What Is It Known For?
Idaho Medical Academy (IMA) was founded in 2014 to provide training for EMTs, medical assistants, and other healthcare roles in Boise, Idaho. The academy serves as a pathway for community service and career change within the growing healthcare field.
Staff members bring over 80 years of combined EMS and healthcare experience, which gives students access to real-world knowledge and practical insights that go beyond textbook learning. Specific annual enrollment figures are not disclosed publicly, so you should reach out to the school directly for current enrollment information.
Degrees & Certifications
Idaho Medical Academy offers certificate programs in multiple healthcare fields. Some of the programs available include:
- EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)
- Advanced EMT (AEMT)
- Medical Assisting
- Phlebotomy
- Pharmacy Technician
- Medical Coding
- And Many More!
Class Schedules
The school offers self-paced online courses for full flexibility, as well as hybrid options that combine weekly live online lectures with an in-person skills week. If you work during the day, you can take advantage of evening classes, which often run from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Certain programs, such as the EMT course, require you to complete clinical rotations to meet state standards. You get the freedom to schedule these rotations yourself, provided you secure approval from both the site and the academy.
Is It a Good School?
While the school does not hold institutional accreditation from the Idaho State Board of Education, it carries specific recognition relevant to its primary focus. The Idaho Department of Emergency Medical Servicesrecognizes it as a valid training institution.
Acceptance Rate
The academy does not publish a specific acceptance rate.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Tuition ranges from approximately $200 to $2,500, depending on which program you select. Shorter certificate programs like Phlebotomy typically cost less than comprehensive programs like Medical Assisting.
Unfortunately, the school does not offer a net price calculator on its website, so you should contact the schooldirectly for detailed pricing information and details about any additional fees beyond base tuition.
Programs & Courses
Healthcare
- EMT
- Medical Assistant
- Phlebotomy
- CPR
Campus Locations
Boise 2323 South Vista Avenue Suite 203, Boise, ID 83705
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, the Idaho Medical Academy (IMA) is a highly-regarded training center for EMT, AEMT, and various certification courses (Phlebotomy, IV, BLS). It is praised for its passionate instructors, effective hands-on training, and flexible self-paced options. However, a recent, detailed complaint highlights significant concerns about administrative communication and instructional quality within certain cohorts.
Overall Score: 4.9/5 Stars
Common Praises
Exceptional Instructors and Passion: Instructors—including a former paramedic with 8 years of experience and others cited by name—are consistently described as “phenomenal,” “very knowledgeable,” “patient,” and “passionate about EMS.” The owner is also noted for providing valuable one-on-one instruction during basic life support classes.
Effective and Confidence-Building Training: Students in the EMT, AEMT, and Phlebotomy courses feel confident after graduation. One student passed the NREMT in 70 questions, stating the test “seemed like a breeze.” Phlebotomy students who were initially “pretty nervous” felt completely supported and comfortable by the end.
Flexibility and Self-Paced Options: The self-paced online/hybrid courses (EMT and AEMT) are highly valued for their flexibility, allowing students to learn on their own schedule while maintaining a high-quality, fun skills week.
Diverse and Relevant Offerings: The academy successfully runs a variety of courses, from core EMT training to advanced certifications (ACLS, PALS, IV, Phlebotomy), providing a solid place to start a career in fire or EMS.
Common Criticisms
Inconsistent Instructional Quality and Communication: One detailed recent review claimed their daughter’s EMT class had a “horrible job” done by instructors who “didn’t cover half of the things.” The reviewer also claimed instructors quit mid-class (which the owner publicly denies). This highlights a severe communication breakdown between the parent, student, and the administration, and suggests quality control issues within certain student cohorts.
Concerns about Value: The same reviewer described the course as “Overpriced,” contrasting with many other reviewers who described the pricing as “Great price” or “Reasonable price.”
Momentum
Idaho Medical Academy exhibits extremely high positive momentum driven by recent, specific praise for its flexible course options and highly effective instructors in both the Phlebotomy and EMT programs. However, this is slightly tempered by the isolated but severe negative critique regarding one cohort’s experience. The school’s overall trend remains one of sustained excellence in student preparation and career readiness, backed by an administration that actively seeks to resolve reported issues.