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 choose a training school. Glen Burnie, Maryland is house to many state approved 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 Glen Burnie, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When selecting an EKG training school, it’s important to be thorough and knowledgeable. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not all of them provide the critical training and clinical resources needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs fail to provide clinical hours, which are required for gaining practical 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 important factors to consider when evaluating a program is its recognized standing and adherence to professional standards. Program accreditation is formal recognition granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of education, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In electrocardiography, attending an recognized training program ensures that you receive appropriate education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare best practices.
After completing an EKG training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often confused. This document does not make you “certified”. It simply verifies that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with no prior experience.
To become 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 updated every two years, and completing continuing education is a mandatory 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 regulations, techniques, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward guidelines on the total and type of continuing education hours required, making it easy 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 school, you will earn 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 class and is required to sit for the national certification exam for individuals who have no experience in the field.
To become certified, an EKG Technician must have their skills put to the test by a third-party certification agency, like NPS. Once certified, an EKG Technician must renew their certification once every two years by completing Continuing Education. Continuing education can come in multiple formats, such as on-the-job workshops, online courses, webinars, or specialized training modules. These programs often focus on 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 maintain and advance their skills.
There are many certification agencies that EKG Technician can choose to become certified with, but selecting the most recognized one can significantly impact your career.
Pursuing EKG certification not only demonstrates your expertise and commitment to professional excellence, but also supports ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, EKG Technicians can sharpen their capabilities, expand their professional network, and set themselves up for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer 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 a full study guide, repeated 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 convenience of home. Be sure to explore whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are extra fees for premium materials.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Electrocardiogram Technician (CET).
Once you have registered to take the credentialing exam, utilize a broad selection of study resources to boost your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as comprehensive study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When choosing prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both academic material and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of full-length practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help boost your confidence and ensure you’re well prepared for exam day.
In addition, mock exams are extremely useful for mirroring the real test environment and identifying areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer repeated practice exams, while others require payment for practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are quickly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your credentials is provided in your account. Your digital copy, paired 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 start your medical career in Glen Burnie, Maryland. The field of Electrocardiography is a solid starting 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 the growth of healthcare services, an aging population, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand supports a strong job outlook, making EKG a stable and appealing career choice.
EKG Technicians typically perform 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 relatively short training period, electrocardiography is a efficient 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 have to renew their CET Certification every two years. An EKG Technician should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the day their certification expires. This will permit the EKG Technician satisfactory time to attend their continuing education hours and attempt 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 entirely online in the NPS learning management system. The cost to renew your certification for the following 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 becomes inactive, many certifying agencies offer ways to restore your certification. The process typically involves finishing any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific steps and cutoff dates to restore your active status.
Click to learn more about Renewing You CET Certification.
A Certified Electrocardiogram Instructor (CEI) is a highly capable 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 responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Glen Burnie, Maryland should provide 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 prefer 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.
