Online Telemetry Technician Certification Programs: Explore Best Schools

North Central Texas College (NCTC)

NCTC’s EKG/Telemetry Technician program teaches the core skills you need for entry-level hospital work or helps you upskill if you already work in allied health.

• Format: Online with lab
• Length: 64 contact hours
• Cost: $496
• Clinical/Hands-On Component: Lab hours included
• Admission Requirements: Age 18+, high school diploma/GED or college transcripts, criminal background check, current official ID
• Notable Features: Prepares students for the CET exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

Good For

Students who prefer a short, structured course, and allied health professionals seeking certification.

California Medical Training Center

With a mix of self-paced online study and one full day of hands-on training, California Medical Training Center’s Certified EKG Monitor/Telemetry Technician Program offers a clear route to becoming nationally certified.

• Format: Self-paced online course + 1-day in-person skills session
• Length: 10-20 hours online + 6-8 hour in-person skills session
• Cost: $950 (includes materials, resources, and national exam fee)
• Clinical/Hands-On Component: Minimum of 10 live EKG procedures completed during the in-person session
• Admission Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; must be licensed in healthcare, currently enrolled in a healthcare program, or a current college student
• Notable Features: Over 90% pass rate; approved by the NHA; prepares students for CET, CCT, and CRAT exams

Good For

Healthcare professionals adding certification, EMTs, career changers, and students who want flexible online learning + intensive in-person exam prep.

National Telemetry Association (NTA)

What sets the National Telemetry Association’s Telemetry Course apart is its personalized approach: every student is paired with a dedicated instructor (a physician or board-certified nurse practitioner) for mentorship, feedback, and exam prep.

• Format: Online with one-on-one instructor support
• Length: Self-paced (up to 6 months to complete)
• Cost: $529
• Clinical/Hands-On Component: No in-person lab or clinical hours
• Admission Requirements: None; open to beginners
• Notable Features: Includes hard copy book, study package, two attempts at both the NTA National Telemetry Exam and the National EKG Exam

Good For

Individuals with no prior experience who want a comprehensive bundled certification (EKG and Telemetry), and students who prefer self-paced learning + mentorship.

Stonecrest Health

Fully online and with self-paced modules, Stonecrest Health’s Online Telemetry Monitor Technician Course & Certification program teaches you cardiac rhythm recognition and arrhythmia interpretation to get you job-ready.

• Format: Fully online
• Length: Designed for 4 weeks (move faster or slower as needed)
• Cost: $310
• Clinical/Hands-On Component: No internship or clinical component required
• Admission Requirements: None; open to beginners and healthcare workers
• Notable Features: Personal instructor support; prepares students for 12-lead and 5-lead EKG interpretation; high final exam pass rate

Good For

Beginners without medical experience, healthcare professionals adding credentials quickly, and students seeking maximum flexibility.

Phlebotomy Career Training

Another fully-online, self-paced program that focuses on a strong foundation in rhythm interpretation is Phlebotomy Career Training’s Online Telemetry Technician Course and Certification.

• Format: 100% online, self-paced
• Length: 4 weeks (up to 6 months allowed)
• Cost: $350
• Clinical/Hands-On Component: No internship or externship required
• Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED
• Notable Features: 40+ hours of course content; NTA Study Guide with calipers; free 6-month voucher for the NTA national exam; 5.5 CEUs through CAPCE

Good For

Students who want a fully online program with instructor support, especially beginners without prior healthcare experience

Accreditation & Industry Recognition

Choose programs affiliated with respected organizations such as:

• NHA
• NCCT
• AMCA

These organizations are recognized by employers and help ensure your training meets industry safety standards. Programs offering unrecognized certificates may be cheaper upfront but could limit your job options later.

Coursework & Curriculum Quality

A strong telemetry program should include:

• Cardiac anatomy & physiology
• EKG interpretation
• Lead placement
• Arrhythmia recognition
• Monitor equipment setup
• Emergency response basics

You should not only recognize what you’re seeing on the monitor, but why it matters clinically. If a program’s syllabus is vague or skips core skills, it may not prepare you adequately.

Hands-On Practice or Simulation Requirements

Some online programs offer:

• Virtual simulations
• In-person skills sessions
• Live clinical practice

Certification Exam Preparation

Your goal is to pass the national certification exam, so choose programs that provide:

• Exam-aligned curriculum
• Study guides
• Practice tests
• Support from instructors
• High pass rates

Solid exam preparation helps you pass on your first attempt and start working sooner.

Instructor Experience & Student Support

You also want to know who’s going to teach you. Programs taught by registered nurses, physicians, or experienced cardiac technicians can give you real-world context and tips to help differentiate between rhythms, instead of only textbook examples.

Confirm what kind of support is offered, whether that’s email access to instructors, scheduled Q&A time, or tutoring.

Responsibilities

The telemetry tech’s primary job is to continuously monitor heart rhythms. Other daily tasks often include:

• Interpreting alarms
• Identifying rhythm changes
• Documenting rhythm strips
• Supporting proper lead placement
• Troubleshooting equipment
• Communicating with nurses and providers

This is detailed work that requires focus, pattern recognition, and quick decision-making.

Work Environments

Most telemetry technicians work in hospitals, especially:

• Intensive Care Units (ICUs)
• Coronary Care Units (CCUs)
• Emergency departments
• Dedicated telemetry units

Some also work in outpatient cardiology clinics or remote monitoring centers. Night and weekend shifts are common, since cardiac monitoring is 24/7.

Salary Expectations & Job Outlook

Telemetry tech is a stable field with solid earning potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), cardiovascular technologists and technicians (which includes telemetry techs) earn a median salary of $67,260 per year, or about $32.34 per hour.

That said, pay varies based on experience, location, and setting. The job outlook is stable, with employment projected to grow 3% from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Career Advancement Opportunities

Many people use the telemetry tech role as a stepping stone. Common paths include:

• EKG technician
• Cardiovascular technologist
• LPN/LVN programs
• RN programs

Having a strong foundation in cardiac rhythm interpretation can also give you an advantage in clinical training programs later on.