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.
Training is one way to qualify for certification, but it is not the only option. Depending on your background and the certification you are pursuing, you may also qualify through an employer-based program, military medical training, or relevant work experience. Some certifications may require additional hands-on experience or documentation.
Not sure which pathway applies to you? An NPS Advisor can help you understand your options and next steps.
Eligibility requirements vary by certification. State, employer, and facility requirements may also apply. NPS provides certification testing and credential issuance. NPS does not provide or supervise the independent training programs listed on this page. Certification does not guarantee employment, licensure, or employer acceptance. Read the NPS Candidate Handbook
The first step to your career as a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) is to enroll in a training class. Sheldon, Michigan 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 between 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 Sheldon, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When choosing a patient care training school, it’s important to be careful and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not 100% of them provide the essential training and clinical resources needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs lack clinical hours, which are vital for gaining practical experience drawing blood in a professional lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the eligibility requirements for national certification — even if you complete the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when comparing a program is its approval status and adherence to quality benchmarks. Program accreditation is a quality assurance granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of education, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In patient care, attending an recognized 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 misinterpreted. This document does not make you “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 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 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 regulations, advancements, 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 advisor to double check that the program is legit, contact us today.
Upon successful completion of a patient care training class, you will have 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 successful completion of a patient care training program and is required to sit for the national certification examination for individuals who’ve acquired no experience in the field.
To officially 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 credentialing bodies and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help patient care technicians enhance and advance 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 demonstrates your competency and commitment to quality care, but also supports ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, patient care technicians can enhance their knowledge, expand their professional network, and set themselves up for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer certified candidates, making certification an important step toward becoming a strong applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $225.00 and includes an all-inclusive 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 with flexibility and from the ease of home. Be sure to check whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are separate charges for premium materials.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT).
Once you have registered for the credentialing exam, make use of a broad selection of exam preparation materials to boost your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as thorough study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When evaluating prep tools, look for materials that closely align with 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 challenging topics, and regular use of simulated practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re well prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are invaluable for replicating the real test environment and pinpointing areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer unlimited practice exams, while others require payment 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 credentials is made available in your account. Your digital copy, and your NPS transcripts, should be downloaded and printed for use as proof of certification.
*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.
Now that you’re a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT), you’re ready to begin your medical career in Sheldon, Michigan. Training in patient care is a great starting point into the medical workforce, 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 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 differ depending on region and experience. With expanding job openings and a brief 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 need to renew their CPCT Certification after two years. A Patient Care Technician should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the day their credentials expires. This will allow the patient care technician enough time to complete their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not have to go back to a training program 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 new two year time period is $225.00. 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 a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves finishing any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and covering a reinstatement fee. It’s important to confirm with 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 competent patient care technician with greater 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 information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Sheldon, Michigan should tell their students details about 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 prefer 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.
