NTA - National Telemetry Certification

The National Telemetry Association (NTA) offers telemetry training and certification for various healthcare professionals, such as EMTs, paramedics, medical assistants, CNAs, nurses and telemetry technicians. In addition, those who have no experience or students are eligible to take the exam to assist with their career. However, the NTA suggests candidates have a strong telemetry background before attempting the National Telemetry Certification exam.

The NTA offers several telemetry training and exam versions based on experience or credentials. 

1. National Telemetry Certification Exam Only: $199 For professionals with a strong background in telemetry and healthcare experience, such as students and nurses.
   
   Candidates receive one attempt at the National Telemetry Exam.
   

2. National EKG Certification and Review Course: $389
   
   No healthcare experience is required. Designed for students with little or no experience in EKG but want to become certified.
   
   Candidates receive two attempts at the National EKG Exam.
   

3. National Telemetry Certification and Review Course: $249
   
   This course is intended for students with previous experience or work in telemetry who want to become certified.
   
   Candidates receive two attempts at the National Telemetry Exam.
   

4. Full Course National Telemetry Certification and National EKG Certification: $529|
   
   This complete certification course is created for any level of experience, and full instructor support is included. Candidates who complete this course can become Telemetry Monitor Technicians.
   
   Candidates receive two attempts at the National Telemetry Exam and the National EKG Exam.
   
   The study package includes study guides on the certification, cardiac meds, EKG basics and cardiac arrhythmia.

Courses are self-paced, but most candidates can complete a course in a month. However, candidates have six months to access and complete the course.

The telemetry course curriculum includes:

• Introduction to telemetry and ECGs

• Introduction to the cardiovascular system and heart anatomy

• Basics of operating an ECG

• Fundamentals of reading cardiac monitors

Each telemetry student has access to a dedicated instructor (physician or board-certified family NP) who’s available for help or questions. The instructor sends an email to the student after registration.

Candidates have 180 minutes to complete the National Telemetry Exam, which consists of 303 computer-based multiple-choice questions. Test takers must score at least 85% to receive a passing grade.

Candidates are allowed a maximum of three paid exam attempts within six months. Afterward, they must wait a minimum of six months after the third attempt to retest. 

After the Exam

Candidates who pass the exam receive an NTA logo patch to sew onto their coat, a unique NTA Certification ID number, a certificate and a letter of completion within 7-10 business days.

Eligibility

Once candidates complete the desired course, they have six months after access to the course closes for their first attempt at the national exam.

LPNs, RNs and NPs who pass the NTA exam receive recognition as Telemetry Nurse Specialists and receive a sew-on patch.

The NTA certification is valid for two years and costs $99 to renew with two exam attempts. Candidates must register and pay for and pass the renewal exam to maintain their credentials.

Nurses, EMTs and medical assistant candidates who complete the Full Course National Telemetry Certification and National EKG Certification receive 5.5 CEUs.

The NTA offers comprehensive modules, study guides, interactive practice tests, lecture videos and a final exam to help prepare for the exam.

Candidates who register for the Full National Telemetry Certification and National EKG Certification receive a hardcopy course book via postal mail within 7-10 days.

The National Telemetry Association has numerous articles regarding the field of telemetry.

Candidates may purchase a Study Guide for $47.17 and telemetry calipers for $10.37 within the NTA store.

National Electrocardiogram Exam: No healthcare experience is required. It’s designed for students who want to become certified with little or no experience in EKG. 

Certified EKG Technician (EKG) certification provides credentials to electrocardiograph technicians (EKG/ECG technician) who perform EKG readings, Holter monitoring, stress tests, and other diagnostic tests to assist physicians in identifying and treating cardiovascular conditions.