EKG Technician is a Certificate program (100% Online) offered by U.S. Career Institute in Fort Collins, CO. The program takes 273 clock hours to complete, with a total tuition of $1,279.
Program Overview
U.S. Career Institute’s self-paced, online EKG program prepares you for certification (CET) and an entry-level role as an EKG Technician in as little as 4 months.
U.S. Career Institute’s online EKG Technician training program will teach you everything you need to know to start this exciting new career. Graduates of this course will be trained in the theoretical instruction and practical skills that prepare them to gain entry-level EKG Technician positions in a variety of medical settings, such as hospitals, physician’s offices or ambulatory care centers performing diagnostic tests that help providers identify cardiovascular problems in patients. Your online certificate course will prepare you with a fundamental understanding of anatomy, medical terminology, insurance and medical records. Upon completion of the course, students will be trained to prepare patients for Holter or ambulatory monitoring, edit and deliver final test results to physicians for analysis, obtain/record/monitor and report vital signs, understand electronic records using cloud-based software, and adhere to ethical standards for healthcare professionals.
What sets this Program apart
- 5-day money-back commitment
- DEAC Accredited
- 100% online, self-paced on phone or computer
- Complete in 4–6 months, part-time
- One-on-one career coaching & instructor support
- Start learning today - no waiting period
- A+ BBB Rating, 45 years in distance education, and 97% of students would recommend U.S. Career Institute to a friend.
- The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.
Lead instructor/course expert. Ricky Sparks is a Perfusion & ECMO Specialist in the Cardiovascular Operating Room at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, NE. Ricky began his healthcare career as an EKG Technician during his undergraduate studies in Lincoln, NE, and has over 10 years of experience as the Lead Non-Invasive Cardiac Technician at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, as well as Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, NE. Ricky holds active certifications as a Certified EKG Technician (CET), Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT), Certified ECMO Specialist & Certified Perioperative Blood Management/Perfusion Specialist (CPBMT). Ricky really enjoys the Cardiovascular System and teaching EKG & Cardiac Rhythm courses. Ricky also teaches in-person EKG Technician courses at the local community college, in Omaha.
Admission Requirements and Process
To qualify for enrollment in the EKG Technician Program, an applicant must:
- Certify that she/he is a high school graduate, holds a state-approved Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) or its equivalent, or has completed college-level coursework; or otherwise demonstrate the ability to perform postsecondary-level coursework (including test evidence).
- Submit a completed enrollment application with the required payment.
- Be at least 16 years of age.
IMPORTANT! The EKG Technician program is offered fully online and does not include the live skills practice (experience) opportunities required to obtain certification as an EKG Technician, which most employers require. Students are responsible for researching certification and/or licensure requirements and securing appropriate experience opportunities.
U.S. Career Institute is an open enrollment school: as long as the applicant meets the admissions requirements for minimum education and age, they will be accepted into the school. Students must be able to read, write and speak English fluently. Students aged 16 and 17 may be admitted provided their parent or guardian signs the enrollment agreement; students under the age of 16 cannot be admitted. Applicants who do not meet the high school diploma or equivalent requirement are allowed to use test evidence to show they can benefit from the program: the first five grades the student receives serve as the basis for test evidence, and a “C” GPA meets the minimum education requirement. Most professional certification agencies have minimum age requirements (typically 18) to sit for a certification exam.
General Requirements
- Minimum ageYou must be at least 16 years old; students aged 16 and 17 need a parent or guardian to sign the enrollment agreement.
- High school diploma or GEDYou need a high school diploma or GED, or college-level coursework; otherwise you may use test evidence to show you can benefit from the program.
- EnglishYou must be able to read, write and speak English fluently.
- Basic informationThe enrollment form asks for your name, email, phone, date of birth and education level.
- Enrollment agreementYou must submit a completed enrollment application or agreement with the required payment.
Application Process
- 1Ask your questionsRequest information online or call U.S. Career Institute toll-free at 866-250-6851 to learn more.
- 2Provide basic informationThe form asks for your name, email, phone, date of birth and education level.
- 3Pay for your tuitionYou can pay in full or choose the monthly payment plan.
- 4Sign the enrollment agreement and disclosuresEnrollment takes about 5 minutes; the school accepts enrollments 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- 5Start your first lessonUpon enrollment, students have immediate access to their program online, with 12 months to complete it.
Program Schedule
The EKG Technician program is 273 clock hours, delivered in 20 lessons with 20 quizzes. Students can complete it in 4-6 months, studying part-time. Classes are 100% online and self-paced, on your phone or computer, with no due dates or deadlines.
The program is designed for guided independent study through distance learning, and is self-paced. Each program is designed to be completed in 12 months or less; the student has 12 months after enrollment to complete the program, and a student who needs more time should follow the leave of absence procedure. The school accepts enrollments 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and upon enrollment students have immediate access to their program online. All quizzes are open book.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
U.S. Career Institute is committed to making your EKG Tech education affordable. Start a new career that you’ll love and find fulfilling without a mountain of debt!
- Option 1, pay in full: $979 (save $300); the application charge is waived.
- Option 2, monthly auto payments: $1,279 in total at $69 a month, with a first payment of $69, plus a one-time $29 application charge.
First payment includes $40 down payment and $29 application charge. Application charge is non-refundable.
5-day money-back commitment. After you receive your first lesson, you have 5 full days to decide if our program is the best route for you.
Funding. U.S. Career Institute participates in military education benefit programs and the MyCAA spouse support tuition program; specific questions regarding eligibility should be directed to the Veterans Administration by calling 1-888-GIBILL1. U.S. Career Institute also participates in various employer-paid and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. U.S. Career Institute does not participate in other financial aid programs.
All enrollments are assessed a one-time $29 application charge (2026 catalog price list). Students who wish to purchase textbooks or manuals may do so for an additional charge.
Required Courses
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Career Outcomes
U.S. Career Institute’s online EKG Technician training program has been designed to prepare graduates to take the Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Your CET exam fee is included in your tuition - up to a $223 value.
This program is offered fully online and does not include the live skills practice (experience) opportunities required to obtain certification as an EKG Technician. Most employers require certification and lack of certification will impact your employment opportunities and earnings. Students are responsible for researching certification and/or licensure requirements and for securing appropriate experience opportunities. Graduates may sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam via the NHA’s Pre-Externship Route; however, graduates will need hands-on experience completing a minimum of 10 EKGs on live individuals, following completion of the program, to receive certification. This experience is not included in the program. Graduates must complete this experience within 90 days of passing the CET exam and are responsible for securing their own experience site. Students must contact local clinics, hospitals or doctor’s offices to seek out live experience opportunities. Start an exciting and satisfying career working at doctor’s offices, hospitals, medical diagnostic labs, and outpatient care centers and become a vital part of the medical team. EKG Technicians assist physicians and doctors in diagnosing potential diseases, heart conditions, and irregularities, which can save a multitude of lives every year.
What to expect as a U.S. Career Institute student
Beginner-Friendly Lessons. Classes are designed for anyone to easily learn, and are broken up into digestible sections that build as you progress through our program. No due dates or deadlines.
Engaging Curriculum. Reading lessons, supplemental videos, interactive exercises, note taking, read-aloud and disability features, and open note multiple choice quizzes with no time limit.
Hands-On Supplemental Learning. All students receive a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff to assist you throughout the course.
Student support and coaching. Your tuition includes access to instructors via phone and email, student services, tutoring, resume and job interview support, and one-on-one career coaching (a $400 value).
Learning materials included. Your tuition includes e-books, study guides, supplemental videos, and interactive exercises. Hard copy books are also available for under $50. Everything is included - no hidden fees after enrollment.
Grading and graduation. To graduate, students must submit all quizzes, attain a final average of 70% or higher, have a signed enrollment agreement on file and have paid tuition in full; U.S. Career Institute then releases the Certificate of Completion. Students with a grade point average of 93 or higher are awarded a seat on the Dean’s List.
Graduate support. U.S. Career Institute provides continuing employment instruction and advice, including training in job-search techniques, résumé and letter writing, interviewing and presentation skills, available to all graduates whenever they request it. The school cannot promise or guarantee employment and does not provide job placement services.
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
U.S. Career Institute is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. It is approved and regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board.
Curriculum
The EKG Technician program totals 273 clock hours, taught in 4 instruction packs, listed below as the course outline.
Graduates of this program will be trained in the theoretical instruction and practical skills that prepare them to gain entry-level EKG Technician positions in a variety of medical settings, such as hospitals, physician’s offices or ambulatory care centers performing diagnostic tests that help providers identify cardiovascular problems in patients. Upon completion of this program, graduates will be trained to:
- Build a fundamental understanding of anatomy, medical terminology, insurance and medical records as they apply to your future career, including the use of cloud-based practice management software.
- Adhere to ethical standards and guidelines for healthcare professionals.
- Discuss the modes of communication, the process of active listening and the importance of using professional communication.
- Learn to deal with human behavior and adapt care for patients with limitations.
- Respond appropriately to medical emergencies and other common medical conditions in the medical office.
- Obtain, record, monitor and report vital signs.
- Set up, administer and monitor electrocardiograms and stress tests, and prepare patients for Holter or ambulatory monitoring.
Required Courses
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Frequently Asked Questions
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