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 program. Hoffman Estates, Illinois is home 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 outside of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute allied with the program. In Hoffman Estates, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When choosing an EKG training course, it’s important to be methodical and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not all of them provide the essential training and practical experience opportunities needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs lack clinical hours, which are vital for gaining practical experience performing EKGs in a clinical lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the eligibility requirements for national certification — even if you finish the course.
One of the most important factors to consider when comparing 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 education, 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 best practices.
After finishing 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 confirms that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with no prior 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 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 up to date with the latest professional practices, procedures, and guidelines. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined 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 gainful completion of an EKG training school, 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 successful completion of an EKG training school and is required to take the national certification examination for individuals who have no experience in the field.
To officially get certified, an EKG Technician must have their knowledge 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 be completed in several ways, such as on-the-job workshops, online courses, webinars, or specialized training modules. These programs often include 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 develop their skills.
There are several 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 demonstrates your expertise and commitment to quality care, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly participating in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, EKG Technicians can sharpen their capabilities, build their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer certified candidates, making certification an important step toward becoming a standout applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a comprehensive study guide, endless practice exams, three final certification exam attempts, a professional resume revision, and job placement assistance. The entire process can be completed fully 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 check whether your certifying agency provides included study tools or if there are additional costs 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 wide range of prep tools to boost your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as detailed 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 core concepts and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of simulated practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help boost your confidence and ensure you’re fully prepared for exam day.
In addition, sample tests are invaluable for simulating the real test environment and spotting 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 certification exam, your credentials are immediately inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your certification is downloadable 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 begin your medical career in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Training in Electrocardiography is an excellent starting point 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 expanded healthcare services, an aging population, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand supports a positive employment outlook, making EKG a secure and worthwhile 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 geography and experience. With expanding job openings and a fast-track training period, electrocardiography is a smart way to begin a fulfilling 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 ample time to complete their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not have to go back to a school 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 credentials 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 completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to confirm 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 more than 5 years of experience in the field. EKG Technician Instructors can instruct for or own their own school. They’re needed for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Hoffman Estates, Illinois should provide 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 speak 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.
