One of the most vital roles in clinical settings is EKG technicians.
They are responsible for aiding doctors with diagnostic testing and help to assess patients’ cardiovascular health.
If you’re interested in becoming an EKG tech, then you’ll need to attend the proper training and gain certification.
Below, we’ll show you how you can become a cardiographic (EKG) technician in Alabama.
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Licensing Requirements to Become
Becoming a licensed EKG technician requires that you either complete an associate’s degree or diploma program.
These requirements are mandatory and are set by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
In addition, you must also meet the minimum requirements set by learning institutions.
The requirements are generally:
- High School Diploma or GED
- 18 Years of Age
- Clean Background Check
- Negative Hepatitis Test
- Negative TB Test
- Immunization Records
The program length will vary depending on if you’re getting a certificate or an associate.
Advanced-level programs can even span six months or more.
However, the average coursework length for a certificate is 60 to 08 hours.
Students will need to complete the course with an 80% or higher, or they will need to retake it.
Applicants can then apply for the NHA certification exam, and if they pass, they will become certified EKG technicians.
5 EKG Technician Schools in Alabama
Taite Health Training
Taite Health Training is an EKG training program located in Mobile, AL.
There are two types of EKG training programs offered; in-person or hybrid.
Tuition costs are $800 plus an additional $160 for the National Exam.
The hybrid certificate program can be completed in three to six weeks.
The online portion of the course is self-paced but must be completed within six weeks.
The in-person portion will need to be scheduled ahead of time by appointment.
Students who attend the in-person portion must show up in uniform.
In-person students will attend the program for three weeks, from Monday to Thursday, from 10 am until 2 pm.
Students attending the in-person program must pay in full before taking the course.
Alternatively, the hybrid version does offer a payment plan.
Calhoun Community College
Calhoun Community College is located in Tanner, AL, and offers online and in-person programs.
The course is a total of 50 hours and prepares students to work as EKG technicians in the workforce.
The course covers various subjects, including medical disease processes, terminology, legal aspects of patient contact, electrocardiography, and stress testing.
Students will also get hands-on experience working with EKG equipment and performing labs.
The online program is a self-paced course that gives students six months to complete.
The course has an E-textbook, and no in-person attendance is required.
The total cost of the online program is $1,299, with no refunds.
The in-person course is on Tuesday and Thursday in the evenings from 6 pm until 9:30 pm.
It’s located at the Huntsville Campus location and costs a total of $999.
Students must also purchase a $125 exam fee for the NHA’s EKG Technician National Certification Exam.
Alabama State University
Alabama State University offers an online EKG technician training program.
The course spans over 170 hours and must be completed within 12 months.
Students can learn at their own pace, with no scheduled meeting times.
The training program also includes a voucher for the NHA’s Certified EKG Technician (CET) certification exam.
Tuition for the course is $2,490, but students may find that the course goes on discount from time to time. In addition, students can use Affirm to have low monthly payments, as little as $97.
ECG Training Specialists – Birmingham
ECG Training Specialists are located in Mountain Brook, AL, and are preparing to offer classes for the upcoming year.
Students will need to contact the company for further information about the course.
The program takes 20 hours to complete and can range anywhere from $400 to $1,000.
Auburn University
Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL, and provides an online EKG technician training program.
The EKG program is a self-paced eLearning course with a six-month limit.
Tuition is $3,000 for the program and must be paid upfront.
Students will learn the basics of EKG technology and increase their medical knowledge.
This includes medical terminology, care and safety of patients, lead placements, and more.
All supplemental materials will be provided.
Unlike other online courses, Auburn University provides 24/7 instructor support and course mentoring.
In addition, there are simulated labs and animated simulations throughout the course.
The program also includes a student portal that provides career guidance, resume writing, and other resources.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Taite Health Training | 309E TurnerRd,Prichard,AL36610, United States |
| Calhoun Community College | 6250 US-31, Tanner, AL 35671, United States |
| Alabama State University | 915 S Jackson St, Montgomery, AL 36104, United States |
| ECG Training Specialists - Birmingham | 300 Office Park Dr Suite 302, Mountain Brook, AL 35223, United States |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL 36849, United States |
Salary
The average EKG Technician salary in the United States is $42,00, with the low-end making $33,530 and the high-end making $55,500.
In Alabama, the average EKG technician salary is $39,300, with the low-end being $30,703 and the high-end being $50,954.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Birmingham | $40,400 |
| Montgomery | $38,400 |
| Mobile | $39,600 |
| Huntsville | $41,000 |
| Tuscaloosa | $40,200 |
| Hoover | $39,800 |
| Dothan | $36,900 |
| Decatur | $39,600 |
| Auburn | $38,700 |
| Gadsden | $40,400 |
Regional Salary in Alabama
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 410 | $47,330 | $22.75 | $75,970 | $28,570 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 70 | $44,980 | $21.62 | $68,170 | $27,130 |
| Dothan, AL | 50 | $42,410 | $20.39 | $65,930 | $22,280 |
| Huntsville, AL | 230 | $46,660 | $22.44 | $76,130 | $27,220 |
| Mobile, AL | 180 | $43,780 | $21.05 | $75,740 | $23,480 |
| Montgomery, AL | 60 | $47,670 | $22.92 | $75,980 | $28,510 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 70 | $37,790 | $18.17 | $64,150 | $25,050 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become an EKG Tech in Alabama?
First, you must take a Certified EKG Technician (CET) program.
State-approved training programs can help aid in taking the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) exam.
Once certified, you can apply to EKG tech positions.
What is the average passing score for the EKG exam in Alabama?
A majority of students will score an average of 390 or higher.
To prepare yourself for the certification exam, you should take an approved EKG technician course and complete medical labs.
Is becoming an EKG technician in Alabama hard?
Becoming an EKG technician takes work, and you will need to put in the effort.
Luckily, Alabama has plenty of EKG training programs available.
Getting hands on experience can further prepare you for the profession
EKG Technician Info by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
