Update: TRAVEL & CORONAVIRUS NOTICE 

NOLS Wilderness Medicine

Policies

Justin Alexandre
Two students us a hypowrap to treat a patient with hypothermia during a NOLS Wilderness Medicine scenario.

Minimum Age Requirements

  • Wilderness Medicine Expedition: 23 years old
  • Wilderness EMT: 18 years old
  • Wilderness First Responder: 16 years old
  • Wilderness Advanced First Aid: 16 years old
  • Wilderness First Aid: 16 years old
A course participant helps a patient with a leg injury walk during a NOLS Wilderness Medicine scenario.

Cancellation Policies

Attendance Policy
Students are required to attend all class sessions and field exercises. Limited absences for family or medical concerns can be accommodated. Review of missed curriculum or examinations is the student’s responsibility. Contact us for more information or to speak with the instructors on site.

Cancellation and Transfer Policy
If NOLS Wilderness Medicine is your course’s sponsor, the following policies apply.

For all courses except WEMT, MED, and WME, if you cancel or withdraw from a course:

  • Greater than or equal to 30 days prior to the course starting date, we will retain a $35.00 administrative fee and refund your deposit/tuition.
  • Between 30 days of the course start date and 5 p.m. Mountain Time on the last business day before your course begins your WFA, WFR-Recertification, Hybrid WFR-Recertification, and WMPP tuition is non-refundable, non-transferable and your WFR, WAFA, WUMP course deposit is non-refundable, non-transferable.
  • Once the course has begun, the full tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable.

For WEMT courses, if you cancel or withdraw from a course:

  • Greater than or equal to 45 days prior to the course starting date, we will retain a $35.00 administrative fee and refund your deposit/tuition.
  • Within 45 days of the course start date and throughout the duration of the course, your deposit/tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable.

For MED and WME courses, if you cancel or withdraw from a course:

  • Between 60 and 46 days prior to the course starting date, NOLS will retain 50% of course tuition.
  • Less than 45 days prior to course start date and once the course has begun, there will be no refunds.
  • We strongly urge you to purchase refundable plane tickets and trip insurance or the Tuition Protection Plan.

If NOLS Wilderness Medicine is not your course sponsor, you must contact the sponsor to inquire about their cancellation and transfer policy.
 

Recertification Policies

Keep your edge, learn updated curriculum, and refresh your skills: recertify your wilderness medicine training before your certification expires.

A student stops and takes in the flowers and rainbow in the Rocky Mountains.

On Course Policies

Attendance Requirements 
Students are required to attend all class sessions and field exercises. Students may miss no more than 10% of the course hours. Review of missed curriculum or examinations is the student’s responsibility. Absences exceeding 10% of course hours will result in eligibility for testing and/or certification with no refunds of tuition or course costs. 

Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, Weapons
No alcohol, no tobacco, no drugs, and no weapons are allowed in the classroom.

Pets and Service Animals
Pets are not allowed at the course site. This includes leashing them outside. Any student bringing a pet to class will be asked to leave until the pet is safely situated in a kennel or other facility. No exceptions.

If you have a service animal and intend to bring them to class, please contact us.

A patient smiles during a WEMT scenario as he is strapped onto a backboard.

Essential Eligibility Criteria

A qualified student is one that meets the Essential Eligibility Criteria for the course type they are applying for.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Cornell Leadership Expedition for NOLS Pro Leadership trip in Patagonia.

Equal Opportunity

NOLS is committed to building a diverse community that is inclusive of people from all backgrounds. NOLS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, genetics information, disability unrelated to job or admission requirements, or veteran status. The school’s nondiscrimination policy applies to all phases of its employment process, its admission and financial aid programs, and to all other aspects of its educational programs and activities. Retaliation directed to any person who pursues a discrimination complaint or grievance, participates in a discrimination investigation, or otherwise opposes unlawful discrimination is prohibited.

Please contact us with any questions.

Tuition Protection Plan

Applicable to Wilderness EMT, Medicine in the Wild, and Wilderness Medicine Expedition Courses.

NOLS offers a Tuition Protection Plan, provided by AON Affinity, for citizens of the U.S. and Canada who meet certain legal residence requirements at a cost of six percent of the total tuition. The plan helps to protect against tuition loss should you be unable to participate or complete your WEMT, MED, or WME course due to an injury or illness to yourself or your immediate family. Additionally, this plan may help to pay for evacuation costs from the course location. The Tuition Protection Plan payment is non-refundable and not transferable.

NOLS strongly recommends the Tuition Protection Plan to safeguard your investment in tuition.

AmeriCorps Awards are not reimbursable under this plan nor through NOLS.
 

Promotion Policy

NOLS uses students’ names, photos, and other images in promotional material, videos, and press releases.