Honolulu Emergency Services Department

Education and Training

In Hawaiʻi, Emergency Medical Services personnel are either:

• An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), trained in basic life support; or
• A Mobile Intensive Care Technician (MICT) or Paramedic, trained in basic and advanced life support and invasive medical techniques.

Step One: Become an EMT

Kapiʻolani Community College (KCC) offers 400 hours of training during a one-semester course to prepare eligible students for the licensure examination. Students who pass the exam, based on certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, receive EMT Licensure from the State Board of Medical Examiners.

The EMT Academy is a work/study training program, where employees will attend school full-time in the Kapiʻolani Community College EMT program, while receiving full-time pay and benefits while employed with Honolulu Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Honolulu EMS will also pay for tuition costs and fees for each employee enrolled in the KCC EMT program. The goal is completion of all requirements for licensure as an Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B) with the State of Hawaiʻi. When employees are not attending classes at KCC, they will participate in weekly supplemental training in our EMS division. Successful completion of the program and licensure in the State of Hawaiʻi will result in continued employment as an Emergency Medical Technician II. Applications will open annually in August, with the Academy beginning the following July.

Step Two: Gain Experience as an EMT

Internship and contract opportunities are available with the City and County of Honolulu EMS division.

Step Three: Get Licensed as a MICT

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) who have worked at least one year and responded to a minimum of 100 emergency calls as Team Lead are eligible to apply for the Mobile Intensive Care Technicians (MICT) training program at KCC. The program provides 1,250 hours of training over a period of 12 months to prepare students for the licensure exam. Students who pass the exam, based on certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, receive EMT-P Licensure from the State Board of Medical Examiners.

EMTs who have worked for the City and County of Honolulu EMS for at least one year are eligible to apply for the Mobile Emergency Care Specialist Training Program - a work study program that supports students by assisting with school expenses.

Step Four: Continuing Medical Education

To maintain their licenses, MICTs must attend at least 60 hours of retraining and continuing medical education courses every two years. These classes are readily available through KCC and the City and County of Honolulu pays associated fees.

To learn more about the EMT and MICT programs, call (808) 734-9288 or visit Kapiʻolani Community College's EMT and MICT web pages.

Employment with the City and County

The City and County of Honolulu EMS provides employment opportunities at both the EMT and MICT levels.EMTs are eligible for limited term and contract positions and MICTs can apply for permanent positions with the City and County of Honolulu EMS as a Mobile Emergency Care Specialist I (MECS I).  Please contact EMS Personnel at (808) 723-7816 for contract position applications.  To apply for a limited term EMT position or a permanent MECS I position, please visit the City and County of Honolulu Department of Human Resources site during the recruitment period.  If the positions are not currently open for recruitment, submit a Job Interest Card to be notified when the next recruitment period opens.  If selected, candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment physical examination administered by the City.