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Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals rely on patient care technicians to assist with the critical day-to-day care some patients require. They provide hands-on assistance to serve patients' basic needs, which greatly impacts the lives of
their patients and their patients' families. As a patient care tech, you may be able to perform some or all of the following tasks:
Provide basic patient care — bathing, feeding, catheter care, etc.
Acquire, distribute and administer patient care supplies
Perform safety checks and ensure cleanliness in patient rooms
Accommodate any additional patient needs
Obtain EKG readings and monitor vital signs
Perform phlebotomy procedures
Provide emotional support to patients and families, particularly coping with grief and death
NHA partners with educators and employers across the United States to educate, train and certify patient care technicians. Find a job near you to start your journey toward this rewarding and in-demand career.
78% of employers require or encourage certification for patient care technicians. (Source: 2020 Industry Outlook)
Benefits of certification: more responsibility + job opportunity
Healthcare is evolving, and patient care technicians are in higher demand than ever before. Patient care technicians are also facing increasing responsibilities in their role due to a shortage of LPNs in hospitals combined with the increasing patient
hospitalizations. Patient care technicians who are NHA certified (CPCT/A) are better prepared to tackle these responsibilities than CNAs or PCTs who are not certified
Other job titles with scopes that a CPCT/A can fulfill or exceed include:
Certified Patient Care Assistant
Home Health Aid
Certified Nursing Assistant
Patient Care Associate
Patient Care Assistant
Home Health Assistant
What is the difference between an MA, CNA and CPCT/A?
Possess a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency; or are scheduled to earn a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency in the next 12 months*
*Click here for more details on the certification pathway for high school health science students.
Completed a patient care technician training or education program within the last 5 years
OR
Possess a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency
1 year of supervised work experience in a patient care technician field within the last 3 years; or 2 years of supervised work experience in a patient care technician field within the last 5 years
See Candidate Handbook for more information about Eligibility Requirements.
NHA certifications tell an employer that a graduate is well-prepared and ready to do a good job. The employees receive portable credentials that stand out on a resume and make them more likely to be hired.Deb Miller, Director of Grants Development at Roane State
5 Steps to Patient Care Technician/Assistant Certification
Apply for your exam
Create a free NHA account online, anytime, and submit your Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) exam application through your account portal.
Set a date
Select the date and location–online or in-person–for your exam. (A CPCT/A exam fee payment is required during this step.)
Prepare, prepare, prepare
Time to study! We're here to support you. We have study materials available, including an interactive study guide and CPCT/A practice test.
Take the exam
You'll take the 100-question exam either at your school, a PSI testing center near you, or through live remote proctoring at the location of your choice.
Get your results
For online exams, NHA will officially post your certification results to your account page within two days of scoring your test.
Is your school or employer sponsoring your exam?
When you create your NHA account, be sure to select your organization type, school or training center, or employer in order to:
Access any pre-purchased materials or exams available to you
Take advantage of possible discounts
Share your exam results with your school or employer
*The purchase of NHA exam preparation materials is not required to sit for any NCCA-accredited certification exam and use does not guarantee a passing score on an exam. All NHA exams are NCCA-accredited.
NHA Mobile —
Empowering learner success with study-on-the-go flashcards aligned to your enrolled NHA course.
Are you an educator or employer? Talk to a certification specialist to learn more about our robust digital learning resources designed to supplement your training or education program.
Renew your certification
Keeping your certification current is a small investment (just $8 per month!) that can help you achieve your healthcare career goals.
Certifications must be renewed every two years
There is no penalty for renewing early
Before your expiration date:
Complete 10 continuing education credits
Pay your recertification fee
If your certification has expired, you have 1 year to reinstate it
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