Admission Requirements

  • Prospective students must complete the VCU Health Paramedic Program application for consideration. This includes:
    • Three references (OMD, supervisor, paramedic colleague). The references will be contacted to give feedback on your ability to take the paramedic course.
    • Personal statement
    • Resume or CV
    • Professional-style headshot
    • Unofficial transcript of last degree/diploma obtained
  • Take the FISDAP Paramedic Entrance Exam
  • Certified as a Virginia Department of Health EMT.  The student must maintain that certification throughout the program.
  • Hold a valid American Heart Association BLS Provider certification. This must be maintained for the duration of the program.
  • Be at least 18 years of age at the beginning of the course.

Advanced Standing/Experimental Credit

Students may request a review of their records for experiential credit if they have:

  1. Completed coursework at other nationally accredited paramedic programs
  2. Comparable military training
  3. Successfully completed a nursing program and are currently licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Experiential credit is awarded on a case by case basis within the guidelines approved by the Paramedic Advisory Committee, Program Director and Program Medical Director.

RN to Paramedic

Registered Nurses who wish to apply for advanced standing in the paramedic program must be certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in Virginia. For more information, visit the Virginia Office of EMS page on challenging the EMT certification exam.