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NHA Certified EKG Technician (CET) Certification Exam
The NHA Certified EKG Technician (CET) certification exam is a 2-hour, 100-scored-item (plus 20 pretest) multiple-choice exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association for EKG technician certification, delivered at affiliated schools, PSI test centers, or via live remote proctoring.
Official exam siteJump to prep options ↓
Questions100 scored questions plus 20 unscored pretest items (120 total)
Testing time2 hours
ScoringScaled passing score of 390 required to pass
Exam feeUSD 134 CET exam application fee (per attempt; full price re-paid for each retake)
Prep options
Study resources for NHA CET
Independent prep
Courses and study resources
Exam overview
What to know before choosing your prep
- Who runs it
- NHA
- Category
- Cardiovascular Technology
- Current version
- CET Test Plan based on the 2017 job analysis (current published test plan)
- Where it applies
- United States — national
- Exam languages
- English
- Score scale
- 200–500 scaled score range
- Testing provider
- PSI (test centers and live remote proctoring); institution-based testing at affiliated schools
- Format
- Multiple choice, computer-based, proctored
- Availability
- Year-round scheduling after application approval: in-person at a PSI testing center, on-site at an affiliated school, or via live remote proctoring
- Results
- Preliminary score report immediately for institution-based exams; within 48 hours for PSI test-center and live remote proctored exams; official results posted to the NHA account
- Remote testing
- Available
Exam structure
100 scored multiple-choice items across three domains: Safety, Compliance, and Coordinated Patient Care (32 items), EKG Acquisition (44), and EKG Analysis and Interpretation (24); plus 20 unscored pretest items
Where rules vary
U.S. national certification exam; some states/employers recognize the credential for state roles, but the exam itself is uniform and nationwide
Eligibility
High school diploma/GED (or earning one within 12 months) plus EITHER completion of an EKG technician training/education program within the last 5 years OR 1 year of supervised EKG work experience within the last 3 years (or 2 years within the last 5); both pathways require evidence of successfully performing a minimum of ten (10) EKGs on live individuals
Retake policy
Up to 3 attempts with a minimum 30-day waiting period between attempts; after the third failed attempt, a 1-year wait applies; each retake requires re-registration and full exam fee