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EKG Technician Certification (ETC) exam
Find the current format, timing, scoring, fees, eligibility, and testing options for ETC, with direct links to official sources.
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Questions100 scored multiple-choice questions plus up to 10 additional unscored pilot items (100/10 scored/unscored per form)
Testing time2 hours
ScoringPassmark of 69 of the 100 scored items on all active forms (C-F); retired Forms A and B had passmarks of 67 and 66; pass/fail decision reported with raw score and form benchmark
Exam feeUSD 119.00 for the ETC exam (study material included); a USD 25.00 non-refundable application fee applies to eligibility Option 2 (training program outside an AMCA Approved Test Site) or Option 3 (work-experience pathway); certification renewal costs USD 15.00 every 2 years with 10 CE credits
Prep options
Study resources for ETC
Independent prep
Courses and study resources
Exam overview
What to know before choosing your prep
- Who runs it
- AMCA
- Category
- Cardiovascular Technology
- Current version
- ETC Exam Blueprint 2025 (current operational forms C-F; passing standard set by the 2025 ETC Exam Specifications Report — Forms A and B retired 9/1/2025)
- Where it applies
- United States — national
- Exam languages
- English
- Score scale
- Raw score out of 100 scored items reported with the form benchmark and pass/fail decision; per-domain breakdown released only to unsuccessful candidates
- Testing provider
- AMCA-administered: in-person proctoring at AMCA-approved test sites; computer delivery through the AMCA exam-delivery portal (Meazure platform) with ProctorU providing live remote proctoring
- Format
- Computer-based or paper/pencil multiple-choice exam with an in-person proctor at an AMCA-approved test site, or computer-based with a live remote proctor (ProctorU); breaks are not permitted during LRP exams
- Availability
- Scheduled by appointment at the candidate's convenience: live remote proctoring lets candidates pick the exam date, time, and location; paper/pencil and in-person computer testing are scheduled with an AMCA-approved test site
- Results
- Immediate feedback for computer-based exams (scored upon submission, delivered via the exam portal and email); paper/pencil exams are Scantron-scanned with results delivered by portal and email notification
- Credential validity
- Certification valid 2 years from the date of testing; renewal requires 10 CE credits every 2 years
- Remote testing
- Available
Exam structure
One 100-scored-item exam across five job-task domains: Professionalism, Ethics, and Compliance (20 items, 20%); Patient Care and Preparation (25 items, 25%); Equipment Operation and Maintenance (6 items, 6%); Cardiac Testing (30 items, 30%, including electrocardiography, stress testing, and Holter monitoring); Cardiac Testing Results (19 items, 19%); up to 10 additional unscored pilot items may be interspersed
Where rules vary
US national allied-health certification: 'AMCA is a US-based certification agency. All certifications were created based on the roles of personnel in the US healthcare system'; AMCA also notes that 'Organizations outside the US may also be approved to offer AMCA certification exams, and candidates may choose to test internationally if all eligibility requirements can be satisfied'; the ETC page adds the credential is 'respected by employers in all 50 U.S. states and internationally'
Eligibility
At least 17 years old; high school diploma or equivalent (or in pursuit); plus one of three eligibility pathways — graduation from a related training program at an AMCA Approved Test Site (no extra fee), graduation from a related training program elsewhere (USD 25 application fee; LRP delivery only), or at least one year of full-time related work experience (USD 25 application fee; LRP delivery only); initial attempt within one year of training completion (60 days of approval for the work-experience pathway)
Retake policy
Maximum of three attempts; 30-day waiting period after the first unsuccessful attempt and 60 days after the second; all attempts must be completed within 1 year of the first attempt; after a third failure the candidate may re-apply 1 year from the initial attempt