Electrocardiogram Technician (EKG) is a Certificate program (Hybrid) offered by Altamont Healthcare in Bakersfield, CA. The program takes 8–12 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $3,450.
Application Process
- 1Submit ApplicationComplete the online application form with your personal information and educational background.Apply Now
- 2Submit TranscriptsProvide official high school transcripts or GED certificate. Some programs may require additional documentation.
- 3Financial AidComplete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal financial aid. Meet with a financial aid advisor to review your options.Complete FAFSA Application
- 4EnrollmentOnce accepted, complete enrollment paperwork, register for classes, and attend orientation.
Program Overview
The Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician course is an accelerated program that prepares students to transition into a healthcare career in under three months. EKG technicians operate electrocardiogram machines while performing various tests on patients, which enable cardiologists to make accurate diagnoses.
An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a machine that detects and records the electrical activity of the heart. EKG technicians conduct tests alongside cardiologists to detect diseases and abnormalities related to the heart. They are responsible for preparing the patient for testing, operating the EKG machine correctly, conducting Holter monitoring and stress testing, and providing accurate results to a cardiologist for analysis.
You do not need any prior education or experience in healthcare to enroll. Altamont Healthcare will provide you with all the background and skills you need to succeed in the program and your career.
What Sets This Program Apart
Our EKG program is the fastest in the area, ranging from 8–12 weeks depending on the schedule you choose, and qualifies you for the NCCT exam in just 100 hours. It is delivered as a blended program of 80 hours of live online classes and 20 hours of in-person labs, with weekday and weekend options.
Every student receives:
- Textbook and uniform
- A comprehensive NCCT exam review with practice questions
- One free BLS certification from Zenith Career Services (ZCS)
- A waived $25 sitting fee for one NCCT exam hosted by ZCS
- Eligibility for Altamont Healthcare's exclusive externship program
- A professionalism, job search, and externship preparation workshop
If you do not pass, you may retake the course as many times as you need at no extra cost.
School Information
Location
Accreditation & Approvals
Altamont Healthcare is a private institution approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Approval to operate means the institution meets the standards set forth in the California Education Code and Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
Altamont Healthcare is a certificate-granting institution and does not award degrees. It is not accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and does not participate in federal Title IV student aid. Its programs meet the standards of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and prepare graduates to sit for nationally recognized certification exams administered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) and the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Program tuition is $3,450, billed separately from the registration fee, books, lab materials, and uniform.
Admission Requirements & Process
To enroll, you must:
- Be at least 18 years or older at the time of enrollment
- Have a valid government-issued photo ID
- Have at least a high-school diploma or GED (college degrees are accepted)
No experience is required. To reserve a spot in the class, complete the online application and pay the non-refundable $250 application fee; applications are not processed until the fee is paid. Once your application has been accepted, you will be emailed your student portal login to complete your enrollment documents.
Program Schedule
The program runs 100 hours over 8–12 weeks in a blended format — 80 hours of live online classes and 20 hours of in-person labs — with day and weekend cohorts available:
- Day class: weekdays, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Weekend class: Friday 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM and Saturday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Our start dates are as follows:
- August 18, 2026 (day)
- October 9, 2026 (weekend)
- December 8, 2026 (day)
Curriculum
The 100-hour curriculum combines 80 hours of live online instruction with 20 hours of in-person labs and covers:
- Operating electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) machines and interpreting results
- Patient preparation and care
- Holter monitoring and stress testing
- A comprehensive NCCT board-exam review
- A professionalism, job search, and externship preparation workshop
Graduates who pass the board exam are eligible for an optional externship of 240–400 hours in a partner medical facility.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Tuition for the EKG program is $3,450. The total program cost, including required fees and materials, is $4,100, with $650 due upon enrollment:
- Registration Fee (non-refundable): $250.00
- Books: $150.00
- Lab Materials: $200.00
- Uniform & PPE: $50.00
- Tuition: $3,450.00
- Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF): $0.00
- Total: $4,100.00
Payment plans (tuition):
- Pay in full and receive a 15% discount ($2,932.50)
- Two installments with a 10% discount ($1,552.50 each)
- Three installments with a 5% discount ($1,092.50 each)
Financing and third-party funding: Altamont Healthcare partners with Climb Credit for student loans (36-month terms for EKG; interest rates range from 7.99%–20.45%). The school also accepts funding from the California Department of Rehabilitation, the California Employment Development Department, the U.S. Department of Labor (WIOA), and the Workers' Compensation Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher Program. Altamont Healthcare does not accept FAFSA or GI Bill benefits and does not participate in federal Title IV aid. A $20 late fee applies to payments more than seven days past due.
Career Outcomes
EKG technicians work in a team-oriented environment alongside patients, nurses, doctors, and other medical staff, with job stability and opportunities for career advancement. The average pay for EKG technicians in California is $60,320 per year (about $29 per hour); entry-level roles start near $50,000 and top earners bring home upwards of $75,000 per year.
The program prepares you to take the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) certification exam, which is accepted in the United States and valid for five years. Altamont Healthcare is not required to assist with job placement, but its Externship Team researches opportunities weekly to help connect graduates with employers.
What to Expect as an Altamont Healthcare Student
Altamont Healthcare uses a blended-learning approach — classes are split 80/20 between online lectures delivered via Zoom and hands-on, in-person labs. Programs are built on four values:
- Comprehensiveness — programs build your knowledge from the ground up for the rigor of the healthcare industry.
- Growth — experienced professional instructors guide you toward peak performance.
- Community — a commitment to increasing the number of healthcare workers in the area.
- Accessibility — the opportunity to work in healthcare regardless of time constraints or income.
Completing the program prepares you for the certification exam; certification is awarded upon passing the exam, not upon course completion. If you do not pass, you may retake the course at no additional cost. Under FERPA, Altamont Healthcare cannot share your progress with family members or funders without your explicit consent.
Career Outcomes
Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCCT certification exam (valid 5 years, nationwide) and work alongside cardiologists performing EKG testing (California average ~$60,320/yr).
School Information
Location
Accreditation & Approvals
Altamont Healthcare is a private institution approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Approval to operate means the institution meets the standards set forth in the California Education Code and Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
Altamont Healthcare is a certificate-granting institution and does not award degrees. It is not accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and does not participate in federal Title IV student aid. Its programs meet the standards of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and prepare graduates to sit for nationally recognized certification exams administered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) and the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Program tuition is $3,450, billed separately from the registration fee, books, lab materials, and uniform.