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 enroll in a training school. Eagan, Minnesota is house to many state qualified EKG training programs that will prepare students for a Electrocardiogram Technician career. An EKG training program is generally about 40-80 in class hours and 20-40 clinical hours that will take place separate of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute allied with the program. In Eagan, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When evaluating an EKG training school, it’s important to be thorough and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not all of them provide the necessary training and practical experience opportunities needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs fail to provide clinical hours, which are vital for gaining practical experience performing EKGs in a professional lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the required requirements for national certification — even if you graduate from the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when researching a program is its approval status and adherence to professional standards. Accreditation is formal recognition granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of instruction, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In electrocardiography, attending an approved training program ensures that you receive comprehensive education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare industry standards.
After completing an EKG training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misinterpreted. This document does not make you nationally certified. It simply proves that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with limited experience.
To officially become certified, students must pass an exam from a recognized agency such as National Performance Specialists (NPS). NPS helps establish national standards, develops the certification exams, and maintains a registry of certified professionals.
Certification must be maintained every two years, and completing continuing education is a core requirement for renewal if the a certification holder does not wish to take an additional exam. This ensures that certified EKG Technician remain in compliance with the latest professional practices, advancements, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide clear guidelines on the amount and type of continuing education hours required, making it straightforward 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 your successful completion of an EKG training course, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a unquestionably common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your completion of an EKG training class and is required to attempt the national certification exam for individuals who have no experience in the field.
To become certified, an EKG Technician must have their knowledge put to the test by a third-party certification agency, like NPS. Once certified, an EKG Technician must renew their certification each two years by completing Continuing Education. Continuing education can be completed in several ways, 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 organizations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help EKG Technician maintain 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.
Pursuing EKG certification not only demonstrates your competency and commitment to professional excellence, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly participating in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, EKG Technicians can strengthen their capabilities, grow their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers look for certified candidates, making certification an essential step toward becoming a standout applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a full study guide, endless practice exams, three final certification exam attempts, a professional resume revision, and job placement assistance. The entire process can be completed 100% online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare at your own pace and from the ease of home. Be sure to verify whether your certifying agency provides free resources or if there are extra fees for advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Electrocardiogram Technician (CET).
Once you have registered for the certification exam, make use of a broad selection of study resources to enhance your readiness. Many certifying agencies offer resources such as comprehensive 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 daily review, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of full-length practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re fully prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are highly beneficial for simulating the real test environment and pinpointing 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 quickly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national certification is made available in your account. Your digital copy, side by side 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 Eagan, Minnesota. Electrocardiography is a great gateway into the medical field, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified EKG Technicians are in great demand across the healthcare industry due to the growth of healthcare services, an aging population, and a rise in lab testing. This rising demand supports a steady job market, making EKG a stable and attractive career choice.
EKG Technicians typically are scheduled for a standard 40-hour week and earn an average annual salary of approximately $47,500, though wages can fluctuate depending on region and experience. With expanding job openings and a fast-track 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 after two years. An EKG Technician should start the process at least 30 days prior to the week their credentials expires. This will permit the EKG Technician satisfactory time to attend their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not need to go register 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 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 reinstatement options. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and covering a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with 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 proficient EKG Technician with more than 5 years of experience in the field. EKG Technician Instructors can instruct for or own their own school. They’re responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Eagan, Minnesota should tell their students details about 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 talk with someone about 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.
