Enrollment for the January 2027 Class will open on Wednesday, November 4 at 8 AM. Please email David Retano at dretano@schertz.com with any questions.

The Schertz EMS Training Academy was established in March 2007 by Program Director, Sidney "Bud" Hirshberg, as a part of the City of Schertz Emergency Medical Services. The Academy offers initial pre-hospital emergency medical training to our partnering organizations and is available to anyone interested in beginning a career serving our community.

The Academy is a 16-week course that consists of 176 hours of classroom lectures and skills training. Classroom training is complemented with an internship including 40 hours of practical experience aboard our ambulances. 

The program is rigorous and fast-paced. Successful completion of the course qualifies graduates to sit for the National Registry certification examination. All practicing EMS providers in the state of Texas must initially be certified by the National Registry.

We are very proud of our program and have a success rate among the highest in Texas.  

The pass rate for 2025 was 94%.


What is required to attend the academy?

If you are interested in becoming an EMT, there are a few requirements that you must fulfill prior to starting the training program.

  • 18 years of age by graduation
  • High School diploma or GED
  • Valid driver's license
  • Certain current immunization:   Measles, Mumps Rubella (MMR),   Hepatitis B, Tetanus (TB/PPD or Tdap)


What skills will I learn?

The EMT is an entry-level position in the emergency medical services field providing basic emergency medical care and transportation to patients who access the EMS system. Medics use these skills to make a difference every day.

  • Opening the airway and providing artificial ventilation
  • Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
  • Delivery of semi-automated defibrillation
  • Controlling severe bleeding
  • Treating for shock
  • Dressing and bandaging wounds
  • Splinting injured extremities
  • Delivery and care of Infants
  • Emergency vehicle operations
  • Communications and medical record keeping


When is The next EMT Basic Course?

  • The next course starts January 5, 2027.
  • Enrollment for the January 2027 course will open on Wednesday, November 4 at 8 a.m.
  • A deposit of $650.00 is due when you apply.
  • The remaining $650.00 is due by the first night of class.


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Registration will open promptly at 8:00 a.m. Due to the popularity of the EMT course and limited enrollment, interested applicants are encouraged to register as soon as registration opens. Once the maximum number of registrations has been reached, the registration link will automatically close, and no additional submissions will be accepted.

For questions regarding the registration process, please contact David Retano at dretano@schertz.com or (210) 619-1425.

You will be contacted the same day (via email), to let you know if you made the first 30 applicants, or on the waiting list.

Students wishing to drop the course are entitled to receive a refund of a portion of the tuition.

  • If a student drops before the first night of class, you will be entitled to a full refund (deposit or the full tuition that was paid).  
  • After the first night of class there is no refund.

After paying the deposit, the remaining balance ($650) will need to be paid by the beginning of the first night of class.

Cash, personal check, money order, debit cards, or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover). Payments can also be accepted online through your personalized link sent via email.

  • Students wishing to drop the course are entitled to receive a refund of a portion of the tuition.
    1. If a student drops before the first night of class, you will be entitled to a full refund (deposit or the full tuition that was paid).  
    2. After the first night of class there is no refund.

After your application has been accepted begin to gather your shot record (measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), hepatitis B, tetanus (TB/PPD), along with a criminal history check.  Complete the fingerprinting process, for the background check, at the scheduled location. Both shot records and a cleared background check will need to be turned in before beginning clinical rotations.

Log into "Identogo.com." Type in the Service Code 11FT12. Fill out the information and find the location that best applies to your schedule and location.

Yes, besides attending the regular scheduled classes, you will need to ride on the ambulance for 40 hours and spend 24 hours in the hospital emergency department. More will be explained during the first class.

  • Pen and paper.
  • Dress for the first night is business casual. A uniform will be required for all other classes and will be explained during the first class.
  • Books and other required class materials will be given out the first night of class.
  • The class
  • The textbook (with online access to the LMS)
  • Class ID
  • One class uniform shirt
  • CPR textbook and electronic certification card
  • Student Policy Manual
  • One BLS Pocket Field Guide
  • You will need to buy black or dark blue uniform pants ($35.00 to $50.00), black closed-toe shoes or boots (if you do not have them), black belt. 
  •  An additional class shirt ($25.00) if you would like more than one shirt.
  • Testing fees: PearsonVue Testing Center / National Registry Certification fee (at the end of class) - $80.00 total.
  • Licensing Fee: Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Certification fee (at the end of class unless you are strictly a volunteer for a TDSHS-licensed first responded or EMS agency) - $64.00.
  • Criminal history check for EMT course (eligible for clinical rotations) - $25.00 plus tax.
  • Criminal history check after NREMT Exam has been passed and TDSHS application has been completed (service code 11BSBH) - $37.00.
  • Prior to enrolling in the EMT course, go to the Texas Department of State Health Services website. Fill out the "EMS Criminal History Pre-screening" and follow all directions to determine if you are eligible for the course.
  • If you enroll in an EMT course knowing that your criminal history exempts you from taking an EMT course, you will get a refund based on the refund policy.