The required basic skills grade levels are Reading-10, Math-10, and Language-10 and must be met prior to program completion or a Florida High School Graduate after 2007.
Applicants must also have:
- A completed Health Science Application
- A high school diploma or GED
- FL EMT Certification prior to paramedic clinical
- Turn 18 years of age by completion of program
- Completed Anatomy and Physiology (offered online) prior to clinical
- A physical exam
- A current CPR card
- Taken the TABE
Suncoast Technical College conducts a background check on applicants for all Health Science/EMS programs in accordance with the requirements set by affiliation agreements, licensing agencies, and state statutes. Restrictions on admission to programs include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Chemically Impaired―requires one full year of documented stability prior to admission.
2. Emotional/Mental Illness―requires one full year of documented stability prior to admission.
3. Arrests―Applicants who have been convicted of, or who have pleaded nolo contendere, for arson, assault, robbery, armed burglary, kidnapping, attempted murder, murder, manslaughter, repeated drug or alcohol offenses, or who have repeated misdemeanor offenses will be denied admission to Health Science/EMS programs. Applicants who have been arrested and convicted of or who have plead nolo contendere to offenses other than those stated above will be denied admission for one full year after the completion of all court ordered requirements. Applicants must be prepared to present documentation of satisfaction of all court mandates and document one year of satisfactory work history after completion of court ordered requirements. Regulatory agencies and local employers may have more stringent requirements for employment or for attendance for clinical rotations.
4. Health Risks―Determining that an applicant’s career choice will not be a detriment to his/her own health (or the safety of patients/clients), applicants may be required to provide documentation that is above and beyond medications and physical conditions identified on their physical exam questionnaire and exam report. All programs require documentation of the absence of lifting restrictions. All programs require documentation of the absence of lifting restrictions.
PLEASE NOTE: Individual information sessions are available to answer any questions about the application process. Contact Student Services at 941-924-1365 / Ext. 62283 to make an appointment.
All applications must be submitted by the application deadline in order to be considered for the program of choice. Applicants are only eligible for selection into a program if all required elements are complete and on file. No application will be considered for selection if elements are missing or incomplete. Call (941) 924-1365 / Ext. 62283 for current program application deadlines.
