Earn your nationally recognized NPS CET certification through on-demand online testing with remote proctoring.
Get your exam results within one hour and, after successfully completing all certification requirements, receive same-day certification and credential verification.
Free optional study modules, unlimited practice exams, and three certification exam attempts are included. Already prepared? Eligible candidates can proceed directly to the certification exam after application approval.
Certified EKG
Technician (CET) Certification
Program Includes:
NPS is not a school or training program. NPS is an examination provider and national certification agency.
Receive education, training, or experience in the field.
Meet the NPS eligibility requirements listed in the Candidate Handbook.
Take the secure proctored NPS certification exam.
Receive your NPS national certification, with online verification available within one hour of passing the exam.
NPS CERTIFICATION COMPARISON
See how NPS compares with other certification agencies on exam fees, optional preparation resources, and included exam attempts
| NPS | NHA | NCCT | CCI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credential | CET | CET | NCET | CCT |
| Exam Fee | $225 | $134 | $163 *with proctor fee | $175 |
| Study Materials | Included | $94 prep package | $50 Bundled | Not Offered |
| Practice Exams | Unlimited Attempts | 6 attempts included | 3 Attempts $25 | 1 Attempt $55 |
| Exam Attempts | 3 Attempts | 1 Attempt | 1 Attempt | 1 Attempt |
| Total With Prep | $225 | $228 | $238 | $230 |
One Price
No Surprise
Add-On Costs
Optional Prep
Included at
No Extra Cost
Verifiable
National
Credential
Three Exam
Attempts
Included
24/7
On-Demand
Testing
Prices shown are based on publicly available information as of 2026 and may change.
NPS study materials and practice exams are included as optional preparation resources only.
Meet the baseline requirements, then follow an eligibility pathway that applies to you.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Under 18? An age waiver may be required.
EDUCATION / PROGRAM
A qualifying education, employer, apprenticeship, or military training pathway may meet eligibility requirements.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Qualifying supervised work experience in the field may meet the experience pathway.
1 Yr In Last 3 Yrs
2 Yrs In Last 5 Yrs
FUTURE EXPERIENCE
Where permitted by the applicable NPS pathway, required hands-on experience may be completed within the allowed 180-day window.
180-Day Window
Earning your CET Certification through National Performance Specialists provides a national certification credential that employers, schools, and other organizations can verify through NPS Verify and demonstrates that you have met the applicable NPS certification requirements.
All NPS initial & renewal certification exams are remote proctored. NPS Remote Proctoring allows you to take your certification exam from the comfort of your home. Our advanced system provides you with 3 certification exam attempts and on-demand testing so you can test anytime without scheduling or going to a testing center.
As advancements in medical technology rise, more employers are requiring national certification in the EKG field each year.
EKG technicians are part of the broader cardiovascular technology workforce. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports employment projections for cardiovascular technologists and technicians as a group, which also includes more advanced specialties. Its group-wide wage figures should not be treated as typical EKG technician pay. This distinction matters when comparing career opportunities.
Become a Certified Electrocardiogram Technician in 4 easy steps:
Electrocardiogram Technicians who have completed a Electrocardiogram Technician training program or practical experience in the field and who have completed at least 10 live EKGs may register to sit for the CET certification exam.
The first step you need to take in your online CET certification is to register. Once you’ve completed your registration, you will receive access to your certification materials. Certification materials include complete comprehensive study materials, unlimited practice exams, and three attempts to take the certification exam.
Watch the video Certification Overview video below for an inside look at the certification process.
*Complete exam qualifications and requirements can be found in the NPS Candidate Handbook.
Your NPS account guides you through identity verification and the Candidate Application. Once your application is approved, you can access the certification examination without first completing study modules or practice exams. Free optional study modules and unlimited practice exams are available if you want to prepare before testing. NPS advisors can assist throughout the certification process.
*NPS study materials and practice exams are included as optional preparation resources. Candidates are not required to access or complete them before taking the certification examination. After completing identity verification and receiving application approval, eligible candidates may proceed directly to the exam. Use of preparation resources does not guarantee a passing score or certification.
NPS offers on-demand online testing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Once you're prepared and all exam requirements are met, you can test when you're ready.
The CET certification exam has 100 multiple-choice questions with a 120-minute time limit. You may take the certification exam at any time, and you have a total of 3 attempts to pass the CET exam without any retake fees.
Each time you take a practice exam or the certification exam, you will be provided with a domain proficiency report that will show you the areas of the study materials you need to focus on to improve your score.
Upon completion of your national certification exam, your results will be provided to you within 1 hour.
Once you pass, your digital certification is issued immediately and is instantly verifiable. Exam results are available within 1 hour, provided no proctoring violation is identified.
The cost for your initial two-year CET certification period is $225.
Your competency-based study guide, unlimited access to practice exams, and three chances to take the certification exam are all included in the cost of your initial certification, as well as your medically-driven resume revision and job placement assistance.
On average, these services would cost over $450, but with NPS they are all included for one low cost of $225.
When you register for online testing you are able to complete the EKG certification process online, at your own pace using completely free study materials, unlimited practice exams, our state-of-the-art e-learning software and three chances to take your exam.
When you pass the certification exam, your NPS national certification is issued and becomes immediately verifiable through NPS Verify. Your digital certification and digital badge are available in your account, and the badge includes a QR code that allows employers, schools, and other organizations to quickly verify your certification status and credential details.
Optional study materials, unlimited practice exams, and three certification exam attempts are included with your registration, giving you flexible preparation resources without separate study-material or retake fees.
NPS includes optional study materials, unlimited practice exams, and three certification exam attempts with your registration so you can prepare at your own pace.
We expect NPS-certified members to present themselves professionally. National Performance Specialists is a subdivision of the National Association for Psychometric Competency Testing (NAPCT). We reserve the right to revoke certifications at any time if an NPS-certified member does not conduct themselves as a moral and professional member of the allied health community.
Complete study materials and unlimited practice exams
Three attempts to pass the exam without retake fees
The largest network of allied health recruiters & staffing agencies
Free professional resume builder available for all certified members
Provided immediately on our site.
Once you have passed the certification exam, your certification is able to be printed and verified.
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.
