Becoming a flight paramedic is a challenging yet rewarding career path that combines advanced medical expertise with the unique demands of air transport. Flight paramedics, also known as flight medics or helicopter medics, provide critical care to patients during aeromedical evacuations, often in high-stress environments. This role requires extensive training, experience, and certification to ensure the highest level of patient care during transport.
What is a flight paramedic?
A flight paramedic is a licensed paramedic who provides advanced medical care to critically ill or injured patients during air transport, typically via helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. They work alongside flight nurses and pilots to stabilize patients en route to medical facilities, often in emergency or trauma situations. Flight paramedics must possess advanced clinical skills, critical thinking abilities, and the capacity to operate in high-stress environments.
How do I become a flight paramedic?
To become a flight paramedic, one must:
- Obtain Paramedic Certification: Complete an accredited paramedic program and obtain state licensure.
- Gain Experience: Accumulate 3–5 years of experience in a high-volume EMS system, preferably with critical care exposure.
- Advanced Certifications: Acquire certifications such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS).
- Critical Care Training: Complete specialized training programs like the Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport Program (CCEMTP).
- Obtain FP-C Certification: Pass the Flight Paramedic Certification (FP-C) exam administered by the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification (BCCTPC).
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What is a flight paramedic’s salary?
As of 2025, the average annual salary for a flight paramedic in the United States ranges from $70,000 to $130,000, with the national average around $103,000. In Dallas, Texas, the average salary is approximately $61,031 per year.
Where to look for flight paramedic jobs?
Flight paramedic positions can be found through various platforms and organizations:
- Job boards: Websites like EMS1, Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter list current openings.
- Air medical services: Companies such as PHI Air Medical, Air Methods, and Guardian Flight regularly post job opportunities on their career pages.
- Professional networks: Joining professional organizations and attending industry conferences can provide networking opportunities and job leads.
What is the flight paramedic certification test?
The Flight Paramedic Certification (FP-C) exam is a credentialing exam for experienced paramedics seeking to specialize in air medical transport. Administered by the BCCTPC, the exam consists of 110 scored questions and 25 unscored questions, covering topics such as flight physiology, critical care, and CAMTS flight safety standards. Candidates have 2.5 hours to complete the exam.
Preparing to qualify for the flight paramedic exam
To become a flight paramedic, you must first be trained as a ground paramedic. This process will include finishing EMT training (EMT) and passing the NREMT certification exam. While working as a ground paramedic, it is crucial to continue your education by attending training courses and receiving as many certifications as possible. It’s also important to keep all certifications current. The additional requirements for a flight paramedic are:
- TNACT-, CCEMTP, ATLS-audit Certification
- Basic Life Support
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support
In addition to having the necessary certifications, an interested candidate must also meet other basic requirements, such as being over the age of 18, having at least three years of paramedic experience, and passing a criminal background check and drug test. There are also desirable characteristics for flight paramedic candidates like being physically fit, working well in small spaces, and excelling in high-stress trauma and critical care treatment events.
What is the flight paramedic exam like?
After at least three years of experience as a paramedic has been obtained and all of the necessary certification requirements are met, the FP-C exam may be taken.
The exam is administered by the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification (BCCTPC) and takes 2.5 hours to complete with a total of 125 questions spanning many subjects. The BCCTPC has a candidate handbook that provides additional details as well as sample questions.
An example question featured in the handbook is as follows:
For the average-sized adult patient who has suffered severe burns, adequate fluid can be demonstrated by a minimum urine output of:
A. 4-8 mL/kg/hr
B. 30-50 mL/hr
C. 10-20 mL/hr
D. 2-4 mL/kg/hr
The International Association of Flight & Critical Care Paramedics (IAFCCP) also has additional materials to help prepare for the FP-C exam.
Are you a flight medic? Send your tips for a paramedic considering a career as a flight medic to editor@ems1.com.
This article, originally published on November 28, 2016, has been updated with additional resources and information.
