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 course. Pasadena, Texas is home to many state recognized 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 associated with the program. In Pasadena, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When selecting an EKG training school, it’s important to be thorough and informed. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not every one of them provide the necessary training and clinical resources 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 real lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the minimum requirements for national certification — even if you complete the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when evaluating a program is its approval status and adherence to professional standards. Accreditation is a quality assurance granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of instruction, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In electrocardiography, attending an accredited training program ensures that you receive appropriate education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare industry standards.
After graduating from an EKG training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misunderstood. 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 limited 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 renewed 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, procedures, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward guidelines on the total 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 school, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a unconditionally common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of an EKG training program and is required to attempt the national certification examination for individuals possessing no experience in the field.
To officially get 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 maintain their certification each 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 develop their skills.
There are many certification agencies that EKG Technician can choose to become certified with, but selecting the best one can make a big difference in your career.
Pursuing EKG certification not only shows your expertise and commitment to professional excellence, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, EKG Technicians can enhance their knowledge, expand their professional network, and set themselves up for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer certified candidates, making certification an important step toward becoming a strong applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a comprehensive study guide, repeated 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 with flexibility and from the comfort of home. Be sure to explore whether your certifying agency provides free resources or if there are extra fees for upgraded content.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Electrocardiogram Technician (CET).
Once you have registered for the competency exam, take advantage of a broad selection of exam preparation materials to boost your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as thorough study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When choosing prep tools, look for materials that match the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider following a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in weaker areas, and regular use of simulated practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are highly beneficial 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 final 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 start your medical career in Pasadena, Texas. Electrocardiography is an excellent entry point into the medical workforce, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified EKG Technicians are in strong demand across the healthcare industry due to expanded healthcare services, a growing elderly population, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand supports a positive employment outlook, making EKG a reliable 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 vary depending on location and experience. With growing opportunities and a relatively short training period, electrocardiography is a great 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 day their credentials expires. This will allow the EKG Technician enough time to review their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not need 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 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 expires, many certifying agencies offer a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves finishing any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific steps and timeframes to restore your active status.
Click to learn more about Renewing You CET Certification.
A Certified Electrocardiogram Instructor (CEI) is a highly competent 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 information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Pasadena, Texas 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 complete 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.
