CONTACT INFORMATION
Gregg TrisketAssistant Director of Workforce Development - Public Safety
814-230-9010gtrisket@rrcnpa.orgEmergency Medical Technician
Description
Thank you for your interest in serving your community as an EMT! Pre-registration for the FISDAP entrance test is now open. Once you’ve completed and passed the test, you’ll be eligible to register for any upcoming EMT program cohort. Please note that pre-registration is not cohort-specific.
This program is delivered in a competency-based, accelerated format and covers topics including patient assessment, cardiac arrest management, airway management, patient immobilization, diabetic emergencies, strokes and seizures, and information about the emergency response system. Students are required to attend all classes and lab sessions throughout the program to demonstrate their competency in numerous psychomotor skills, complete testing requirements, and prepare for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam to be certified.
Details for our next course are currently being finalized. By completing the pre-registration form, you’ll be added to our interest list and will receive updates about the next available course and the Fisdap entrance exam requirement for enrollment.
This registration does not guarantee a seat in the upcoming EMT course.
Key Program Features
- Live Online Instruction – Students attend scheduled online lectures with a live instructor. All lectures are recorded and available as an extra study resource. Students may also request one-on-one office hours for additional support.
- Online Interactive Assignments – In addition to live instructor-led lectures, students complete online assignments and quizzes for each module. These activities reinforce learning, provide immediate feedback, and prepare students for skills practice and exams.
- Regional Lab Sites – Lab sites are opened based on the geographical location of students in each cohort. Current lab sites include Meadville, Corry, Warren, Smethport, St. Mary’s, Brockway, and Wellsboro. NPRC can open or close sites as needed based on student enrollment to maximize accessibility.
- Flexible Scheduling – Classes are delivered in 16-week cycles, with opportunities to accelerate through test-out options once competency is demonstrated. Students schedule lab sessions through the program scheduler to practice skills and, when ready, test for competency.
- Integrated Learning Resources – NPRC utilizes the Jones & Bartlett Navigate Premier Package, which provides an interactive e-book, adaptive learning modules, practice activities, and test preparation tools. Paired with FISDAP, students benefit from validated module exams, a comprehensive final exam, skills tracking, and scheduling tools. Nationally, programs using Jones & Bartlett Navigate with FISDAP consistently demonstrate strong student outcomes and higher pass rates on the NREMT exams compared to programs without these resources.
- Professional Certifications – Students earn CPR certification and are introduced to NAEMT specialty courses such as EMS Safety and Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS).
This structure ensures students meet state and national standards while gaining real-world readiness through live simulations, clinical rotations, and ride-along experiences with regional EMS partners.
Questions & Answers
The Fisdap entrance exam is a required step for all prospective EMT students. While the exam is not currently open, applicants will receive an email with a link and step-by-step instructions as soon as it becomes available.
The exam includes questions on:
Math
Medical terminology
Anatomy & physiology
Biology
To pass, students must score at least 70% in each subject area.
The exam also includes an adapted version of the General Scale of Self-Efficacy, a validated tool that measures how well individuals respond to new or challenging situations.
Once the exam is completed, NPRC staff will contact applicants to let them know whether they passed or will need to re-take it.
For questions about the entrance exam, contact Kate Bosko, Assistant Registrar for Workforce Development, at 814-230-9010 or kbosko@rrcnpa.org.
Clearances are required and are covered by the course fee.
1. PA Act 126 Mandated Reporter Training
2. PA Dept. of Human Services Fingerprint (Volunteer)
3. PA Child Abuse Clearance - School Employee
4. Background Check
The cost of the course is $775. This is required to be paid up front at the time of registration, or payment plan arrangements are able to be made prior to registration.
Included with the cost of the course:
- E-book
- Jones & Bartlett Navigate Premier Package
- Module exams (2 attempts)
- Comprehensive final exam (2 attempts)
- Skills tracker and scheduler
- Embroidered polo shirt
- Student ID card
The program is structured as a 16-week course. Students who demonstrate competency through test-outs may complete requirements sooner.
NPRC delivers EMT courses across our 10-county footprint with regional classroom and lab sites. Current lab sites are located in Meadville, Corry, Warren, Smethport, St. Mary’s, Brockway, and Wellsboro. Sites may be opened or closed depending on student enrollment to ensure accessibility.
No. The EMT program is open to all students who meet the admission requirements. No prior EMS or medical background is required.
Graduates are eligible to take the NREMT exam. Students will also complete CPR certification and may be introduced to NAEMT specialty training.
Students must complete clinical and field experience hours with NPRC’s approved partners. A minimum number of patient contacts is required, ensuring students gain meaningful experience before certification testing.
Absolutely. The EMT program is the foundation for advancing to higher levels of EMS education, and NPRC will soon offer Advanced EMT training as a natural next step.
