Education · 1 of 4

The path

Short, focused, and competitive to enter.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Grade 12 with biology and chemistry. Most programs require a standard first aid and CPR certificate to apply.

2. 2

   Primary care paramedic (PCP) diploma

   2 years

   Two years at a college. Classroom, simulation, hospital placements and ambulance ride-outs. Admission is competitive, with fitness and lifting tests.

3. 3

   Provincial certification exam

   After graduation

   Ontario's A-EMCA (Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant) exam, or the COPR (Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators) exam in most other provinces.

4. 4

   Register and get hired

   Months

   Register with your provincial regulator (where one exists) and apply to services. Each service runs its own testing.