Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

Emergency Medical Services

Apply to Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

To join this program, you must apply for admission. This is a certificate that takes less than one year to complete. This program is for those who want to prepare to take the Oregon and NREMT exams. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, based on fully completing the application process. For best consideration, all minimum application requirements need to be complete two weeks prior to the start of your intended term. Class capacity varies by term.

Questions? For detailed admission and application information, please review the EMT advising guide. You may also contact ems@pcc.edu for Emergency Medical Services admissions information, or Michelle Butler for Emergency Services academic advising.

How to apply

  1. Apply to PCC

    Applying to PCC is free and only takes a few minutes. Complete this step as soon as possible so you can start using PCC resources.
    Apply to PCC angle right

  2. Meet with the EMS advisor

    Make an appointment with the EMS Advisor Michelle Butler to schedule prerequisite courses and plan for application.

  3. Take prerequisites

    You must meet the standard PCC perquisites in Reading, Writing, and Math. Follow the steps for new students to complete your college placement.

    • High school diploma or equivalent
    • WR 115: Intro to College Composition (or placement into higher)
    • RD 90: Reading (or placement into higher)
    • MTH 20: Fundamentals of Math (or placement into higher)
  4. Submit application

    Complete the EMT application.

  5. Create CastleBranch account

    We use a service called CastleBranch to verify your information. Make sure your immunizations are current (see required immunizations) then create your CastleBranch account:

    1. Create a CastleBranch.com
    2. Click “Place Order”
    3. Enter set up package code: PO93im
    4. Upload your immunization documents
    5. Pay immunization fee (est.): $20
    6. Upload your American Heart Association healthcare providers or Basic Life Support (BLS) card
  6. Order background check

    You must successfully pass the background check and it must be less than 3 months old when you begin the program.

    1. Log in to CastleBranch.com
    2. Click “Place Order”
    3. Enter background check package code: PO93bg
    4. Pay background check fee (est.): $51
  7. Order drug test

    You must successfully pass the drug test.

    1. Log in to CastleBranch.com
    2. Click “Place Order”
    3. Enter drug test package code: PO93dt
    4. Pay drug test fee (est.): $27

After you apply

After submitting your online application and completing all CastleBranch requirements, you will be contacted (via email) of program admissions status and given permission to register if there are seats available. After you receive permission to register, it is your responsibility to register for the appropriate courses. If you do not attend the first class session, you will be dropped from the class.