Becoming an EKG technician offers you an exciting career.
You’ll work alongside doctors to help patients and provide cardiac care.
Most healthcare careers take years of school or training, but you can become an EKG technician in Tennessee in just a few months.
To become an EKG technician in Tennessee, you’ll need to complete a few steps, including an EKG technician training program and passing a national certification exam.
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Licensing Requirements to Become an EKG Technician in Tennessee
Tennessee has no formal requirements to become an EKG technician.
Instead, the position is considered an unlicensed assisted person, and can only perform tasks that are delegated to them by a licensed medical professional.
However, most employers prefer or require that you become certified to be considered for an EKG technician position.
Meet the Prerequisites to Become an EKG Technician
The first step to become an EKG technician in Tennessee is to be sure you meet the prerequisite requirements.
You’ll need a high school diploma or equivalent, and you should be at least 18 years old.
You will be required to be up-to-date on vaccinations and have negative tuberculosis and Hepatitis B tests.
Most employers also perform a background check, so your background should be free of felony convictions.
Lastly, you’ll need the skills to be a good EKG technician.
You should be analytical and detail-oriented.
You also need to be a good communicator and work well with patients.
Explaining procedures and putting them at ease is part of the job.
Attend an EKG Training Program
Most EKG training programs can be completed in a few weeks or a few months.
You’ll learn about heart anatomy, how to perform an EKG, and how to interpret the results.
Most programs feature classroom instruction and hands-on labs.
Pass a Certification Exam
The final step is to pass a national certification exam.
The most well-recognized is the National Healthcareer Association or NHA.
The exam, which includes a practice exam, costs $125.
Other study and practice materials are available to buy as well.
National Performance Specialists also offer a certification.
This certification costs $200 and includes study materials and unlimited practice tests.
Both are recognized by most employers.
5 EKG Technician Training Programs in Tennessee
Tennessee Professional Training Institute 
Tennessee Professional Training Institute is located in Murfreesboro.
They offer a 40-hour training program.
Students can choose to attend a 5-day course, a 3-week course held in the evenings, or a 5-week Saturday course.
In addition to the 40 hours of classroom instructions, students will complete a 20-hour externship which allows them to gain valuable hands-on training.
Attendance is expected, and students who miss more than 1 day will not be allowed to complete the program.
NGH School of Health Sciences 
NGH School of Health Sciences is located in Nashville, TN.
Classes are held each Saturday, and the program takes 3 months to complete.
In addition to classroom hours, students will complete 6 clinical hours each week.
The curriculum is designed to prepare students to take the Certified Cardiographic Examination, which is administered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
Passing the exam will give students the Certified EKG Technician, or CCT, certification.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville
The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville offers a completely online EKG technician training program.
Courses include Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology, Infection Control, EKG Introduction, EKG Interpretation, and EKG Application Procedure.
You can complete the courses at your own pace.
After finishing the program, you can choose to take the AECA’s provisional Certified EKG Technician Specialist (CETS) certification exam or the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam.
U.S. Career Institute
U.S. Career Institute offers an online EKG technician program that can be completed in as little as 4 months.
It’s self-paced, so you can work at your own pace.
After you’ve completed the program, you can take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam.
However, you will need to complete 10 live EKGs within 90 days of passing your certification exam to be certified.
Live experience is not included in the U.S. Career Institute program.
The University of Tennessee Martin 
The University of Tennessee Martin also offers an online EKG technician training program.
The course prepares you to take the National Healthcareer Association Certified EKG Technician Exam.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Tennessee Professional Training Institute | 1630 S Church St Suite 302, Murfreesboro, TN 37130, United States |
| NGH School of Health Sciences | 1818 Albion St, Nashville, TN 37208, United States |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville | 1100 Liberty St, Knoxville, TN 37919, United States |
| U.S. Career Institute | 2001 Lowe St, Fort Collins, CO 80525, United States |
| The University of Tennessee Martin | 554 University St, Martin, TN 38237, United States |
EKG Technician in Tennessee Salary
The average salary for an EKG technician in Tennessee is $39,300.
Salaries usually range from $34,900 to $45,500.
How much you earn will depend on the setting you work in, your experience, education, certification, and any other skills you may have.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Memphis | $39,700 |
| Nashville | $39,900 |
| Knoxville | $39,300 |
| Chattanooga | $38,600 |
| Clarksville | $38,900 |
| Murfreesboro | $39,600 |
| Jackson | $39,400 |
| Johnson City | $37,300 |
| Kingsport | $37,400 |
| Franklin | $39,800 |
Regional Salary in Tennessee
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 130 | $85,020 | $40.88 | $147,560 | $31,400 |
| Jackson, TN | 50 | $51,160 | $24.6 | $85,110 | $26,660 |
| Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA | 50 | $50,490 | $24.28 | $62,390 | $27,330 |
| Knoxville, TN | 190 | $56,790 | $27.31 | $73,610 | $33,400 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 280 | $55,400 | $26.64 | $79,770 | $30,250 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 410 | $63,980 | $30.76 | $89,510 | $36,040 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are EKG technicians in demand in Tennessee?
Yes.
There are many open positions for EKG technicians in Tennessee.
Nationwide, the demand is projected to grow by 10% over the next decade, which is faster than average.
Where can I work as an EKG technician in Tennessee?
EKG technicians can work in a variety of settings.
These include hospitals, outpatient care centers, private practices, diagnostic labs, imaging centers, nursing homes, and cardiac centers.
Do I need to renew my EKG technician certification in Tennessee?
Yes.
You’ll need to renew your certification every 2 years.
The NHA requires that you complete 10 hours of continuing education.
You can find continuing education courses on their website.
NPA requires you to retake the certification exam every 2 years.
Both certifications require you to pay a renewal fee.
EKG Technician Info by State
- Alabama
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- Indiana
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- Ohio
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- Oregon
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- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
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