How to Become an EKG Technician in Texas

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Working in a medical profession often requires people to complete medical school or a post-graduate education program.

Many people who live in Texas may have responsibilities that do not allow them to commit to years of university study.  

EKG technicians benefit from working in a healthcare career that does not require the years of study that is required for many medical professions.

They perform important duties, including attaching electrodes in the proper place on a patient’s body.

EKG technicians position the patient and perform the test.

They report the results to the physician who ordered the EKG. 

Learning how to become an EKG technician in Texas can lead to a career with a good salary that does not require years of education or training. 

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Licensing Requirements to Become an EKG Technician in Texas 

The state of Texas does not have licensing requirements for EKG technicians.

Residents who want to become EKG technicians need to be aware that although there is no state licensing requirement, many employers have their own requirements for certification or licensure. 

Employers often require that applicants have successfully completed an EKG technician training or education program.

Many schools in Texas offer programs that train students to work as EKG technicians.

The programs often prepare students to sit for exams. 

5 EKG Technician Schools in Texas 

The EKG programs offered by schools in Texas prepare graduates to start their career as an entry-level EKG technician. 

University of Houston University of Houston 

The Certified EKG Technician program at the University of Houston is delivered in a 100 percent online format.

The program has open enrollment, so students may start at any time.

Students must have a high school diploma or GED to enroll in the program.  

The curriculum includes courses that prepare students to sit for the Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Sample courses include The Cardiovascular System, Lead Placement and Artifacts, and EKG Analysis: Determining the Heart Rhythm. 

The 12-month program costs $1,995.

It includes a voucher for prepaid access to sit for the CET exam. 

Tyler Junior College Tyler Junior College 

Tyler Junior College offers an online EKG technician program.

Students study at their own pace, engage in interactive learning modules, and have access to 24-hour support.  

Learn the role of the EKG technician, the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, and the basic EKG interpretation of normal rhythms and arrhythmias.

Participate in student exercises, lab activities, and animated simulations. 

Students have the opportunity to sit for state and national exams. 

The program tuition is $1,199. 

University of Texas at El Paso University of Texas at El Paso 

The EKG Technician Certificate Program at the University of Texas at El Paso prepares students to become EKG technicians through four main content modules and one advanced module. 

Some topics and courses in the program include Calculating the Heart Rate, Medical Terminology Related to Electrocardiography, Lead Placement for 12-Lead Electrocardiography, and A Review of Artificial Pacemakers. 

The six-month program includes sitting for national certification.

Students are eligible to sit for a minimum of two national exams.

The exams include the American Society of Phlebotomy Technician (ASPT) Certified EKG Technician exam and the National Healthcareer Association EKG Technician (CET) certification.

The program consists of 375 course contact hours.

Alamo Colleges District Alamo Colleges District 

The Electrocardiography (EKG) Technician program at the Alamo Colleges District is a hybrid program.

Students must have a high school diploma or a GED.

They must have access to a computer or tablet and must have internet access.

Students must also provide proof that they received the required immunizations. 

The program includes Medical Terminology, Electrocardiography, and EKG Lab and Externship.

It also includes the course EKG Certification Prep.

The eight-month program includes 272 contact hours. 

The tuition is $3,774. 

Dallas College Dallas College 

Students who enroll in the Electrocardiography (EKG) Technician program at Dallas College learn to work in a variety of settings.

They learn about basic cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, and the basic EKG procedures.

Students also learn about the interpretation of basic dysrhythmias, and treatment modalities. 

Program courses include EKG Technician and CPR for Healthcare Providers.

The tuition is $15, plus $3.75 per contact hour for externship courses. 

School Name Address
University of Houston 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, United States
Tyler Junior College 1400 E 5th St, Tyler, TX 75701, United States
University of Texas at El Paso 500 W University Ave, El Paso, TX 79968, United States
Alamo Colleges District 201 W Dewey Pl, San Antonio, TX 78212, United States
Dallas College 1601 Botham Jean Blvd, Dallas, TX 75215, United States

Salary 

The January 2024 average salary for EKG technicians in Texas was $42,000.

The setting where an EKG technician works and their experience may affect their salary.  

The city where an EKG technician works in Texas may also affect their salary.

An EKG technician who works in Abilene has an average salary of $38,600, while an EKG technician who works in Dallas has an average salary of $42,500. 

Annual Salary Range:
$37K
$42K
$48K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Houston $43,600
Dallas $42,600
San Antonio $41,300
Austin $42,100
El Paso $37,500
Fort Worth $41,700
Arlington $41,700
Corpus Christi $40,200
Plano $42,600
Garland $42,600

Regional Salary in Texas

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Abilene, TX**$46,260$22.24$74,110$30,930
Amarillo, TX50$56,660$27.24$82,760$37,420
Austin-Round Rock, TX400$59,690$28.7$100,990$37,440
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX60$53,060$25.51$78,230$28,360
Corpus Christi, TX90$54,370$26.14$82,600$31,950
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX1,290$59,720$28.71$100,660$37,490
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX1,140$57,530$27.66$97,070$36,280
Killeen-Temple, TX120$51,330$24.68$76,440$28,880
Longview, TX40$52,670$25.32$95,420$28,390
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX100$41,270$19.84$83,700$27,740
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX390$55,100$26.49$95,120$33,190
Texarkana, TX-AR**$45,900$22.07$81,890$30,940
Waco, TX60$53,030$25.5$82,500$34,190
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, OCC Code 29-2031, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get hands-on training to work as an EKG technician in Texas?

Many EKG programs offer externships or other options for students to get hands-on training.

Look for a program that offers training in a school lab or at a clinical facility for EKG technician students.

Why do I need to sit for exams when there is no licensing requirement in Texas?

Many employers want to see that applicants have completed an education or training program.

The University of Houston indicates that more than 80 percent of employers who hire EKG technicians require them to have certification.

Where do EKG technicians in Texas work?

EKG technicians in Texas often work in hospitals.

They work in outpatient clinics, diagnostic facilities, imaging centers, and at private practice physician’s offices.

EKG Technician Info by State

Jamie Willis
Career Specialist at BecomeopediaHi, my name is Jamie Willis, and I have been helping students find their perfect internships and education paths for the last ten years. It is a passion of mine, and there really is nothing better than seeing students of mine succeed with further studies.

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