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 attend a training class. Plymouth, Minnesota is home to many state qualified EKG training programs that will prepare students for a Electrocardiogram Technician career. An EKG training program is generally compiled 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 Plymouth, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When evaluating an EKG training program, it’s important to be careful and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not every one of them provide the critical training and clinical resources needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs do not offer 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 important factors to consider when evaluating a program is its accreditation and adherence to quality benchmarks. Program 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 approved training program ensures that you receive proper 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 verifies 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 establish 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 current with the latest regulations, advancements, and compliance measures. 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 completion of an EKG training program, you will get 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 your successful completion of an EKG training school and is required to sit for the national certification exam for individuals who have no experience in the field.
To get certified, an EKG Technician must have their competency put to the test by a third-party credentialing agency, like NPS. Once certified, an EKG Technician must update their certification each 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 cover the latest best practices, safety protocols, and technological advancements in electrocardiography. Many professional credentialing bodies and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help EKG Technician enhance and develop their skills.
There are several certification agencies that EKG Technician can choose to become certified with, but selecting the right one can positively influence your career.
Pursuing EKG certification not only proves your skills 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 strengthen their expertise, build their professional network, and prepare themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer 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, 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 with flexibility and from the comfort of home. Be sure to check 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 credentialing exam, utilize a wide range of study resources to maximize your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When selecting prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in weaker areas, and regular use of complete practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help build your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, mock exams are extremely useful 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 quickly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your official certification is 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 start your medical career in Plymouth, Minnesota. 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 strong demand across the healthcare industry due to expanded healthcare services, a growing elderly population, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand contributes to a strong job outlook, 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 vary depending on region and experience. With growing opportunities and a relatively short training period, electrocardiography is a great way to begin a meaningful 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 need 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 sufficient time to review their continuing education hours and attempt 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 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 lapses, many certifying agencies offer reinstatement options. The process typically involves fulfilling 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 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 competent EKG Technician with greater 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 guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Plymouth, Minnesota 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 undergo the entire process online. If you would like 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.
