Policies

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

NOLS encourages you to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and up-to-date with any boosters you are eligible to receive.Based on requirements of our clinical partners, WEMT students will continue to need to be fully vaccinated at the start of their WEMT course. In addition, we strongly recommend being up up-to-date with all eligible boosters.

Please see our Communicable Disease Mitigation Practices for more information.

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, Payment & Attendance Policies

Cancellation Policy
If NOLS Wilderness Medicine is providing the registration service for your course, the following policies apply:

For Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician // Medicine in the Wild // Wilderness Medicine Expedition Courses:

45 days or greater prior to the course start date – Students may cancel the course, and will receive a refund less a $50.00 fee.
Less than 45 days prior to the course start date-The course is non-refundable or transferable. Tuition in full is due at 45 days.

All Other Wilderness Medicine Courses:

15 days or greater prior to the course start date – Students may cancel the course, and will receive a refund less a $50.00 fee.
Less than 15 days prior to the course start date-The course is non-refundable or transferable. Tuition in full is due at 15 days.

Payment Policy
If NOLS Wilderness Medicine is providing the registration service for your course, full tuition payment must be received by the cancellation deadline for your course. Failure to pay in full for a course by the deadline will result in the cancelation of your registration, and retention of all monies paid. For WEMT/MED/WME courses tuition in full is due 45 days prior to the course start date. For all other wilderness medicine courses payment in full is due 15 days prior to your course start.

Attendance Policy
Students are required to attend all class sessions and field exercises. Students may miss no more than 10% of the in-person course hours. Review of missed curriculum or examinations is the student’s responsibility. Students with absences exceeding 10% of in-person course hours will not be eligible for testing and/or certification. No refunds of tuition or course costs will be offered.

A student practices taping the ankle of a scenario patient in the desert.

Tuition Protection and Travel Insurance

Tuition Protection

In alignment with our Cancellation Policy, we will not refund or transfer any students who are unable to attend a course within the cancellation deadline due to last-minute personal or medical issues including COVID-19; this policy is inclusive of issues that arise once the course has started. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip insurance which includes coverage for COVID-19. Policies vary greatly and it is your responsibility to ensure your policy is the right fit for your needs and has appropriate coverage. While there is a range of available Tuition Protection and Travel Insurance providers, our preferred provider is MDM Group Associates, Inc.. Please read each policy carefully and discuss any questions with a policy specialist at the provider you select.

Recertification Policies

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

All NOLS Wilderness Medicine certifications are good for two years from the end date of the course. NOLS Wilderness Medicine certifications will be afforded a one-year period after expiration within which to recertify. This one-year re-entry period is only offered for NOLS Wilderness Medicine certifications. Your certification is not valid during your re-entry period. Should you fail to recertify by the end of your re-entry period you will need to participate in a full course to gain a valid certification. NOLS Wilderness Medicine certified students should bring their certification card to the course so that the instructor can verify the expiration date.

Example: If the last day of your course is September 1, 2021, your certification expires on September 1, 2023, your re-entry period ends September 1, 2024.

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

On Course Policies

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

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

If you have a service animal that is trained to do work or perform tasks on your behalf and intend to bring them to class, please contact us.

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.