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 enroll in a training program. Las Cruces, New Mexico is house to many state credited patient care training programs that will prepare students for a patient care technician career. A patient care training program is generally a total of 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 allied with the program. In Las Cruces, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When choosing a patient care training program, it’s important to be thorough and knowledgeable. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not each of them provide the vital training and clinical resources needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs do not offer clinical hours, which are critical for gaining practical experience drawing blood 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 important factors to consider when comparing a program is its accreditation and adherence to professional standards. Accreditation is formal recognition granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of instruction, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In patient care, attending an recognized training program ensures that you receive appropriate 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 misinterpreted. This document does not make you a certified patient care technician. 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 get 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 core requirement for renewal if the a certification holder does not wish to take an additional exam. This ensures that certified patient care technicians remain in compliance with the latest professional practices, procedures, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide clear guidelines on the amount and type of continuing education hours required, making it easy 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 completion of a patient care training program, you will have a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a totally common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your successful completion of a patient care training program and is required to take the national certification test for individuals who have no experience in the field.
To become certified, a patient care technician must have their knowledge put to the test by a third-party certification agency, like NPS. Once certified, a patient care technician must renew their certification each 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 focus on 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 maintain and refine their skills.
There are many certification agencies that patient care technicians can choose to become certified with, but selecting the right one can make a big difference in your career.
Pursuing patient care technician certification not only shows your competency and commitment to high standards, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, patient care technicians can strengthen their knowledge, grow their professional network, and set themselves up for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer certified candidates, making certification an valuable 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 fully 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 verify whether your certifying agency provides included study tools or if there are additional costs for upgraded content.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT).
Once you have registered for the credentialing exam, take advantage of a broad selection of prep tools to boost your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as comprehensive study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When choosing prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both core concepts and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of simulated practice exams to mirror the real test environment. This approach will help boost your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are invaluable for mirroring 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 final exam, your credentials are hurriedly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your credentials is available in your account. Your digital copy, paired 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 start your medical career in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Training in patient care is a great 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, a rise in senior patients, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand contributes to a strong job outlook, making patient care a secure 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 vary depending on location and experience. With growing opportunities and a brief training period, patient care is a smart way to begin a fulfilling 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 have to renew their CPCT Certification every two years. A Patient Care Technician should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the day their certification expires. This will permit the patient care technician sufficient time to complete their continuing education hours and submit 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 entirely online in the NPS learning management system. The cost to renew your credentials for the following two year time period is $200.00. Renewing ensures your employer that you are dedicated to updating your knowledge in the patient care field.
If your certification becomes inactive, many certifying agencies offer a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific guidelines and cutoff dates to restore your active status.
Click to learn more about Renewing You CPCT Certification.
A Certified Patient Care Technician Instructor (CPCTI) is a highly intelligent patient care technician with more than 5 years of experience in the field. Patient Care Technician Instructors can work 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 Las Cruces, New Mexico 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 finalize 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 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.
