Apr 02, 2026  
2026-2027 Pierce College Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Pierce College Catalog

Emergency Medical Services Certificate of Pre-Paramedic


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Created by Pierce faculty, ​​the certificate of pre-paramedic is designed for the working EMS professional to obtain their Paramedic pre-requisites in order to qualify to apply to the 1-year Paramedic program. It provides you a clear path to complete your certificate by listing a specific set of courses relevant to your program and career. The map is designed with the appropriate number of credits and meets certificate requirements. Courses are organized in a recommended sequence; please schedule accordingly. If a course is unavailable, select the next appropriate course within the sequence. For each course, a purpose statement explains how the content relates to your career field. You will also find action items to complete to assure you progress and graduate on time. 

While this map is a great guide to courses required to complete the Certificate of Pre-Paramedic, you are responsible for fulfilling all certificate requirements

Questions? Your Success Network is ready to help you!


Employment Eligibility Information

A criminal history may inhibit your ability to find employment in your chosen field. In addition, any recent history of drug use, including marijuana, may preclude you from federal employment. If you have any concerns please speak with an advisor.

Program Code: 51.0904


Total Credits: 18 credits


Action Item: Contact Paramedic Advising


Please email paramedic@pierce.ctc.edu for advising or program questions. Submitting an application to the paramedic program or satisfying the requirements of the academic prerequisites or the pre-paramedic certificate does not guarantee admission to the paramedic program. To apply to the program, the prospective student must have one year experience as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in the prehospital setting, and an unencumbered, active National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) or State EMT certification. The candidate will need to provide one letter of recommendation at the time of application from a supervisor or Medical Services Officer (MSO) to include approximate number of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) calls ran. Active-Duty Military with an MOS 68W or equivalent should contact the paramedic program at paramedic@pierce.ctc.edu for prehospital equivalency evaluation.  

Academic prerequisites may be in progress at the time of application provided professional prerequisites are satisfied. All academic prerequisites must be completed prior to program start with a 2.0 or higher.  

Prospective students are required to pass a written exam, psychomotor exam and panel interview with a score of 80% overall. Up to 24 students will be selected annually and invited to join the upcoming paramedic cohort and 6 students will be placed on a waitlist. The waitlist expires annually following the first day of the new cohort.  

1. Writing Skills


Minimum Grade:  2.0 

  • Paramedics are required to write reports for every patient contact and may be involved in writing case studies, presentations, and statements as needed as a regular part of their work. 

2. Medical Math and Terminology


Minimum Grade:  2.0 

3. Math Course Requirement


Minimum Grade:  2.0 

  • Course Purpose: Paramedics require a foundational knowledge of mathematics and the mathematical process to support critical thinking and reasoning skills used in daily interaction with patients. 

Action Item: Meet with Advisor


4. Biology Course Requirement


Choose one:

Minimum Grade: 2.0

Action Item: Apply for Graduation


Way to go! It is time to apply for graduation. Visit the Pierce College Graduation website for details. 

Total Credits: 18 credits


Program Code: 51.0904


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