How to Become an EKG Technician in 2026: Training to CET
The full route to working as a EKG technician, in order: program, NHA CET exam, state licence and renewal, with timings and what each step costs you.
- $74,310Median pay
- +4%Job growth
- Generally completed in under a year (BLS)Training
- NHA CETExam
- $134Exam fee
Table of Contents
The route, start to finish
Becoming a EKG technician is a fixed sequence: an approved program, the NHA CET exam, then whatever your state requires on top. Here is every stop in order, with realistic timings.
- 1
Finish high school or a GED
PrerequisiteNHA requires a high school diploma or equivalent for full certification. BLS notes that entry-level EKG jobs may require only a high school diploma.
- 2
Complete an EKG technician program
Generally under 1 year (BLS)Take a certificate program that covers cardiac anatomy, lead placement, rhythm interpretation, stress testing, and Holter monitoring.
- 3
Perform at least 10 live EKGs
During the program's hands-on portionDocument at least 10 EKGs on live individuals, a requirement under both the training and work-experience routes.
- 4
Get BLS/CPR certified
BLS notes that EKG technicians need Basic Life Support or CPR certification, and the CET test plan tests CPR/BLS response to cardiac emergencies.
- 5
Register and pass the NHA CET
2-hour examRegister through NHA ($134 individual list price) and test at your school, a PSI center, or by live remote proctoring. You need a scaled score of 390 on 120 questions (100 scored) in 2 hours.
- 6
Renew every two years
Every 2 yearsComplete 10 NHA continuing education credits per cycle and pay the $195 two-year renewal fee.
Step one: the right program
The program is the one step you cannot shortcut. The exam body checks where you trained before it lets you sit, so an unaccredited course can cost you the whole route.
Accreditation: NHA does not name a single accreditor; the program must be offered by an accredited or state-recognized institution or provider.
Typical length: Generally completed in under a year (BLS)
Who is eligible to sit the exam
| Route | What you need |
|---|---|
| Training program | High school diploma or GED/equivalent, plus completion of an EKG technician training or education program within the last 5 years (accredited or state-recognized program, registered apprenticeship, military medical training, or verified employer program), plus evidence of at least 10 EKGs performed on live individuals. |
| Work experience | High school diploma or GED/equivalent, plus 1 year of supervised EKG technician work experience within the last 3 years or 2 years within the last 5 years, plus evidence of at least 10 EKGs performed on live individuals. |
The exam itself
This is the checkpoint the whole route builds towards. The essentials:
Questions: 120 (100 scored)
Time: 120 minutes
Where you test: At your school/training institution, at a PSI testing center, or via live remote proctoring (LRP)
Passing standard: Scaled score method; scaled scores range from 200 to 500 and a scaled score of 390 or higher is required to pass (NHA Candidate Handbook, updated 06/01/2026)
Fee: $134
We broke the exam down domain by domain, with the weight of each and what its questions ask, in the NHA CET content outline.
Licensure: what your state adds
NHA's CET is a voluntary national certification, not a state license, and NHA states that certification is separate from any state practice requirements. The official sources reviewed (NHA, BLS) do not identify any state license specific to EKG technicians; certification is mainly an employer hiring requirement. Candidates should still check with their state's health department.
Pay and job outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics files EKG technicians under “Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians (SOC 29-2031); closest BLS category, which also includes higher-paid sonographers and invasive cardiovascular technologists”. Median means half earn more and half less; pay moves a long way with state, setting and experience, so read this as a benchmark, not an offer.
Keeping the credential
Requirement: 10 continuing education credits per two-year cycle (2 hours of attendance = 1 CE credit). NHA allows a one-month grace period. Reinstatement within 1 year of expiration requires 15 CE credits. After 1 year, you must retake the exam.
Fee: $195 every two years (NHA advertises it as about $8 per month). Reinstatement costs $391.50 total ($292.50 renewal + $99 reinstatement fee).
The exam is the step most people underprepare for
ExamCert AI has 650 NHA CET practice questions with explanations, built around the same outline this page walks through. Work them by domain, find the weak area, and fix it before test day.
Practise NHA CET on ExamCert AINHA CET EKG Exam Content Outline 2026FAQ
How long does it take to become an EKG technician?
BLS says certificate programs for EKG technicians are generally completed in under a year. After training, you need at least 10 live EKGs documented and a passing score on the 2-hour NHA CET exam.
Do you need a license to be an EKG technician?
The official sources reviewed do not show a state license specific to EKG technicians. Employers commonly look for a national certification such as the NHA CET, plus BLS/CPR certification. Always confirm with your state's health department.
Can I qualify for the CET without a training program?
Yes. NHA accepts 1 year of supervised EKG work experience in the last 3 years, or 2 years in the last 5 years, instead of a training program. You still need a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 10 EKGs on live individuals.
How much do EKG technicians earn?
BLS does not report EKG technicians separately. The closest category, cardiovascular technologists and technicians, had a median wage of $74,310 in May 2025, with 4% projected growth from 2025 to 2035. That group includes more specialized, higher-paid roles, so entry-level EKG tech pay is typically lower.
Sources
Figures on this page come from NHA and the other primary sources below:
- NHA CET Test Plan (based on 2017 job analysis)
- NHA - EKG Technician certification page
- NHA - Updated CET Certification Exam & Study Materials Coming in 2027/28 (Sept 2026)
- NHA Candidate Handbook (updated 06/01/2026)
- NHA Store - CET Exam Application ($134)
- NHA - Renew/Reinstate Certification
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Checked September 25, 2026. Fees, outlines and eligibility rules change — confirm with NHA before you book.