DURHAM, N.C. 鈥� Durham Technical Community College has become the first Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) education program in the U.S. to earn voluntary accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the nationally recognized accreditor for AEMT and paramedic education.
In addition, Durham Tech鈥檚 Paramedic Program also received accreditation, marking dual accreditation for the College鈥檚 EMS pathway, the college said in a .
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鈥淲e are thrilled to be the first accredited AEMT education program in the nation,鈥� Director Steven Wilson said. 鈥淥ur goal is to ensure our AEMT students can efficiently and effectively provide emergency medical care at the advanced life support level. The accreditation process provides a valuable framework to do just that, and we are proud to be a part of the statewide effort in North Carolina to ensure all programs meet national standards for high-quality AEMT education.鈥�
The milestone comes as more programs move toward accreditation nationwide. In 2025, 12 additional AEMT programs across six states, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, received a Letter of Review (LoR) from the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP), indicating they are in the process of seeking CAAHEP accreditation.
鈥淒urham Tech is the first of what we hope will be many AEMT education programs in the state to receive accreditation,鈥� Education Manager at the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services Todd Messer said. 鈥淚n moving to require accreditation at the AEMT level, we are ensuring graduates in our state are well prepared for the demands of today鈥檚 workforce, and tomorrow鈥檚. Looking ahead, we know accreditation will strengthen our EMS workforce and ultimately enhance patient care statewide.鈥�
The 12 AEMT education programs holding an LoR include:
- Eastern Arizona College (Thatcher, AZ)
- Fayette County Fire & Emergency Services (Jonesboro, GA)
- Brunswick Community College (Bolivia, NC)
- Edgecombe Community College-Rocky Mount (Rocky Mount, NC)
- Forsyth Technical Community College-Northwest Forsyth Center (King, NC)
- James Sprunt Community College (Kenansville, NC)
- South Piedmont Community College-Old Charlotte Highway Campus (Monroe, NC) First AEMT Program in the Nation Receives Accreditation (January 2026)
- Surry Community College-Yadkin Center (Yadkinville, NC)
- Wilson Community College (Wilson, NC)
- Midlands Technical College-Airport Campus (West Columbia, SC)
- Paul D. Camp Community College-Hobbs Suffolk Campus (Suffolk, VA)
- Providence St. Luke鈥檚 Rehabilitation Medical Center (Spokane, WA)
Visit the CoAEMSP for more information on voluntary AEMT accreditation.
