PCT (AMT) - Patient Care Technician

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) certification validates the knowledge and skills of patient care technicians. American Medical Technologists (AMT) offers the PCT exam.

Eligibility

To be eligible to take the PCT exam, applicants must meet all the requirements within one of 4 pathways:

• PCT Education Pathway

  • Graduated from (or scheduled to graduate from) a patient care technician program within the last 4 years

  • Provide a copy of official transcripts

  • Have at least 6 months of full-time experience as a PCT within the last 3 years, if graduated more than 4 years ago

• Medical/Nursing Assistant Education Pathway

  • Graduated from (or scheduled to graduate from) a Medical/Nursing Assistant program within the last 4 years

  • Completion of supplementary training in patient care competencies or experience as a PCT

  • Provide a copy of official transcripts

  • Have at least 6 months of full-time experience as a PCT within the last 3 years, if graduated more than 4 years ago

• Experience Pathway

  • Worked at least 1 year as a full-time or part-time equivalent patient care technician within the last 3 years

  • Provide a copy of high school diploma or GED

• Instructor Pathway

  • Graduated from a patient care technician program or another related healthcare program with the relevant PCT competencies

  • Worked at least 1 year as an instructor of a patient care technician program or related program within the last 3 years

Completion Time: Candidates have 2.5 hours to complete the CMLA exam

Cost

• Initial testing fee: $135

• Retest fee: $100

Exam Format

The PCT exam includes 200 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have 2.5 hours to complete the exam with a minimum passing scaled score of 70. PCT exam topics include:

• Allied Health Foundations (76 questions/38%)

• Personal Patient Assistance and Care (42 questions/21%)

• Clinical Procedures (67 questions/33.5%)

• Clinical Patient Environment (15 questions/7.5%)

Test Dates

Applicants can register to take the exam anytime Monday through Saturday based on availability at their selected Pearson VUE Testing Center.

Test Results

Test results appear on the computer screen after test completion. AMT also mails a detailed score report to examinees.

Online Application

• Go to the certification website 

• Click “Apply Now” next to the correct eligibility pathway

• Create an account or log in

• Select “Patient Care Technician (PCT)”

• Click the correct eligibility pathway

• Enter contact information

• Enter education and training information

• Enter employment history

• Click “Agree” under the Examinee Agreement

• Click “Submit:

• Enter payment information

Allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing. AMT issues an Authorization to Test (ATT) upon approval.

PCT is valid for 3 years, and certification holders must pay an annual fee. Renewal applicants renew by retaking the exam or earning Certification Continuation Program (CCP) points.

Renewal by Exam

• Print the Recertification by Exam form 

• Insert contact information

• Check the box next to “Patient Care Technician (PCT)”

• Answer personal information

• Sign and date the Examinee Agreement

• Check the box next to “PCT”

• Insert payment information

• Submit by emailing to [email protected] or mailing to American Medical Technologists, 10700 West Higgins Road, Suite 150, Rosemont, IL 60018

Once AMT processes applications, candidates receive an ATT and can schedule their exam with Pearson VUE.

Renewal by CCPs

• Print the Recertification by CCP form

• Complete the checklist

• Insert contact information

• Check the box next to “Patient Care Technician (PCT)”

• Answer personal information

• Insert CCP information

• Sign and date the Attestation

• Check the box next to “PCT”

• Insert payment information

• Submit by emailing to [email protected] or mailing to American Medical Technologists, 10700 West Higgins Road, Suite 150, Rosemont, IL 60018

Renewal Fees

Annual fee of $75, plus

• Renewal by Exam: $205

• Renewal by CCPs: $205

To be eligible for renewal, applicants must:

• Hold a current, active PCT certification from the AMT

• Complete 30 CCPs or retake the PCT exam

• Pay renewal fee

Part of the renewal process requires 30 CCP points. Qualifying activities include:

• Professional Education (no maximum)

• Formal Education (45 points maximum)

• Authorship of Scholarly Works (no maximum)

• Instructional Presentations (no maximum)

• Organizational Participation (9 points maximum)

For full information, refer to the Qualified CCP activities. Applicants can track their CCP points on AMTs online portal, AMTrax.

AMT provides several resources to help prepare for the PCT exam, including:

• PCT Content Outline

• Certification Handbook

• PCT Reference Materials

The AMT also offers the following certifications:

• Medical Technologist (MT)

• Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)

• Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA)

• Certified Laboratory Consultant (CLC)

• Molecular Diagnostics Technologist (MDT)

• Certified Medical Administrative Specialist (CMAS)

• Phlebotomy Technician (RPT)

• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)