Patient Care Technicians play a key role in the medical field. Patient Care Technicians draw blood and perform EKGs, monitor vital signs, and assist with patients’ daily needs — ensuring both accurate diagnostics and compassionate support.
The first step to your career as a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) is to attend a training class. Homestead, Florida is home to many state recognized patient care training programs that will prepare students for a patient care technician career. A patient care 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 united with the program. In Homestead, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When selecting a patient care training course, it’s important to be thorough and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not every one of them provide the essential 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 drawing blood in a real lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the required requirements for national certification — even if you complete the course.
One of the most crucial factors to consider when comparing a program is its recognized standing and adherence to industry guidelines. Accreditation is formal recognition granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of curriculum, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In patient care, attending an accredited training program ensures that you receive proper education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare quality expectations.
After finishing a patient care training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misunderstood. This document does not make you a certified patient care technician. It simply verifies that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with zero experience.
To officially become 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 maintained 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 patient care technicians remain up to date with the latest industry standards, techniques, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the amount and type of continuing education hours required, making it simple for professionals to maintain their credentials.
If you are planning to attend a patient care training program and would like an NPS adviser to double check that the program is legit, contact us today.
Upon your successful completion of a patient care training school, you will get a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a unquestionably common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of a patient care training school and is required to attempt the national certification exam for individuals who have no experience in the field.
To get certified, a patient care technician must have their competency put to the test by a third-party certification agency, like NPS. Once certified, a patient care technician must renew their certification every 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 patient care. Many professional associations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help patient care technicians enhance and advance their skills.
There are a variety of certification agencies that patient care technicians can choose to become certified with, but selecting the most recognized one can positively influence your career.
Obtaining patient care technician certification not only shows your expertise and commitment to quality care, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, patient care technicians can sharpen their knowledge, build their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers look for certified candidates, making certification an essential step toward becoming a strong applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a full study guide, unlimited 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 at your own pace and from the convenience of home. Be sure to explore whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are additional costs for advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT).
Once you have registered to sit for the certification exam, utilize a wide range of study resources to enhance your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When evaluating prep tools, look for materials that match the exam’s content outline and focus on both academic material and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of complete practice exams to simulate 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 highly beneficial for mirroring the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer repeated practice exams, while others charge extra for practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are hurriedly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your 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 Patient Care Technician (CPCT), you’re ready to begin your medical career in Homestead, Florida. The field of patient care is a solid entry point into the medical field, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified Patient Care Technicians are in strong demand across the healthcare industry due to expanded healthcare services, an aging population, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand supports a strong job outlook, making patient care a reliable and worthwhile career choice.
Patient Care Technicians typically work a standard 40-hour week and earn an average annual salary of approximately $38,000, though wages can differ depending on location and experience. With expanding job openings and a relatively short training period, patient care is a efficient way to begin a meaningful healthcare career.
NPS works with multiple staffing agencies to help our members find a career in the patient care field. Click here for more information on CPCT job placement assistance by NPS.
Certified Patient Care Technicians will be required to renew their CPCT Certification every two years. A Patient Care Technician should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the week their certification expires. This will allow the patient care technician acceptable time to complete their continuing education hours and attempt their renewal assessment. You will not have to go back to a patient care course or attend a class to renew your certification.
The renewal process can be completed from start to finish online in the NPS learning management system. The cost to renew your credentials for the following two year is $200.00. Renewing ensures your employer that you are dedicated to updating your knowledge in the patient care field.
If your certification lapses, many certifying agencies offer ways to restore your certification. The process typically involves fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific steps and timeframes to restore your active status.
Click to learn more about Renewing You CPCT Certification.
A Certified Patient Care Technician Instructor (CPCTI) is a highly gifted patient care technician with greater than 5 years of experience in the field. Patient Care 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 Homestead, Florida should provide students with the instructors background and credentials.
If a patient care technician meets the requirements and wishes to become a Certified Patient Care Technician Instructor (CPCTI) they can undergo the entire process online. If you would like to request to speak with someone about the process, contact us today.
Click to learn more about becoming a Patient Care Technician Instructor (CPCTI).
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.
