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. Waldenburg, Michigan 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 of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute united with the program. In Waldenburg, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When selecting an EKG training course, it’s important to be careful and knowledgeable. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not every one of them provide the essential training and practical experience opportunities needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs do not offer clinical hours, which are fundamental for gaining real-world experience performing EKGs in a real lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the minimum requirements for national certification — even if you finish the course.
One of the most crucial factors to consider when evaluating a program is its approval status and adherence to professional standards. Accreditation is an official endorsement granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of curriculum, 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 best practices.
After graduating from an EKG training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misinterpreted. This document does not make you “certified”. It simply verifies that you’ve completed 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 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 current with the latest regulations, advancements, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide clear guidelines on the number 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 successful completion of an EKG training class, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a extremely 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 exam for individuals who’ve acquired no experience in the field.
To officially get certified, an EKG Technician must have their competency put to the test by a third-party authorizing agency, like NPS. Once certified, an EKG Technician must update 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 expand 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 proves 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 sharpen their knowledge, expand their professional network, and prepare 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 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 100% online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare at your own pace and from the comfort of home. Be sure to explore whether your certifying agency provides included study tools or if there are extra fees for advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Electrocardiogram Technician (CET).
Once you have registered to sit for the competency exam, take advantage of a wide range of study resources to boost your readiness. Many certifying agencies offer resources such as detailed 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 developing a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of complete practice exams to mirror the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, sample tests are extremely useful for replicating the real test environment and pinpointing areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer unlimited practice exams, while others charge extra 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 national certification is made available in your account. Your digital copy, and 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 Waldenburg, Michigan. The field of Electrocardiography is a great 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 rise in senior patients, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand contributes to a positive employment outlook, making EKG a stable 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 vary depending on geography and experience. With increasing prospects and a fast-track training period, electrocardiography is a efficient 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 need 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 acceptable time to complete their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not need 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 next 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 covering a reinstatement fee. It’s important to confirm with your certifying body for specific procedures 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 gifted 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 Waldenburg, Michigan 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 complete the entire process online. If you would prefer 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.
