Patient Care Technician Program FAQs

Q: Which Patient Care Tech certification exam am I eligible to take after completing this program?

Stepful’s Patient Care Technician program prepares you for the Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) exam, issued by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Our curriculum is aligned with NHA standards, ensuring that graduates are eligible to sit for this nationally recognized credential — one that many hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities require when hiring patient care technicians. The CPCT/A exam includes 120 multiple-choice questions and carries a fee of $160. The exam fee is not included in tuition, but students who register through Stepful may be eligible for a rebate on the exam fee, lowering the cost. You may take your NHA exam online or in-person. We’re proud to say Stepful students consistently score above the national average on the CPCT/A exam — a reflection of the quality instruction, curriculum, and support we provide every student.

Q: Is Stepful's Patient Care Technician program accredited?

Stepful’s Patient Care Technician program is not institutionally accredited like a college or university. Instead, our program is designed to prepare students for the Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) exam, which is issued by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) — an accredited certification agency recognized by employers nationwide. This means that when you complete the program, you are eligible to sit for the CPCT/A exam — a credential that many hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities recognize when hiring patient care technicians. We only accept students in regions where this credential is valid and widely recognized by employers. To confirm your eligibility, complete our free online application — it only takes a few minutes and will let you know right away if we serve your area.

Question 1

Do you help graduates find a job?

Accepted Answer

At Stepful, our mission is to break down barriers to healthcare careers and help every student move into a meaningful role after graduation. To support that mission, we offer a structured Job Coaching Program that guides graduates into full-time healthcare roles after certification.

Students begin with an 8-week Job Readiness Cohort that combines weekly live coaching, job search strategy, resume building, interview practice, and workplace success skills. Graduates also receive weekly job leads, and their resumes are shared with Stepful’s healthcare employer partners. For those who need additional support, Stepful provides up to 2 more months of on-demand 1:1 coaching, including mock interviews, resume reviews, and targeted job leads.

With this approach, about 60% of graduates secure jobs within 2 months and over 80% within 4 months of starting the job coaching program.

Question 2

Which Patient Care Tech certification exam am I eligible to take after completing this program?

Accepted Answer

Stepful’s Patient Care Technician program is 100% online for 2 months (8 weeks) of live classes and coursework.

After completing the online portion of the program and earning your national NHA CPCT certification, you'll be eligible to join our 8-week Job Coaching Program to secure a full-time job as a Patient Care Tech.

80% of students land full-time jobs within 4 months starting Job Coaching.

The CPCT/A exam includes 120 multiple-choice questions and carries a fee of $160. The exam fee is not included in tuition, but students who register through Stepful may be eligible for a rebate on the exam fee, lowering the cost. You may take your NHA exam online or in-person.

We’re proud to say Stepful students consistently score above the national average on the CPCT/A exam — a reflection of the quality instruction, curriculum, and support we provide every student.

Question 3

Does the NHA CPCT/A certification count for college credit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The NHA CPCT/A exam is approved by the American Council on Education (ACE) for 4 semester hours of college credit (lower-division level) when accepted by a college or university.

Once you pass, you’ll receive an ACE transcript via Credly. Keep in mind: each school decides whether to accept the credit and how it applies to your degree.

Question 4

Is Stepful's Patient Care Technician program accredited?

Accepted Answer

Stepful’s Patient Care Technician program is 100% online for 2 months (8 weeks) of live classes and coursework.

After completing the online portion of the program and earning your national NHA CPCT certification, you'll be eligible to join our 8-week Job Coaching Program to secure a full-time job as a Patient Care Tech.

80% of students land full-time jobs within 4 months starting Job Coaching.

This means that when you complete the program, you are eligible to sit for the CPCT/A exam — a credential that many hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities recognize when hiring patient care technicians. We only accept students in regions where this credential is valid and widely recognized by employers.

To confirm your eligibility, complete our free online application — it only takes a few minutes and will let you know right away if we serve your area.

Question 5

Is Stepful legit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Stepful is a trusted education provider with a proven track record of preparing students for healthcare careers. More than 8,000 clinical partners nationwide host our students for externships, and over 30,000 students are actively enrolled today.

Stepful was also recently recognized by TIME Magazine as the #1 edtech company in the United States, a reflection of the quality and impact of our programs.

Question 6

What is included in Stepful’s Patient Care Technician program tuition?

Accepted Answer

The Patient Care Technician program includes access to your online classroom, weekly live classes with an instructor, and NHA CPCT/A mock exams.

While no clinical hours are required, the program includes an 8-week Job Coaching Program to help you land a full-time job. No textbooks are required — all learning materials are available in your online classroom.

Question 7

Is the program online or in-person? How long is the program?

Accepted Answer

Stepful’s Patient Care Technician program is 100% online for 2 months (8 weeks) of live classes and coursework.

After completing the online portion of the program and earning your national NHA CPCT certification, you'll be eligible to join our 8-week Job Coaching Program to secure a full-time job as a Patient Care Tech. 80% of students land full-time jobs within 4 months starting Job Coaching.

Question 8

How do online classes work at Stepful?

Accepted Answer

Classes meet live on Zoom twice a week for 90 minutes each. Between sessions, you’ll complete daily assignments, quizzes, and projects in the online classroom. Coursework is unlocked one week at a time so you can stay focused without feeling overwhelmed.

Group projects and interactive activities keep learning engaging and help you apply skills in real-world scenarios. As you progress, you’ll take mock exams and focused prep sessions to prepare for the NHA CPCT/A exam.

All materials are included online — no textbooks required. The program is built to give you the structure, practice, and support you need to feel confident, earn your certification, and graduate job-ready for a full-time healthcare role.

Question 9

What is the refund policy?

Accepted Answer

Stepful offers a 3-day money-back guarantee on all tuition and fees for students who withdraw within 3 days of signing up. After classes begin, students may withdraw within the first two weeks and receive a full refund of tuition.

Enrollment fees are non-refundable after the 3-day guarantee period. Please note that there may be additional flexibility depending on your state’s refund regulations.

Question 10

What are the requirements to enroll?

Accepted Answer

To enroll in any Stepful program, you must meet the following requirements:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• 18 years or older
• Valid government-issued ID
• Authorization to work in the United States

Our Patient Care Technician program does not currently operate in all states and zip codes. We only accept students in locations where we can confidently support their externship placement and job search after graduation. These restrictions are in place to make sure every student has a strong opportunity to transition into a full-time healthcare role.

The best way to confirm your eligibility for the Patient Care Tech program is to complete our free online application. It only takes a few minutes and will let you know right away if we serve your area.

Question 11

What tuition payment options are available?

Accepted Answer

Tuition can be paid upfront or through biweekly installments using Stepful’s flexible payment plans. We’re committed to keeping our programs as affordable as possible, which is why we offer generous grants for new applicants that significantly reduce tuition costs.

Visit our Affordability page to explore the different ways to lower tuition — including grants, payment plans, and other funding options.

Question 12

How much does Stepful's Patient Care Technician program cost?

Accepted Answer

The full tuition for Stepful’s Patient Care Technician program is $1,440. However, most students qualify for Stepful’s generous grants, which lower the cost to $940.

Your exact tuition depends on your individual eligibility. The best way to find out your cost is to complete our free online application — it only takes a few minutes and will show you your personalized tuition right away.

All required learning materials are included at no extra cost. Flexible payment plans are also available to make tuition more manageable. You can also visit our Affordability page to learn more about grants, discounts, and other ways to lower tuition.

Online Patient Care Technician Program

8 Week Patient Care Technician training

Receive your national CPCT certification

No in-person clinical hours required

Job coaching and resume services

3-Day money back guarantee available

How to become a Patient Care Tech

8-Week online class

National certification

Land a full-time job

Earn your Patient Care Technician certification online

Issuing authority

Patient Care Technician classes at your own schedule

What you’ll learn

Weeks 1-2

Weeks 3-4

Weeks 5-6

Weeks 7-8

Job ready with Stepful

$38,130 Median Annual Salary*

80% Certification pass rate

80% Job placement rate

Part-Time Morning or Evening

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