Certified EKG Technician Exam Details You Need to Know

Ready to start your work as a Certified EKG Technician (CET)?

If you just finished up your training, you only have one task left: Take the CET exam.

The CET exam will cover everything you learned during your EKG training program. At this point, you’ll have done plenty of coursework, including experiential learning for hands-on experience.

Exams can be a little nerve-racking, so we gathered details of frequently asked questions to help you feel a little more at ease. Here we offer some insight on the Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam to calm your nerves.

Read on to learn about everything from the CET test length to getting your exam results so you’ll know exactly what to expect.

Prepping to Take the EKG Technician Exam

Anyone going through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) for certification will be evaluated on both stress testing and how to perform Holter. If you’re a MedCerts student, your EKG Technician program covered this in-depth, so you’ll be ready to ace that portion of the exam.

What core knowledge should I know well before the exam?

As an EKG technician, you’ll want a solid understanding of the basic anatomy and physiology of the heart. You’ll also need to know emergencies related to cardiac testing (chest pain, for example), along with CPR and basic life support techniques.

How much does it cost?

The Certified EKG Technician (CET) test is $117 through the National Healthcareer Association. If you’re a MedCerts student, we cover the cost of your exam.

How long is the exam?

You will have 2 hours to finish the exam.

How many questions can I expect?

There are 100 questions, including 20 pretest questions. You’ll be tested on safety, compliance, coordinated patient care, and EKG acquisition, analysis, and interpretation.

How to Schedule Your EKG Technician Exam

Before you schedule your exam, you’ll need to make sure you’re eligible to do so. By doing these steps, you’ll save time and frustration in potentially scheduling an exam you may not be qualified for just yet.

Step 1: Check your eligibility to take the certification exam

You will have had to take an EKG program in the last five years. This includes doing at least 10 EKGs on real people. You must also have a GED or high school diploma before applying for the exam.

Step 2: Set up your National Healthcareer Association (NHA) account

If you’re taking the exam through NHA, you’ll have to set up a profile online. You can do that here.

Step 3: Apply for and set up your exam

You’ll need to select a time and date to take your exam. At this time you’ll also pay any registration fees if you’re not a MedCerts student.

Final step: Study for the exam

Review all your materials before taking the exam. You may find it helpful to purchase extra study guides to prepare.

Getting Your EKG Technician Exam Results

When you take your exam through NHA, you’ll have your results within 2 days of taking the exam. You can find your score online. If you passed, you’ll get your printed certificate by mail in two weeks.

For written exam portions, you’ll get results within two weeks.

If you want to retake the exam, you’ll just need to wait 30 days before applying for a repeat exam opportunity. If you passed with flying colors, congratulations! You’re now well on your way to a new career in healthcare.

Feel free to reach out and request more information about the EKG Technician program on our website or give us a call! We’d love to answer your questions about the EKG Technician Exam!