About the CET exam
The National Healthcareer Association gives the Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam. It has 120 questions and you get 2 hours. 100 of the questions count toward your score, and the other 20 are unscored pretest questions. NHA has announced a new version of the exam for winter 2027 to 2028, and the current test plan stays in use until then.
Sources: CET test plan (2017 job analysis), checked October 16, 2026; Updated CET certification exam and study materials coming, checked October 16, 2026.| Content area | Scored questions |
|---|---|
| EKG acquisition | 44 |
| Safety, compliance and coordinated patient care | 32 |
| EKG analysis and interpretation | 24 |
What the practice test will include
The CET pass will include full practice tests that follow NHA’s test plan, a question bank by topic, every answer explained, and insights that show which topics to review. A certified EKG technician reviews every question, so the CET test will open after our TEAS practice.
Join the CET waitlist
After every practice set, you’ll see which CET topics to work on next. Ten minutes counts, and it saves your place.
EKG practice questions
We’re writing these now
Every question will follow the exam owner’s published outline, and every answer will explain why the right choice is right and the others aren’t. Join the waitlist and we’ll email you the day they’re ready.
What’s on the CET exam
EKG acquisition is the largest area, at 44 of the 100 scored questions. EKG analysis and interpretation is 24 questions. Safety, compliance and coordinated patient care makes up the other 32.
Who can take the CET exam
You need a high school diploma or GED (or one within 18 months), plus an EKG training program in the last 5 years or supervised work experience. NHA also asks for proof of at least 10 EKGs on live individuals.
Where you take it
You can test at your school if it’s an NHA testing site, at a PSI test center, or online with live remote proctoring.
How to study for the CET exam
Start with EKG acquisition, since it’s the biggest area, then spend steady time on analysis and interpretation. Take one timed practice test early and another near your test date to check your pace of about one minute per question.
Common questions about the CET exam
What’s the CET passing score?
You need a scaled score of 390 or higher on NHA’s scale of 200 to 500, the same as every NHA certification exam.
How much does the CET exam cost?
NHA lists the CET exam application at $134. Each retake costs the full price again.
Who can take the CET exam?
You need a high school diploma or GED (or one within 18 months), plus an EKG training program in the last 5 years or supervised work experience. NHA also asks for proof of at least 10 EKGs on live individuals.
Can I retake the CET exam?
Yes. NHA allows three attempts with at least 30 days between them, then a one-year wait before each later attempt.