EKG, or electrocardiogram, technicians are critical to clinical care as they help patients with potential cardiac issues.
Their daily responsibilities include finding basic rhythm abnormalities for clinicians to review, preparing patients, operating monitoring equipment, and acquiring diagnostic cardiac tracings.
Despite the importance of these professionals, regulatory requirements are mixed, with no federal standard available.
This means each state approaches the position from a different angle, with most only requiring employer training mandates.
To learn more about the state you wish to work in, keep reading!
States Requiring an EKG Technician License
At this time, there are no federal or state licensure requirements to start working.
Most states rely on employer requirements.
States That Do Not Require Licensure but Mandate Certification or Training
Washington
Although the Washington State Department of Health does not require licensure, it does require registration following an EKG training program.
Since the training program is required by the State, employers only seek national certification when reviewing candidates for a position.
States With No License Requirement but Have Employer-Based Standards
Alabama
The Alabama Board of Nursing does not require EKG technicians to hold a license or certification.
However, state employers want candidates who have completed a training program and hold a national certification like the Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) or Certified Electrocardiogram Technician (CET), which requires passing an exam.
Alaska
The Alaska Board of Nursing does not require EKG technicians to hold a license, certification, or training to work in the State.
Instead, they rely on employer requirements, which typically include a national certification.
Arizona
The Arizona Board of Nursing has no state license, training, or certification requirements to enter the workforce.
However, employers want candidates who have completed a training program and hold a national certification.
Arkansas
Arkansas does not have a state license, certification, or training requirements.
Some employers want national certification, others want candidates who have completed a training program, while others provide in-house training.
California
The California Board of Registered Nursing does not mandate a statewide license, certification, or training requirement.
Large healthcare systems require facility credentialing and national certification, like the CCT or CET.
Colorado
There is no state license requirement for EKG techs mandated by the Colorado Board of Nursing to work in the State.
Most employers want candidates with national certifications and certificate training, so they are prepared for an entry-level position in the field.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Department of Public Health does not have any licensure or certification requirements for incoming EKG technicians.
While employers set individual hiring standards, most want candidates who have completed a training program and who hold certification.
Delaware
Delaware also does not have a state license, training, or certification requirement and relies on employer standards.
The Delaware Division of Public Health recommends that applicants complete a training program that prepares them for a national certification exam.
Florida
The Florida Board of Nursing does not mandate any type of licensure or certification.
Most Florida-based employers want applicants with documented clinical practice, mostly through training programs, and a national certification.
Georgia
The Georgia Department of Health does not require a license, certification, or training.
Most employers in the state want certification and training from their applicants.
Hawaii
Hawaii is another state with no licensure or certification requirements from the Department of Health.
EKG techs are urged to meet the standard employer requirement of national certification and completion of a training program.
Idaho
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare does not have state training, certification, and licensure requirements to enter the workforce.
Most employers expect clinical competency and certification, both of which can be acquired from a State-approved training program.
Illinois
The Illinois Department of Public Health does not dictate that EKG technicians must hold a license.
Instead, the State relies on employer-required standards, most of which include certification, specific competencies, and an accredited training program.
Indiana
Indiana also does not require state licensure or certification, according to the State Department of Health.
However, employers want candidates who have completed a training program that includes classroom and clinical hours, and a national certification.
Iowa
The Iowa Department of Public Health follows suit with no requirements for new EKG technicians.
The State also relies on employers to dictate individual standards, most of which require national certification and a successful, accredited training program.
Kansas
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment does not require licensure or certification, but employers in the State want candidates who hold a national certification.
This gives them the confidence to hire specific applicants who have taken the time to complete a training program and pass an examination.
Kentucky
The Kentucky Board of Nursing does not require certification or licensure.
Employers have individual credential expectations from applicants that range from on-the-job training to completion of a training program and national certification.
Larger and more chaotic facilities, like hospitals, typically want the latter.
Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Health does not mandate training, certification, or licensure to kickstart your career.
However, statewide employers want candidates who hold a national certification, complete a training program, or both.
Maine
The Maine CDC does not have a state license or certification for EKG technicians.
Instead, employers set the standard of a completed training program and national certification.
Maryland
The Maryland Department of Health does not require new EKG technicians to hold a license, certification, or complete a training program.
However, most employers want to see the CET or CCT designation on candidates’ resumes.
This is typically achieved by completing a training program that leads to certification.
Massachusetts
Although the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has no licensure or certification requirements, employers in the State want national certification and a certificate from an approved training program.
Since Massachusetts is one of the States with the most schools, there are plenty of opportunities to find a training program that fits your time and budget.
Michigan
No state license is required for EKG technicians according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Instead, employers set the standards of documented training program completion accompanied by a national certification.
Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Health does not have any requirements for those who want to become EKG technicians.
Most employers across the State want national certification and a training program with clinical and classroom hours.
Mississippi
Mississippi does not have any licensure or certification requirements, per the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Instead, the State relies on employer requirements, of which there is an expectation that candidates will have completed a training program and hold a national certification.
Missouri
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services does not mandate state licensure or certification.
Employers want candidates with clinical documentation, typically through a training program, and national certification to be hired.
Montana
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services does not require EKG technicians to earn a license, complete a training program, or become certified.
However, most employers across the state want credentialed candidates with some type of experience, typically provided by an EKG program.
Nebraska
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services also does not require credentials to work in the State.
Employers take the lead on requiring a national certification and certificate program completion, which helps prepare students to sit for national exams.
Nevada
Nevada does not have a standalone EKG technician license or mandate certification.
Instead, the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health requires CCI or CET certification to be considered for any job position.
New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services offers no state EKG licensure or certification requirement.
Employers require national certification and some form of training via an EKG program or internship.
New Jersey
The New Jersey Department of Health does not have a state EKG license and does not mandate training or certification.
Trade schools and community colleges offer training programs that prepare students for national certification exams, which employers list as critical to employment.
New Mexico
The New Mexico Department of Health does not require an EKG technician certification or licensure.
The State defers to employers, most of whom require a certificate training program and national certification in a related field.
New York
The New York State Department of Health does not have an EKG technician license.
Instead, most hospitals have credential EKG technicians through internal means, but want clinical and classroom competency and national certification before being hired.
North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services also relies on employers to set the training standards for their future employees.
Most employers look for resumes with an EKG certificate, training program completion, and national certifications.
North Dakota
North Dakota does not have a state EKG license or certification requirements.
The North Dakota Department of Health looks to employers to provide hiring standards and requirements.
Most hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities in North Dakota want candidates who have some clinical experience and a national certification.
Ohio
The Ohio Department of Health does not have any statewide EKG technician training, certification, or licensure requirements for candidates to start working.
However, employers want applicants who have completed an accredited training program and earned national certification.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma does not have any requirements for EKG technicians.
The State Department of Health looks to employers to set hiring standards, most of whom want national certification and a training program.
Oregon
The Oregon Health Authority doesn’t mandate training, certification, or licensure for EKG technicians.
As an alternative, the Authority allows employers to set hiring requirements, such as an EKG technician training program certification, clinical work, and national certification.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is another state with no licensure, certification, or training requirements.
The Department of Health depends on employers to set the hiring standards for their specific facility.
Regardless of the location, most employers want applicants with a documented training program, clinical documentation, and national certifications.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island does not mandate state licensure or certification, but employers expect applicants to have national certification and clinical experience.
South Carolina
Since the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control does not mandate licensure or certification, the State looks to the employers for requirements.
Most employers want candidates with a certificate, national certification, and clinical experience.
South Dakota
South Dakota is yet another state with no licensure from the Department of Health.
Employers set the standards by requiring national certification and clinical documentation to be considered for a position, regardless of the medical facility.
Tennessee
Tennessee EKG technicians do not need to apply for licensure or certification, since the State Department of Health does not mandate it.
Instead, employers want to see resumes with an EKG technician training program, national certification, and clinical experience.
Texas
The Texas Department of State Health Services does not issue licenses or certifications for EKG technicians.
Instead, most EKG technicians in the State hold a certificate from an accredited training program and national certification from one of the main governing bodies.
Utah
The Utah Department of Health does not require licensure or certification to work in the State.
Employers expect clinical experience, training, and certification from applicants.
Vermont
The Vermont Department of Health has no statewide EKG license requirement.
Employers want documented training and a national certification from their candidates.
Virginia
The Virginia Department of Health has no state licensure or certification requirements.
Employers are relied on to set their own standards, which commonly include national certification and some type of training credentials.
West Virginia
West Virginia does not have any licensure, training, or certification requirements and relies on employers to set standards.
Statewide employers want applicants with some experience and a national certification.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin does not have a state EKG license and does not mandate certification.
Employers want candidates with national certification and who have completed an EKG training program with clinical experience.
Wyoming
Wyoming also does not have a state EKG license or certification requirement.
While the employers’ requirements are mixed across the state, most want a formal training program ending with a certificate, and some employers also want a national certification from one of the two main governing bodies.
