  

CPR Certification

• All four Michigan emergency medical technician licenses require professionals to show proof of current CPR certification. The approved course for Michigan emergency services is the Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider course offered by the American Heart Association. This training course lasts for 4 1/2 hours and includes first aid techniques for choking as well as CPR and automated external defibrillator training. As of 2010, the course was offered at 120 locations throughout Michigan. Emergency medical technicians receive one credit of continuing education for completing the course.
  
  

Other Continuing Education Credits

• The Michigan Department of Community Health requires emergency medical technicians to complete continuing education credits in specific subjects. All licencees must complete one to two credits in preparatory subjects like pharmacology and health care law. Other topics required for continuing education include ventilation, patient assessment, medical care, trauma and pediatrics. A specific number of both classroom-based courses and practical, hands-on courses are also required at each licensing level.
  
  

Alternative to Continuing Education Credits

• An alternative to completing continuing education requirements is for emergency medical technicians to retake an initial certification training course for their level of licensing. Licensees can attend any training course approved by the Michigan Department of Community Health. As of 2010, more than 200 programs in the state carried this approval. Providers include hospitals, community college, fire departments, private career colleges, traditional four-year colleges and universities and paramedic services.