EKG Technician

Certificate Program

Prerequisite: High school diploma or GED equivalent.

This 50-hour hybrid program will prepare you to become an EKG technician, which involves monitoring and recording electrical impulses transmitted by the heart. The course includes hands-on labs and practice with EKG equipment, and prepares you to take the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) exam or sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) EKG Technician Certification (CET) exam.

This course includes important background information on the anatomy and physiology of the heart, medical disease processes, medical terminology, medical ethics, legal aspects of patient contact, electrocardiography, and stress testing. You’ll also learn the proper functions of the EKG machine and other clinical practices.

Once you’ve earned our certificate of completion, this certificate qualifies you to take national exams, which are separate from our program and can be taken at additional costs. After the successful completion of this program, you will be prepared to sit for the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) exam or sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) EKG Technician Certification (CET) exam.

This program is presented in partnership with a third-party provider and is not taught by California State University, Long Beach faculty. The course is not offered for academic credit and is not degree-eligible. 

  • Individuals interested in becoming a certified EKG technician
  • Individuals interested in working in health care
  • Roles of the EKG technician
  • Functions of the EKG department in a variety of settings such as hospital, clinic, office, or mobile service
  • Medical terminology related to electrocardiography
  • Anatomy of the heart, conduction system, and circulation of the heart and blood vessels
  • Electrical conduction system of the heart and the cardiac cycle (electric system)
  • Preparing a patient for a 12-lead EKG
  • EKG strip analysis (P, Q, R, S, T wave form interpretation) and basic EKG interpretation
  • A review of normal sinus rhythm, sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, etc.
  • The 12-lead EKG placement and interpretation and troubleshooting
  • Attend and successfully complete all assignments

All lecture dates are held online through Zoom. See the Full Schedule link for a complete program breakdown of dates and times in the registration box.