Interested in being part of Wake County EMS? Here's how.
2026–2027 Hiring Timeline
Applications for our next cohort will open Sept. 21, 2026, and close Nov. 8, 2026, at 7 p.m. This application period will be for EMTs and Paramedics.
- Interviews and testing will be held October–November 2026.
- Interviews will be virtual
- Testing will be in-person at our Emergency Services Education Center in Raleigh
- Those hired from this assessment process will start with Academy 53 in January 2027.
Academy timelines for the rest of 2027 to be announced. Visit this page at a later date for more information.
*You may apply for a position you have not yet received certification for, as long as you state test for that certification prior to the start date of the academy. We will publish academy start dates once confirmed.
Here's a Look at Our Hiring Process
- Online Application
- Physical Ability Test (PAT required but deferred until academy if hired.)
- Assessment Center
- Written Test to your certification level – in-person
- Oral Interview Panel – virtual
- Patient Care Simulation using high-fidelity manikin
- Academy – required for all certifications and experience levels
Timing, Testing and Curricula
Our hiring process typically runs three times per year and begins with the open application period. Paramedic and EMS Technician (EMT) positions are posted on the Wake County Human Resources page. The written exam and simulation are graded based on national standard curricula. Candidates are not required to know Wake County EMS System protocols to successfully complete these assessment stations.
Open application periods generally begin about 6 months before Day 1 of the academy. Applications usually remain open about 10 weeks, but the length of the period may vary. It is important to understand that the hiring process may take up to 3–6 months before those who are hired reach their first paid workday, which is Day 1 of the academy. The length of time it takes depends on when during the open application period you apply.