Compare Wilderness Medicine courses

From a weekend first aid class to a 200-hour EMT certification, compare every NOLS Wilderness Medicine course side by side before you enroll.

Choose your course

Course comparison chart

NOLS Wilderness Medicine offers training at every level, from a weekend first aid clinic to a 200-hour EMT certification. Use the chart below to compare prerequisites, course length, certifications earned, college credit, and continuing education across all nine courses, grouped into initial trainings, recertifications, and upgrades for licensed medical professionals.

Course Prerequisites Hours Textbook Certifications Received College Credit Continuing Ed Credits* FAWM Credits** To Recertify Take
Initial Training Courses
WFAWilderness First Aid 16 Years Old*** 16–20
  • Wilderness First Aid Pocket Guide
  • Wilderness First Aid Handouts
  • WFA
  • NOLS Wilderness Medicine Adult, Child & Infant CPR (if applicable)
  • Epinephrine Autoinjector
 1 Hour — —
  • WFA
WAFAWilderness Advanced First Aid 16 Years Old*** 40
  • NOLS Wilderness Medicine
  • WAFA Handouts
  • WAFA
  • NOLS Wilderness Medicine Adult, Child & Infant CPR
  • Epinephrine Autoinjector
 2 Hours 32 Hours CAPCE —
  • WFR-R
  • Hybrid WFR-R
  • WAFA
  • WFA
WFRWilderness First Responder 16 Years Old*** 80
  • NOLS Wilderness Medicine
  • Wilderness Medicine Handbook
  • WFR
  • NOLS Wilderness Medicine Adult, Child & Infant CPR
  • Upgrades an EMT to a WEMT
  • Epinephrine Autoinjector
 3 Hours 70 Hours CAPCE Varies**
  • WFR-R
  • Hybrid WFR-R
  • WAFA
  • WUMP
  • WFA
HWFRHybrid Wilderness First Responder 16 Years Old*** 30–40 online + 48 in person
  • NOLS Wilderness Medicine
  • Wilderness Medicine Handbook
  • WFR
  • NOLS Wilderness Medicine Adult, Child & Infant CPR
  • Upgrades an EMT to a WEMT
  • Epinephrine Autoinjector
 3 Hours 62 Hours CAPCE Varies**
  • WFR-R
  • Hybrid WFR-R
  • WAFA
  • WUMP
  • WFA
WEMTWilderness EMT 200
  • Emergency Care, 14th ed.
  • NOLS Wilderness Medicine
  • Wilderness Medicine Handbook
  • WEMT
  • NREMT-EMT
  • Epinephrine Autoinjector
 9 Hours — Varies**
  • WFR-R
  • Hybrid WFR-R
  • WAFA
  • WUMP
  • WFA
  • NREMT Recertification (nremt.org)
WEMT (EMT + WUMP)Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician
  • 18 Years Old
  • Professional Level CPR
  • TB Test
 200
  • Emergency Care, 14th ed.
  • NOLS Wilderness Medicine
  • Wilderness Medicine Handbook
  • WEMT
  • NREMT-EMT
  • Epinephrine Autoinjector
 4 Hours — —
  • WFR-R
  • Hybrid WFR-R
  • WAFA
  • WUMP
  • WFA
  • NREMT Recertification (nremt.org)
Recertification Courses
WFR-RWFR Recertification & Hybrid WFR Recertification Valid WFR certification of at least 70 hours 24
  • Wilderness Medicine Handbook
  • WFR
  • NOLS Wilderness Medicine Adult, Child & Infant CPR
  • Epinephrine Autoinjector
 1 Hour 18 Hours CAPCE Varies**
  • WFR-R
  • Hybrid WFR-R
  • WAFA
  • WUMP
  • WFA
Education for Medical Professionals
WMPPWilderness Medicine for the Professional Practitioner Current EMT, Paramedic, RN, PA, MD, DO, or PT 16 Hours
  • Wilderness Medicine Field Guide
  • Wilderness Medicine Handbook
  • WFA
  • Epinephrine Autoinjector
 —
  • 16 Hours CAPCE
  • 15.5 Hours Category 1 CMEs
 Varies** —
WUMPWilderness Upgrade for Medical Professionals Current EMT, Paramedic, RN, PA, MD, DO, or PT 48 Hours
  • NOLS Wilderness Medicine
  • Wilderness Medicine Handbook
  • WFR
  • Upgrades an EMT to a WEMT
  • Epinephrine Autoinjector
 4 Hours
  • 48 Hours CAPCE
  • 45.75 Hours Category 1 CMEs
 Varies**
  • WFR-R
  • Hybrid WFR-R
  • WAFA
  • WUMP
  • WFA

* Continuing Education Units for EMTs (CAPCE) / Continuing Medical Education for MDs (CMEs).
** Fellowship of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM). Actual credits awarded depend on personal credit needs and history. Check with the Wilderness Medical Society for your personal credit details.
*** Participants under 18 years of age must have written consent of a parent or guardian.

Not sure where to start?

If you are new to wilderness medicine, the WFA is a strong weekend introduction, while the WFR is the field standard for outdoor educators, guides, and expedition leaders. Already certified? Recertify with a WFR-R. Licensed medical professionals can fast-track their wilderness credentials through the WMPP or WUMP.

Find your wilderness medicine course

Browse upcoming dates and locations for every NOLS Wilderness Medicine course, then reserve your spot.