How to Become an EKG Technician: Training, Certification and Pay
By the OQMPS team ·
EKG technicians record the heart’s electrical activity so a physician can read it. It can be a quick way into healthcare: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says EKG technicians “may qualify for entry-level jobs with a high school diploma or the equivalent,” and that certificate programs for them “are generally completed in under a year.”
This guide covers what the job involves, the steps to get there, the certifications employers look for, how long it takes, and what training costs.
The short answer. To become an EKG technician:
- Finish high school or earn a GED.
- Complete an EKG technician training program.
- Perform at least 10 EKGs on live patients, which the NHA’s certification asks you to document.
- Pass a certification exam, such as the NHA’s Certified EKG Technician (CET).
- Apply for jobs, and renew your certification every two years.
What does an EKG technician do?
An electrocardiogram (EKG, or ECG) records the electrical signals that make the heart beat. In the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ words, “EKG machines monitor the heart’s performance through electrodes attached to a patient’s chest, arms, and legs,” and tests can record the heart “while the patient is at rest or is physically active, such as walking on a treadmill.”
A typical EKG, start to finish:
- Prepare the patient. Explain the test, position them, and prepare the skin so the electrodes make good contact.
- Place the leads. Put each electrode in its correct position for a standard 12-lead tracing.
- Get a clean tracing. Recognize problems such as artifact and loose leads, and fix them before the tracing goes out.
- Document it. Label the tracing, record the patient’s information, and get a complete report into the chart for the physician.
Reading the EKG and making a diagnosis is the physician’s job. The technician’s job is a tracing accurate enough to read.
Most work in healthcare settings: across cardiovascular technologists and technicians as a whole, the group the Bureau counts EKG technicians in, 77% work in hospitals.
EKG or ECG? They are the same test. ECG is short for electrocardiogram; EKG comes from the German spelling, Elektrokardiogramm, and is widely used in the United States.
How to become an EKG technician, step by step
1. Meet the basic requirements
A high school diploma or GED is the usual starting point. It is what the Bureau of Labor Statistics gives for entry-level EKG jobs, and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) lists it among the requirements for its EKG certification. You do not need medical experience to start: the OQMPS EKG course, for one, asks for none.
2. Complete an EKG training program
Programs range from short, hands-on courses to longer certificates at community colleges. Whichever you choose, it should cover how the heart works and produces its electrical signal, lead placement, running the machine safely, telling artifact apart from a real rhythm, calculating heart rate, and the basics of reading rhythm strips.
3. Practice on real people
Lead placement is a hands-on skill, and certification expects real practice. For its certification, the NHA asks you to “provide evidence that you have successfully performed a minimum of ten (10) EKGs on live individuals.” Look for a class where you run EKGs on each other; at OQMPS, students practice up to 20 live EKGs in class.
4. Pass a certification exam
Certification is how employers know you can do the job. The options are covered below.
5. Apply, and keep your certification current
Hospitals, cardiology practices and clinics all run EKGs. Once you are certified, plan for renewal: the NHA’s certification is renewed every two years, with 10 continuing education credits.
Which EKG certification should you get?
No law requires certification everywhere, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that “employers may require or prefer that these workers earn professional certification.” Two credentials to know:
| Credential | Offered by | What it asks of you |
|---|---|---|
| Certified EKG Technician (CET) | National Healthcareer Association (NHA) | A high school diploma or GED; an EKG training program finished in the last 5 years, or 1 year of supervised EKG work in the last 3 years (2 years in the last 5); at least 10 EKGs on live individuals; a two-hour exam. Renewed every 2 years with 10 CE credits. |
| Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) | Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) | A certificate-level credential for cardiographic technicians. Check CCI’s applicant handbook for its current eligibility routes. |
Exam fees change, and third-party sites quote different figures, so check the current price on the NHA’s CET page or with CCI before you budget for it.
Do you need a state license?
There is no national license for EKG technicians. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that “some cardiovascular technologists and technicians need a state-issued license,” so check with your state’s health department before you start working.
Washington is a useful example. There, the Department of Health credentials medical assistants, and both its Medical Assistant-Phlebotomist and Medical Assistant-Certified credentials include performing EKGs, alongside drawing blood. If you plan to work in Washington, read the Washington certification guide first.
How long does it take to become an EKG technician?
Anywhere from a few weeks to under a year, depending on the program. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says certificate programs for EKG technicians “are generally completed in under a year.”
The OQMPS EKG course is a single day in class: 4 or 8 hours, depending on the campus. After that, the time to certification depends on how soon you book your exam.
How much does EKG training cost?
Prices vary widely between schools, so compare what is included: the exam fee, supplies, and how much hands-on practice you get.
At OQMPS the in-person EKG course is $343 to $443 all in, depending on the campus. That includes the $45 national exam fee. A $100 deposit holds your seat, and everything you pay is fully refundable if you ask within 3 business days of registering.
| Campus | Class | Total, exam fee included |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, Arizona | 1 day, 4 hours | $443 |
| Beaverton, Oregon | 1 day, 4 hours | $443 |
| Houston, Texas | 1 day, 8 hours | $443 |
| Bedford, Texas | 1 day, 4 hours | $443 |
| Murray, Utah | 1 day, 4 hours | $343 |
| Orem, Utah | 1 day, 4 hours | $343 |
| Federal Way, Washington | 1 day, 4 hours | $443 |
Want to spread the cost? OQMPS offers financing through PayPal’s Pay Later; see ways to pay.
How much do EKG technicians make?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish a separate figure for EKG technicians. It counts them with cardiovascular technologists and technicians, who earned a median of $74,310 a year in May 2025, with employment projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035 and about 3,400 openings a year.
Read that figure with care. The group includes technologists in specialized roles who typically need an associate’s degree, so it likely overstates what an entry-level EKG job pays. Local postings are the best guide to starting pay where you live.
EKG also pairs naturally with phlebotomy. In Washington, for example, the same medical assistant credentials cover both, and OQMPS teaches phlebotomy, IV and EKG at the same campuses.
Train with OQMPS
One-day, hands-on EKG classes in Arizona, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington, with the national exam fee included. Pick a state to see campuses and upcoming dates.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become an EKG technician?
From a few weeks to under a year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says certificate programs for EKG technicians are generally completed in under a year. The OQMPS EKG course is one day in class (4 or 8 hours, depending on the campus); after that, it depends on when you take your certification exam.
Do you need a degree to be an EKG technician?
No. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, EKG technicians may qualify for entry-level jobs with a high school diploma or the equivalent. Some specialized cardiovascular technologist roles do require an associate's degree.
Is EKG certification required?
There is no national requirement, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that employers may require or prefer professional certification. A widely used one is the National Healthcareer Association's Certified EKG Technician (CET).
Can you become an EKG technician online?
Not entirely. The NHA's CET certification asks you to show that you have performed at least 10 EKGs on live individuals, so you need hands-on practice. The OQMPS EKG course is taught in person.
What is the difference between an EKG and an ECG?
Nothing: they are the same test, an electrocardiogram. EKG comes from the German spelling, Elektrokardiogramm, and is widely used in the United States.
How much does the OQMPS EKG course cost?
$343 to $443 in all, depending on the campus, including the $45 national exam fee. A $100 deposit holds your seat, and everything you pay is fully refundable if you ask within 3 business days of registering.