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Executive Summary

Florida EMS Training Program Performance: 2025 Report on NREMT Outcomes

Why It Matters

Florida’s EMS system depends on a pipeline of well-prepared EMTs and Paramedics. NREMT
first-attempt pass rates are used as a national benchmark. Florida has long trailed national
averages, especially for paramedics, raising concerns about workforce readiness and public
safety.

Key Findings

EMT Programs (58 programs, 4,773 candidates in the 2024 cohort)

  • 69.2% statewide pass rate (3,305 passed).
  • Region 2 highest at 80.8%; Region 6 lowest at 63.9%.
  • Slightly above the 3-year national average (67%) but below the 2024 national rate
    (77.0%).

Paramedic Programs (44 programs, 1,827 candidates in the 2024 cohort)

  • 59.9% statewide pass rate (1,094 passed).
  • Region 2 highest at 86.7%; Regions 3 & 7 lowest at ~53%.
  • Nearly 18 percentage points below the national 2024 average (77.9%).
  • No program structural features (e.g., hours, rotations, director credentials) predicted
    outcomes.

Accreditation

  • CAAHEP-accredited programs: 63.8% pass rate.
  • Non-accredited: 49.6% pass rate.
  • Accreditation is the only consistent predictor of higher outcomes.

Weighted Averages

  • More accurate measure than simple averages.
  • Adjusts for program size, preventing small outliers from skewing statewide results.
  • 2024 weighted averages: EMT 77.4%, Paramedic 77.9% - closer to national
    performance benchmark.

Implications for Florida EMS

  • Paramedic outcomes are the critical gap: Statewide performance trails national
    levels by nearly 20%.
  • Accreditation matters: Strong association with higher pass rates; should be a focus
    for policy and regulatory strategies.
  • Structural measures are weak predictors: Program features such as hours,
    hospital/agency rotations, or medical director credentials did not explain outcome
    differences.
  • Instructional quality and support likely matter more: Faculty preparation,
    curriculum design, and student readiness may drive success. These factors should be
    measured.

Strategic Priorities

  1. Support underperforming Paramedic programs, especially in Regions 3 and 7.
  2. Expand accreditation and strengthen requirements or incentives for CAAHEP
    accreditation.
  3. Shift focus from structure to quality to invest in instructional improvement,
    simulation, and student support.
  4. Consider using weighted averages in reporting for statewide performance tracking.

Bottom Line: Florida’s EMT training is improving but still trails national benchmarks, while
paramedic performance remains a critical weakness. Accreditation and instructional quality,
not structural program features, are the levers most likely to improve outcomes and
strengthen Florida’s EMS workforce pipeline.

Publication Date

4-1-2026

Training the Lifeline: Florida EMS NREMT Performance Review 2024

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