No, You have to be employed by an agency that is either a PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) or Secondary PSAP.
It is also true to become certified with APCO, NAED and others. You need to be employed part time or full time.
I would suggest getting in some place part time and see if they will sponsor you for classes and courses. Starting this fall SETB (State 911) will be offering their 5 week Dispatchers Academy for free but you will have to be employed by a public safety agency. This includes local, county, regional and state agencies to include state colleges and universities. It is my understanding the private ambulance services and colleges will not be ellegible.
There are places that hire part time dispatchers. You will have to look around. Look here because people are always posting jobs that come up on LEAPS. Wish I could be more help. Oh maybe if you know a chief he would sponosr you to take classes or courses.
Jeremie