EMT Training and Certification Illinois

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Steps to become an EMT or Paramedic in Illinois

A career as an emergency medical technician or Paramedic (EMT) in Illinois will be one that is incredibly rewarding.

As an EMT in Illinois you will provide critical offsite care to patients. Your skills and intervention could mean the difference between life and death for many of those you treat.

To become an EMT in Illinois you will need to complete a state approved training program and obtain EMT Certification. Below we provide information on approved EMT training in Illinois, certification requirements, and careers data.

Best EMT and Paramedic Schools Illinois for 2023

Listed below are the top 38 CAAHEP accredited schools for EMT training in Illinois in 2023.

SchoolCityLearn More
Northwest Community Healthcare Arlington HeightsProgram Page
Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Program Page
Kaskaskia CollegeCentraliaProgram Page
Parkland College ChampaignProgram Page
Malcolm X CollegeChicagoProgram Page
McHenry County College Crystal LakeProgram Page
Kishwaukee CollegeDeKalbProgram Page
Advocate Good Samaritan HospitalDowners GroveProgram Page
Illinois Central CollegeEast PeoriaProgram Page
Advocate Sherman HospitalElginProgram Page
Presence Saint Joseph Hospital ElginProgram Page
Presence Saint Francis Hospital EvanstonProgram Page
Carl Sandburg CollegeGalesburgProgram Page
Waubonsee Community College Geneva Program Page
Lewis & Clark Community CollegeGodfreyProgram Page
Ingalls Memorial HospitalHarveyProgram Page
Northshore University Health System Highland ParkProgram Page
Presence St. Mary's Hospital KankakeeProgram Page
Riverside Medical Center KankakeeProgram Page
Advocate Condell Medical CenterLibertyvilleProgram Page
Lake Land CollegeMattoonProgram Page
Loyola University Medical CenterMaywoodProgram Page
Black Hawk CollegeMolineProgram Page
Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers MorrisProgram Page
Rend Lake College Mount VernonProgram Page
Edward HospitalNapervilleProgram Page
Silver Cross Hospital New Lenox Program Page
Carle Bromenn - OSF St Joseph - McLean County ConsortiumNormalProgram Page
Advocate Christ Medical CenterOak LawnProgram Page
Illinois Valley Community CollegeOglesbyProgram Page
Advocate Lutheran General HospitalPark RidgeProgram Page
Creighton University-Advanced Medical Transport of Central Illinois Paramedic ConsortiumPeoriaProgram Page
Blessing HospitalQuincyProgram Page
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center RockfordProgram Page
Rockford Health System-Rock River Region EMS System Rockford Program Page
Swedish American Hospital Rockford Program Page
Vista Health System Waukegan Program Page
Northwestern Medicine at Central DuPage Hospital WinfieldProgram Page

EMT-Basic training is the first step towards a rewarding career and usually take less that 12 months to complete. Advanced training or a Paramedics degree in Illinois will take up to 2 years.

Due to the hands on nature of EMT training a lot of the classes will take place in a classroom setting.

Most EMT schools will have the following criteria for admissions;

  • A high school diploma, or equivalent,
  • Have a clean criminal background,
  • Pass a drug test
  • Be CPR certified
  • Pass a fitness and medical test

For more information on choosing an EMT program near you click here.

Related programs:

EMT Certification Illinois

Certification provides assurances to the competency of an EMT professional.

EMT certification in Illinois is essential and is obtained by successfully completing the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (National Registry) certification exams.

Certification applicants must meet the following criteria;

  • Successful completion of a Illinois state approved EMT training program within the previous 2 years.
  • Have up to date CPR credentials.
  • Successful completion of the National Registry cognitive exams and state psychomotor exams.

Illinois EMT License Requirements

Once you have graduated from an approved training program and obtained your EMT certification you will need to apply to the Illinois Division of EMS and Highway Safety for your license before you can begin work as an EMT or Paramedic in Illinois.

Illinois is not a member of the EMS Compact – an agreement in place between 21 states to allow for the free movement of EMS personnel between member states in the performance of their professional duties and to recognize the license of an EMT or Paramedic licensed in another Compact state.

The Illinois Division of EMS and Highway Safety deals with all queries relating to certification and licensing in Illinois. You can contact them on the details below;

Phone: 217-785-2080
Website: dph.illinois.gov


EMT Salary Illinois

Salary$43,310
Hourly Wage$20.82
Bottom 10% of Earners$21,580
Top 10% of Earners$88,740
Employed11,420

The average EMT salary in Illinois is $43,310 – according to Bureau of Labor Statistics study, May 2019. This is 11.5% above the national average salary for EMT’s and Paramedics in the USA.

EMT’s in Illinois earn an average income of $20.82 per hour.

Salary Range

  • The top 10% of earners in the state had an average annual income of $88,740
  • The lower 10% and entry level EMT’s in Illinois earned an average of $21,580 per annum
  • EMT’s working in Chicago earned the highest average salaries in the state at $49,070
  • EMT’s working in Springfield have the lowest average salary level of $31,330.
Metro AreaEmploymentSalaryBottom 10%Top 10%
Bloomington120$38,140$19,330$60,770
Carbondale-Marion110$31,690$19,310$48,020
Champaign-Urbana110$31,920$21,930$45,160
Kankakee120$36,670$26,680$50,070
Peoria590$33,500$22,630$53,480
Rockford330$34,600$22,580$48,910
Springfield110$31,330$21,950$37,770
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin7,940$49,070$24,410$103,080

EMT Employment in Illinois

There are currently 11,420 people employed as EMT’s and Paramedics in Illinois. The highest number of EMT and Paramedic jobs in Illinois are in Chicago.

The Bureau for Labor Statistics predicts that employment in the sector will grow nationally by 6% over the 10 year period between 2019 and 2029 – this is faster than the average for all occupations.

The table below provides a comparison between salary and employment for EMTs and Paramedics compared to similar career options in Illinois.

Related CareerSalaryEmployment
EMT / Paramedic$43,31011,420
Medical Assistant$36,50022,940
Surgical Technician$49,0303,770
Nursing Assistant$29,76060,370
Physician Assistant$105,5202,920

Getting started as an EMT in Illinois

  • Obtain basic skills such as CPR qualifications – click here
  • Use the search box below to find a school or training program in your area and begin by reaching out to request information on admissions, tuition, course structure, etc