How To Become a Patient Care Technician (PCT) in 2025

Aspiring patient care technicians will need to complete several steps on this career path. These steps include obtaining necessary training and certification.

Becoming a patient care technician can be a great way to get started in the healthcare field. If you'd like to learn more about patient care technician requirements and job duties, you're in the right place.

Keep reading as we discuss how to become a patient care technician, including all education and certification requirements. We'll also talk about what these entry-level healthcare professionals do and answer some frequently asked questions you may have.

What Is the Role of a Patient Care Technician (PCT)?

Patient care technician responsibilities can vary widely depending on your employer, specialization, and level of training. Generally speaking, PCTs are responsible for assisting patients with daily activities, communicating their needs to other professionals, providing emotional support, and performing basic care procedures.

Common job duties may include:

monitoring vital signs like pulse and blood pressure
administering electrocardiograms (EKGs)
drawing blood and administering medications
helping patients with bathing, dressing, or eating
keeping hospital rooms or other patient environments clean

PCTs can work in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, doctor's offices, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. Depending on their specific level of training, they may also be known as certified nursing assistants (CNAs), medical assistants, EKG technicians, phlebotomy technicians, and more.

How To Become a Certified Patient Care Technician

Becoming a certified patient care technician (CPCT) demonstrates your competency to employers and is often required for employment. Follow these steps to become a CPCT.

1. Earn a High School Diploma

Most PCT programs and careers require candidates to hold a high school diploma or GED. This is the minimum level of education required for this career path.

Students who are still in high school are encouraged to keep their grades up and study subjects like biology and anatomy to prepare them for healthcare roles. If you are no longer attending school but never graduated, it's important that you earn your GED or complete some other high school equivalency program.

2. Meet All Eligibility Requirements

In addition to completing high school or an equivalent level of education, you may need to meet other basic eligibility requirements. Many PCT training programs require applicants to:

be at least 18 years old
be physically fit
be up to date on immunizations

Students may also need to complete entrance exams or take prerequisites for some courses. These specific requirements will vary from program to program, though. Check with your school to find out more about specific eligibility requirements you'll need to meet.

3. Enroll in a PCT Training Program

Some PCTs gain entry-level experience instead of traditional training; however, the typical route to getting certified is to complete a training program. Community colleges, universities, hospitals, and vocational schools all offer different types of patient care technician training programs. These programs can vary in length and scope but typically provide a blend of classroom learning and hands-on clinical experiences.

Coursework may cover medical terminology, patient care techniques, interpersonal skills, and technical skills like phlebotomy. Some programs are basic, lasting only a few weeks to a few months; others provide more advanced or specialized training and may take up to two years.

4. Take the Certification Exam

Once you have completed the training program of your choice, you are ready to pursue certification. Several professional organizations provide CPCT certification, most notably the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Employers don't always require PCTs to be certified, but many prefer candidates with active certification. Some states may require certification, making it necessary for any PCT planning to work in those states to pass the necessary exams.

5. Apply for PCT Jobs

Now that you're a fully certified patient care technician, you're ready to start gaining experience. As noted above, PCTs can work in many different healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

You can look for jobs by exploring online job boards or attending hiring events. You can also apply for open positions with local healthcare facilities directly by visiting their websites or filling out paper applications they have available.

Patient Care Technician Training Programs

Becoming a Patient Care Technician requires you to complete an appropriate training program. Enrolling in patient care technician training online and in-person programs will get you closer to achieving your career path. Community colleges or vocational schools often offer PCT programs, so if one of these programs doesn't fit your needs, you might be able to find a program near you.

U.S. Career Institute

The U.S. Career Institute (USCI) is an online vocational school that offers a PCT program. This asynchronous program is offered fully online and can prepare learners for the Patient Care Technician Certification (CPCT/A) exam. The USCI is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).

Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent
Financial Aid: Payment plans and a money-back guarantee
Duration: four to five months on average (the program is self-paced)
Tuition Rate: $979 (paid in full) or $1279 (with payment plan)

St. Louis Community College

St. Louis Community College's (STLCC) PCT program is offered in a hybrid format. Students will take online courses to cover theory while participating in in-person skills labs and clinical experiences. Participants in this program will work three 12 hour shifts per week to gain hands-on experience, this can include overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts.

Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent
Financial Aid: Program funding is available with an employment commitment
Duration: nine to 11 weeks of training
Tuition Rate: $122 per credit hour (in-district)

Houston Community College

The Houston Community College (HCC) PCT program is divided into four main courses, including 356 total hours of coursework and hands-on learning. This program includes elements of EKG fundamentals, phlebotomy, and the principles needed to sit for the certified nursing assistant exam.

Prerequisites: Students must be up to date on their vaccines and have CPR training
Financial Aid: There is no financial aid, but HCC does offer payment plans
Duration: 356 total hours of courses and clinical experiences
Tuition Rate: $2755.00 total tuition (not including supplies or books)

St. Louis College of Health Careers

The PCT program at St. Louis College of Health Careers (SLCHC) is a well-rounded program that combines general education and occupational courses to prepare learners for a variety of jobs. Learners who complete this program will be prepared for both CNA and Phlebotomy exams.

Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent
Financial Aid: SLCHC students can apply for grants and scholarships through the school
Duration: two semesters
Tuition Rate: $450 per credit hour

Stepful

Stepful is an online provider of medical certificates and diplomas. Its PCT program is offered fully online in a self-paced program. Stepful designs its coursework to work seamlessly on phones, making it a great option for busy learners who need to work on lessons whenever they can. There are no clinicals or other face-to-face requirements.

Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent
Financial Aid: Stepful offers need-based scholarships
Duration: eight weeks
Tuition Rate: $1,799 (paid in full) or $2,399 (payment plan)

How Long Does It Take To Become a Patient Care Technician?

There are different types of training programs for aspiring PCTs. Most are short-term certificate programs, though associate degrees are also available at some schools.

Some PCT programs can be completed in as little as a few weeks. Most take somewhere between four and 12 months. Associate degree programs average about two years.

Patient Care Technician Jobs & Salaries

Completing a PCT training program can prepare learners for a variety of job pathways. These are some of the most common employment opportunities for PCT certificate holders with estimated salaries. These salaries will vary based on several key factors, including experience, other certifications or education, and geographic location.

Patient Care Technician - $38,498 per year
Phlebotomist - $43,660 per year
Certified Nursing Assistant - $39,430 per year

FAQs About PCT Requirements

If you still have questions about what it takes to become a patient care technician, you're not alone. Keep reading as we provide answers for some common questions you may be wondering about.

What Certification Do I Need To Become a PCT?

Patient care technician certification is available through several organizations, most commonly the NHA. CPCT certification through any of these organizations is often required to find employment. Additionally, some positions may require PCTs to pursue additional certifications, such as a CNA, depending on the nature of the specific jobs.

How Long Is PCT Training?

PCT training typically lasts four to 12 months, though some programs may be longer or shorter. Some schools and organizations offer training programs that can be completed in a few weeks to a couple of months; others offer associate degree programs, which typically take about two years for full-time learners to complete.

How Much Does a Patient Care Technician Program Cost?

The cost of your PCT program will vary depending on whether you choose a certificate or degree program, the length of the program, and the type of school offering it. On average, short-term programs taking a year or less to complete average $1,500 to $6,000; longer programs like associate degrees can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $14,000 or more.

Find a Patient Care Technician School Near You

If you're ready to start looking at education programs for patient care technicians, explore the schools featured on Learn.org. Contact any of the schools today to learn more about their degree and certificate programs and to find the best option for you.