Electrocardiogram Technicians prepare patients, attach and adjust EKG electrodes, record and interpret cardiac rhythms, and maintain accurate ECG logs — ensuring reliable heart monitoring and patient safety. Follow this NPS guide to earn your Certified Electrocardiogram Technician (CET) credential.
The first step to your career as a Certified Electrocardiogram Technician (CET) is to complete a training program. Boston, Massachusetts is home to many state endorsed EKG training programs that will prepare students for a Electrocardiogram Technician career. An EKG training program is generally a total of 40-80 in class hours and 20-40 clinical hours that will take place outside of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute associated with the program. In Boston, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When evaluating an EKG training program, it’s important to be methodical and informed. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not all of them provide the essential training and hands-on components needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs lack clinical hours, which are vital for gaining real-world experience performing EKGs in a professional lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the eligibility requirements for national certification — even if you graduate from the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when evaluating a program is its accreditation and adherence to quality benchmarks. Accreditation is a quality assurance granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of curriculum, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In electrocardiography, attending an accredited training program ensures that you receive proper education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare quality expectations.
After graduating from an EKG training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often confused. This document does not make you a certified EKG Technician. It simply proves that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with zero experience.
To get certified, students must pass an exam from a recognized agency such as National Performance Specialists (NPS). NPS helps define national standards, develops the certification exams, and maintains a registry of certified professionals.
Certification must be renewed every two years, and completing continuing education is a key requirement for renewal if the a certification holder does not wish to take an additional exam. This ensures that certified EKG Technician remain up to date with the latest professional practices, techniques, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the number and type of continuing education hours required, making it simple for professionals to maintain their credentials.
If you are planning to attend an EKG training program and would like an NPS adviser to double check that the program is legit, contact us today.
Upon successful completion of an EKG training course, you will get a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a entirely common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your successful completion of an EKG training program and is required to attempt the national certification exam for individuals who’ve acquired no experience in the field.
To get certified, an EKG Technician must have their competency put to the test by a third-party authorizing agency, like NPS. Once certified, an EKG Technician must renew their certification once every two years by completing Continuing Education. Continuing education can take many forms, such as on-the-job workshops, online courses, webinars, or specialized training modules. These programs often cover the latest best practices, safety protocols, and technological advancements in electrocardiography. Many professional associations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help EKG Technician enhance and refine their skills.
There are a variety of certification agencies that EKG Technician can choose to become certified with, but selecting the most recognized one can make a big difference in your career.
Earning EKG certification not only proves your expertise and commitment to quality care, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, EKG Technicians can sharpen their expertise, expand their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers require certified candidates, making certification an valuable step toward becoming a competitive applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes an all-inclusive study guide, unlimited practice exams, three final certification exam attempts, a professional resume revision, and job placement assistance. The entire process can be completed entirely online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare at your own pace and from the comfort of home. Be sure to explore whether your certifying agency provides included study tools or if there are additional costs for advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Electrocardiogram Technician (CET).
Once you have registered for the certification exam, take advantage of a broad selection of exam preparation materials to boost your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When evaluating prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both core concepts and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in weaker areas, and regular use of full-length practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help build your confidence and ensure you’re well prepared for exam day.
In addition, sample tests are extremely useful for mirroring the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer endless practice exams, while others up sell practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national certification is available in your account. Your digital copy, along with your NPS transcripts, should be downloaded and printed for use as proof of certification.
Now that you’re a Certified Electrocardiogram Technician (CET), you’re ready to begin your medical career in Boston, Massachusetts. Electrocardiography is a great entry point into the medical industry, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified EKG Technicians are in high demand across the healthcare industry due to expanded healthcare services, a rise in senior patients, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand supports a strong job outlook, making EKG a stable and appealing career choice.
EKG Technicians typically work a standard 40-hour week and earn an average annual salary of approximately $47,500, though wages can fluctuate depending on location and experience. With expanding job openings and a brief training period, electrocardiography is a smart way to begin a rewarding healthcare career.
NPS works with multiple staffing agencies to help our members find a career in the EKG field. Click here for more information on EKG job placement assistance by NPS.
Certified Electrocardiogram Technicians will be required to renew their CET Certification every two years. An EKG Technician should start the process at least 30 days prior to the day their certification expires. This will permit the EKG Technician satisfactory time to complete their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not have to go back to an EKG course or attend a class to renew your certification.
The renewal process can be completed from start to finish online in the NPS learning management system. The cost to renew your certification for the new two year time period is $200.00. Renewing ensures your employer that you are dedicated to updating your knowledge in the electrocardiography field.
If your certification lapses, many certifying agencies offer ways to restore your certification. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and covering a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific guidelines and timeframes to restore your active status.
Click to learn more about Renewing You CET Certification.
A Certified Electrocardiogram Instructor (CEI) is a highly talented EKG Technician with greater than 5 years of experience in the field. EKG Technician Instructors can work for or own their own school. They’re needed for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Boston, Massachusetts should tell their students with the instructors background and credentials.
If an EKG Technician Instructors meets the requirements and wishes to become a Certified Electrocardiogram Instructor (CEI) they can finalize the entire process online. If you would like to request to speak with someone regarding the process, contact us today.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Electrocardiogram Instructor (CEI).
National Performance Specialists is also partnered with the American Red Cross to provide job placement assistance to NPS Members and to assist the American Red Cross in recruiting quality candidates across the United States.
All NPS certification programs are proudly listed within the Certification Finder by CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration and is a proud partner of the AmericanJobCenter network.
