Trade Schools
Learning how to perform EKGs can be the first step towards a rewarding career in the healthcare field.
The skills needed for this profession can be learned at many community colleges and technical schools, both in-person and online.
To help you choose the format and the provider that best meets your learning style and career aspirations, on this page we have compiled information about the best EKG technician schools in North Carolina.
During their training, EKG technician students learn how to complete tasks such as:
- Evaluating a patient and explaining the procedures
- Verifying patients identity
- Performing EKGs
- Performing point-of-care testing
- Preparing test results for the doctor
Costs range from a little over $100 to $2000, depending on the program, the skills included in the curriculum, its duration, and the school that provides the training.
We invite you to read our selection and choose the program that best fits your budget and learning style.
1Wake Tech
About the School
Wake Tech offers hundreds of programs in 13 career fields.
The programs are designed to meet students’ interests.
The college has nine campuses and locations.
Courses Offered
The EKG Technician program at Wake Tech prepares students to become certified EKG technicians.
Students learn the anatomy and physiology of the heart, including the electrical conduction system and how it affects heart function.
The course also covers:
- The cardiac cycle
- Common artifacts
- Cardiac terminology
Students learn how to prepare patients, properly place leads, and mount and run an EKG strip correctly.
The program prepares students for the Certified EKG Technician Exam through the National Healthcareer Association.
Learners can graduate in three months or less.
Contact Information
- Address: 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC 27603 (Mailing Address)
- Phone: 919-866-5000
- Website: https://www.waketech.edu
2North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
About the School
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University offers an EKG Technician certification course that is available online.
The program takes between two and four months to complete.
This curriculum covers topics and processes critical to conducting and interpreting electrocardiograms.
The program starts with a review of the anatomy and physiology of the heart.
Learners then explore the technology used and how to interpret a rhythm strip.
Finally, students discover the details of a myocardial infarction.
Students need a high school diploma or GED.
This program costs $1,299.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes the following skills:
- How to apply the basic electrophysiologic principles of cardiac conduction
- Identify proper placement of leads
- Analyze a variety of EKG rhythm strips
- Describe the functions, associated terminology, types, and rhythm strips of pacemakers
- Explain how to interpret a 12-lead EKG strip
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411
- Phone: 888.574.6218
- Website: https://ncat.edu2.com
3University of North Carolina Pembroke
About the School
University of North Carolina Pembroke offers a Certified EKG Technician program.
This asynchronous course trains students to work as EKG techs and prepares them for the National Healthcareer Association nationally recognized Certified EKG Technician certification exam.
Courses Offered
EKG Technician students learn:
- Concepts of cardiac anatomy and physiology, infection control, and standard precautions
- Proper machine protocols and maintenance
- Electrocardiography interpretation of various types of EKGs
- Proper communication methods within clinical scenarios
- The theoretical knowledge of an EKG Technician
Students become prepared to take the CET certification from NHA and are prepared with a voucher after completing the course.
This 170-hour course program costs $1,995.
Students have 12 months to complete the program.
Contact Information
- Address: 115 Livermore Drive, P.O. Box 1510, Pembroke, NC 28372
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.uncp.edu/training-programs/certified-ekg-technician-voucher
4Carolina School of Phlebotomy
About the School
Carolina School of Phlebotomy offers a six-week EKG technician program.
The program is available on-site and is designed for a beginner level.
Courses Offered
The EKG Technician curriculum equips students with knowledge and skills about:
- Cardiac Anatomy
- Cardiac Physiology
- Electrical Conduction in the Heart
- 12-Lead EKG Administration
- Identification and Interpretation of EKG Tracings
- Holter and Telemetry Monitoring
- Patient Care and Advising
The program was developed by a physician and covers the knowledge behind the science of the heart in addition to the technical expertise of performing diagnostics.
The program admission requirements include:
- Being 18 years of age or older
- Holding a high school diploma, GED, or International High School Diploma Equivalency
Tuition for this program is $500.
The registration fee is $50.
The laboratory fee is $150 while books and supplies cost $100.
Those interested can register online.
Contact Information
- Address: 322 Lamar Ave, Suite 301, Charlotte, NC 28204
- Phone: (704) 879-1541
- Website: https://www.carolinaphleb.com
5American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians
About the School
The American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians offers EKG Technician Training programs at many locations in the United States, including Raleigh, North Carolina.
According to its website, the American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians provides the most cost-effective, user-friendly certification experience available.
The school provides its students with access to a highly qualified national certification, and competency-based programs designed to be completed at their own pace.
Courses Offered
This EKG Technician program is comprised of 40 to 80 class hours and 20 to 40 hours of clinical training.
Classes typically have between 10 and 30 students.
To qualify for enrollment, prospective students need:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Be over the age of 18
- Have a clean background check
- Provide a negative Hepatitis test
- Provide a negative TB test
- Immunization records
Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion.
The program focuses on teaching students how to complete the following tasks:
- Evaluating a patient and explaining procedures
- Verifying patients identity
- Performing EKGs
- Performing point-of-care testing
- Preparing test results for the doctor
- Maintaining the area and equipment.
The program prepares students for certification exams.
Contact Information
- Address: 1717 Pennsylvania Avenue Suite 1025, Washington D.C. 20006
- Phone: (888) 797-9354
- Website: https://ekgcert.org/ekg-certification-raleigh-north-carolina
6Guilford Technical Community College
About the School
Guilford Technical Community College offers an EKG Technician Training Program that prepares students with the skills to operate specialized medical equipment to help physicians diagnose cardiac conditions.
Students can complete the program offered at Guilford Technical Community College in just under two months.
The program includes 96 clock hours.
The training covers cardiac anatomy and physiology, heart disease, pacemakers, medical terminology, and ethics.
Students also gain practical training in the operation and maintenance of EKG equipment and practice using 12-lead electrodes and interpreting EKG strips.
The registration fee for this course is $188.
The required textbook costs $111.77 including tax and must be purchased from the Greensboro campus bookstore before class.
Contact Information
- Address: 601 E. Main Street P.O. Box 309 Jamestown, NC 27282
- Phone: 336.334.4822
- Website: https://www.gtcc.edu
7Durham Tech
About the School
Among many other career training programs, Durham Tech offers an EKG Technician and Monitoring continuing education program.
This short-term program is designed to prepare and train students to function as EKG technicians.
Students become familiar with EKG terminology, cardiac cycles, electrical conduction systems and how it affects the heart function, anatomy and physiology of the heart, operating EKG equipment, and other related skills.
After completing this program students are eligible to sit for the National Healthcareer Association exam to become a certified EKG technician.
Students need a high school diploma or high school equivalency.
Contact Information
- Address: 1637 East Lawson Street, Durham, NC 27703
- Phone: 919-536-7200
- Website: https://www.durhamtech.edu
8Chosen Health Care
About the School
Chosen Health Care offers an EKG Technician course designed to give students an understanding of the basic anatomy of the heart as well as its basic functions.
By attending the 60 hours of training students become able to effectively read an EKG.
The course is designed to be completed in four weeks.
After completing the program, students are eligible to take the NHA exam at the institute or at the PSI testing center.
Students must be 18 years of age or older at the time of enrollment.
This class can be completed in four weeks.
The program costs $550.
The textbook costs $100.
The program includes 50 class hours and 10 lab hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 8401 University Executive Park Dr., Suite 111
- Phone: 704-547-1988
- Website: http://www.chosenhealthcareinstitute.com
9Vance-Granville Community College
About the School
Vance-Granville Community College has campus locations in Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties.
The college offers programs leading to degrees, diplomas, and certificates, while also supporting workforce training, high school programs, and personal enrichment.
Courses Offered
The college offers a Cardiovascular (EKG) Technician program.
The course is designed and approved to prepare students to become certified EKG Technician/Monitor.
Among other topics, the curriculum covers the anatomy and physiology of the heart, principles of EKG, heart blocks and bundle branches, and ventricular ectopy rhythms.
The list of skills learned by students includes operating EKG equipment, running, and mounting strips, as well as reading and interpreting 22 types of cardiac lead tracings.
After completing their training, students can earn the National EKG Technician Certification.
Students need a high school diploma or equivalent
The program costs $180 plus fees and textbooks.
Contact Information
- Address: 200 Community College Road, Henderson, NC 27537
- Phone: (252) 492-2061
- Website: https://www.vgcc.edu
10Cumberland Nursing Academy
About the School
Located in Fayetteville, Cumberland Nursing Academy offers Nurse Aide, Phlebotomy, Medication Aide, EKG, and CPR classes.
The academy focuses on training students to become qualified healthcare professionals.
Courses Offered
The EKG hybrid course at Cumberland Nursing Academy can be completed in four weeks.
Students attend classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Course tuition is $350.
The registration fee is $100.
Tuition fees include a required textbook.
The school is located in the Eutaw Village Professional Center.
Contact Information
- Address: 823 Elm Street, Suite 260 Fayetteville, NC 28303
- Phone: 910-229-3242
- Website: https://cumberlandnursingacademy.org
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 290 | $58,440 | $28.1 | $94,390 | $31,690 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 80 | $31,970 | $15.37 | $54,370 | $24,600 |
| Greenville, NC | 80 | $66,460 | $31.95 | $82,250 | $35,010 |
| Wilmington, NC | 70 | $58,690 | $28.22 | $94,360 | $35,580 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 140 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of some of the best training options available to North Carolina residents who wish to become EKG Technicians, the next step is to continue with your own research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style, budget, and career aspirations.
Take your time and make sure you gather information about all the relevant factors before making your choice.
