How to Become an EMT in Louisiana (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Louisiana employs about 2,450 EMTs earning a median $35,870 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an EMT here means completing a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months), the NREMT exam, and state or local EMT certification, then applying through Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - State Board of Electrolysis Examiners.

Louisiana employs approximately 2,450 EMTs according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $35,870 1. Nationally, emt employment is projected to grow 5.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an EMT in Louisiana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become an EMT in Louisiana

How to become an EMT in Louisiana? Complete a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months), the NREMT exam, and state or local EMT certification. Apply through Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - State Board of Electrolysis Examiners. See the NREMT 3 for the national exam.

How long does it take? Most people finish a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months), the NREMT exam, and state or local EMT certification. Confirm current hour totals with the training program and Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - State Board of Electrolysis Examiners.

Do I need a license in Louisiana? Yes. Louisiana certifies EMTs through Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - State Board of Electrolysis Examiners 4. You also pass the NREMT exam in most states. See the licensing section below.

What do EMTs earn in Louisiana? The median annual wage for EMTs in Louisiana is $35,870 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $27,390 and experienced professionals can earn $46,460 or more 1.

How to Become an EMT in Louisiana

  1. Meet basic requirements. Most Louisiana EMT courses require you to be 18 (some allow 16 or 17 to train), hold a high school diploma or GED, and hold current CPR or BLS. Confirm the current age and health-screening rules with the training program.
  2. Complete a state-approved EMT course. Finish a state-approved EMT course in Louisiana. Courses are usually a few months at a community college, fire academy, or EMS training program, with classroom hours plus skills labs and clinical time. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Pass the NREMT exam. Pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians EMT exam. Most states use NREMT as the cognitive test; some still require a psychomotor exam. See the NREMT 3.
  4. Get your Louisiana EMT certification. Apply through Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - State Board of Electrolysis Examiners. Some states also issue a local EMS agency card on top of the state credential. You cannot practice as an EMT until that certification is current.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

EMT License Requirements in Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - State Board of Electrolysis Examiners oversees EMS certification in Louisiana 4. Most candidates also take the NREMT exam 3.

Typical EMT path

  1. Meet age, diploma or GED, and CPR requirements.
  2. Complete a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months).
  3. Pass the NREMT EMT exam.
  4. Apply for Louisiana EMT certification (and a local EMS agency card if the state uses one).

EMT is the entry credential. Advanced EMT and paramedic are later rungs on the same ladder, not the first license to chase.

Hour totals, background checks, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Louisiana EMS office before you enroll.

EMT Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana

Emergency Medical Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), emergency medical technicians wages in Louisiana vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Baton Rouge430$36,050$40,150$28,260$62,550
New Orleans-Metairie420$35,180$35,970$27,710$49,110
Shreveport-Bossier City230$31,610$34,230$25,300$45,030
Monroe120$34,230$34,270$27,360$44,200
Alexandria100$35,680$35,240$24,560$44,880
Lake Charles80$36,260$36,650$26,800$46,220
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux70$36,290$36,720$25,670$45,310
Slidell-Mandeville-Covington70$37,680$35,860$26,830$47,410

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for EMTs in Louisiana? Louisiana currently employs approximately 2,450 EMTs 1. Nationally, emt employment is projected to grow 5.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as an emt in Louisiana with an out-of-state license? Reciprocity varies. Contact the Louisiana licensing authority for details on transferring credentials.

What training programs are available in Louisiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Louisiana.

How much do EMTs earn in Louisiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for EMTs in Louisiana is $35,870, which is $5,470 below the national median of $41,340 according to BLS data 1.

In Louisiana

Related trades & nearby areas

Explore More Trades in Louisiana

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. NREMT - National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians: https://www.nremt.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - State Board of Electrolysis Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www.lpcboard.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)