Becoming a patient care technician (PCT) can be a smart move if you want an entry-level healthcare role with real responsibility, steady demand, and a path to more advanced jobs in the future.

But how much does it cost to become a patient care technician? How much do PCT programs and certifications cost?

PCT training programs cost anywhere from $500 to $10,000, depending on whether you choose an online course, a community college program, or a longer degree track.

PCT certification exam fees range from $110 to $165 and require recertification or renewal dues every year or two.

This guide will go over typical PCT program and certification costs and how to decide which path makes the most financial sense for you.

We’ll also explain your options for covering or offsetting the cost of training, so you don’t have to take on unnecessary debt.

How Much Patient Care Technician Programs Cost

There is no single “right” path to becoming a PCT. How you train and the time it takes to get certified will affect how much it costs.

In general, the faster and more focused the training is, the lower your total cost will be. However, your long-term goals may make it worthwhile to invest more in your training now.

Online PCT programs are typically the cheapest, followed by community colleges, then associate degree programs.

Let’s take a look at each:

Cost of Online PCT Programs

Online PCT programs let you complete coursework remotely, often at a faster pace than traditional programs.

These programs cover topics like basic patient care, infection control, vital signs, EKGs, and phlebotomy, and prepare you to pass a national certification exam.

Pricing varies based on what is included, like instructor support, labs, clinical requirements, exam prep, and more. A typical online program can range anywhere from $500 to $5,000.

Stepful offers an 8-week online Patient Care Technician program designed to prepare you for the National Healthcare Career Association’s CPCT/A exam.

It includes weekly live classes, mock exams, resume services, and career coaching. All learning materials are included.

Costs vary based on Stepful offers grants and payment plans to help make tuition more affordable.

Like most online programs, Stepful’s program is designed to get you trained, certified, and into a full-time, paying position as soon as possible, as affordably as possible.

Here are some examples of other online PCT programs and their costs:

• Phlebotomy Career Training: $550 to $700. This is an online, self-paced PCT program for people with at least 6 months of experience in patient care. The cost is $550 for the online course or $700 for the in-person classroom course.
• U.S. Career Institute: $979 to $1,279. Another online, self-paced patient care technician program that takes most people 4 to 7 months to complete. The cost is $979 if you pay in full or $1,279 if you pay monthly. Tuition includes electronic learning materials and the cost of the certification exam.
• Advanced eClinical Training: $3,300. A self-paced, 100% online program with an externship included. The program cost is $3,300 with options for adding a practice kit or mentoring in certain areas for additional fees. 
• MedCerts: $4,000. A 24-week online course that prepares you for multiple certifications, including PCT, phlebotomy, and EKG. The cost is $4,000 and includes certification exam costs. They have grants available and offer monthly, weekly, and bi-weekly payment plans.

Cost of a PCT Certificate Program at a Community College

Community college PCT certificate programs are often a blend of classroom learning and hands-on training.

Some are credit-bearing programs, which makes them eligible for certain types of financial aid.

Others are workforce or continuing education certificates, which are often faster but not always eligible for federal aid.

In some cases, community college options can be cost-effective because public colleges often have lower in-district tuition. But your total cost depends on where you live, the number of credits needed, and extra fees for things like labs, uniforms, books, and supplies.

So “cheaper” does not always mean “cheap.” It means your base tuition rate may be lower, while the add-ons vary.

A common range for community college PCT programs is from $1,000 to more than $6,000, with added program fees and required supplies.

Here are three examples:

• Tarrant County College in Texas. This 12-week program prepares you for 3 certifications: PCT, phlebotomy, and EKG technician. If you are in-state and in-county, your tuition would be $1,110, not including textbooks and other materials.
• Seminole State College of Florida. This online program is designed to take 12 months. The tuition is $2,995 and includes all instructional materials and a voucher to pay for the certification exam. This is a non-credit course, so it does not qualify for federal aid.
• Atlantic Technical College in South Florida. This classroom-based program is full-time for 6 months. In-state tuition plus fees and materials is $2,133; for out-of-staters, it would be $7,173. When you’re done, you can get credits from this program transferred to a state college associate’s degree program.

Cost of Patient Care Technician Associate Degree Programs

If you want to become a PCT and earn an associate’s degree at the same time, it is usually done through an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) track. In this case, the AAS would include PCT training as part of a broader health professions program.

These programs usually take longer, often about two years, which can raise your total cost even if per-credit tuition is relatively affordable.

The cost for an associate’s degree can range from $6,000 to more than $25,000. Variables include whether you qualify for in-district or in-state rates, how many credits you need, and what the costs are for fees, books, commuting, and living expenses.

Here’s one example: 

• ‍Collin College in Texas offers an AAS in Health Professions with a PCT track. It requires 60 credit hours and takes 2 years to complete. For in-state and in-county residents, the tuition is $67 per credit, which would make this degree $4,020. Texas residents outside the county pay $127 per credit, and out-of-staters pay $202 per credit.

The time and expense of an associate’s degree is more than the other options we have covered. However, if you plan to continue your education, for example, by completing a 4-year degree in nursing, then this path might be worth the investment.

Otherwise, your job outlook as a PCT doesn’t change based on if you completed an online program or an associate degree.

Cost of Patient Care Technician Certifications

Even after you pay for training, you will usually pay separately for your certification exam.

To keep your certification active past a year or two, there will be continuing education requirements and renewal or recertification fees.

Below are the major PCT certifications and their costs.

Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) offered by American Allied Health

• _Initial cost: There is a $110 exam fee.
• Recurring or ongoing costs: To keep your certification current, you must complete 5 continuing education credits and pay dues each year.

Patient Care Technician (NCPCT) from the National Center for Competency Testing

• Initial cost: There is a $119 exam fee.
• Recurring or ongoing costs: NCCT has an annual recertification process. It requires the completion of continuing education hours and the payment of a recertification fee. 

Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) from the National Healthcareer Association

• Initial cost: There is a $165 exam fee.
• Recurring or ongoing costs: To keep your credential current, you must complete 10 hours of continuing education credits and pay a renewal fee every two years.

Deciding Which Patient Care Technician Program Makes the Most Financial Sense for You

The best value program is the one that gets you qualified for the job you want without making you pay for time, features, or credentials you do not need.

The key question for most people is: How fast do I need to start working?

If you want to get into the workforce quickly, shorter online programs that lead to certification usually win out. Your total cost will be less because you spend less time in school and can start earning sooner.

Next, look closely at what the price includes. Two programs that seem to cost the same can have very different real costs. For example:

• Does tuition include exam prep materials, practice tests, and support?
• Are there extra fees for labs, supplies, background checks, immunizations, or uniforms? These can add up fast.
• Will you need to take time off work, commute, or pay for childcare to attend in-person classes? Those “non-tuition” costs matter.

You can also look at job listings in your area and see what employers expect. In many markets, hiring managers care more about whether you have been trained and certified than whether you took classes at a community college versus online.

The National Healthcareer Association found that 96% of employers require or encourage certification for PCTs. That shows that certification, rather than a particular degree, is one of the most important factors for getting hired.

If you are choosing between a short online program and a longer college path, it often comes down to your bigger goal:

• If you want fast entry into a healthcare career, a shorter training program plus certification is usually the most cost-effective route.
• If you plan to continue into nursing or another degree program in the future, a college-based path may help you stack credits toward your longer-term goal.

In general, online programs often offer the most bang for your buck because they are shorter, are designed around certification, and can cost less overall.

There are even some PCT programs you can attend for free or very cheaply if you meet certain eligibility requirements.

Paying for Patient Care Technician Schooling or Training

How you will pay for PCT training is a critical piece of the decision. There are grants, student aid, private loans, payment plans, and other programs to help you afford your training.

Exploring which of these are available for the programs you are interested in may help you decide.

PCT training is generally affordable, but you still need a plan so you don’t end up paying more than you need to. A good approach is to stack funding sources in this order:

1. Free money first, like scholarships, grants, and employer sponsorship or education benefits
2. Then, payment plans and savings
3. Then, federal student loans, if you need them
4. Finally, private loans only as a last resort

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants are often the best place to start when paying for PCT training because they typically do not need to be repaid.

These funds can come from training providers, government programs, or military and workforce organizations.

Availability and eligibility vary, so it is worth exploring more than one option. Here are some ideas of where to look:

• ‍Need-based tuition grants. Many training providers, like Stepful, offer these grants to students who demonstrate financial need. They reduce the upfront cost of tuition. Eligibility is usually based on income and personal circumstances, and awards may cover part or all of your program cost, depending on the provider.‍
• Local workforce board funding. Many states and counties offer workforce development funding for in-demand healthcare roles like patient care technicians. These programs often support job seekers who are unemployed, underemployed, or changing careers. They may cover a large portion of training costs if you qualify.‍
• Military funding. Active duty service members, reservists, National Guard members, veterans, and military spouses may be eligible for education funding through military or Department of Defense-supported programs. These benefits can help pay for career training and certification programs outside of traditional college degrees.

Sometimes these awards are small amounts, but multiple small scholarships can still make a real dent in your costs.

Stepful’s Affordability page is a great place to start exploring payment options.

Employer Sponsorship

Many employers offer workforce development or tuition assistance programs to help employees advance their careers. Some employers offer tuition assistance even if the program is not directly related to their business.

However, if you already work in healthcare, even in a non-clinical role, your employer is one of the first places you should look for help. Healthcare employers often help pay for training in exchange for a work commitment or as part of employee education benefits.

Employee sponsorship may come as upfront tuition coverage or reimbursement after you complete the program and start your new role.

Payment Plans and Savings

Most online programs are designed to be flexible so that you can continue working while completing them.

Many PCT training programs, like Stepful’s, also offer bi-weekly or monthly payment plans so that you can pay for training as you go. This makes tuition more affordable since you can pay over time using your income rather than taking out a loan that charges interest.

Another way to reduce or avoid interest costs is to use savings, even for just part of the amount. A few realistic ways people do this:

• Save a small set amount from each paycheck for 6 to 10 weeks.
• Use a tax refund to cover part of tuition or exam fees.
• Split the costs. For example, use savings for program tuition, then pay the certification exam fee with your regular income.

Even if savings only cover your exam fee or supplies, it can reduce how much you need to borrow.

Student Loans

Loans can help if you have a funding gap, but the type of loan matters.

Federal student loans are preferred over private loans because:

• They have more borrower protections.
• They almost always have lower interest rates.
• They offer more repayment options, including income-driven repayment.

·   They your debt in certain situations.

Federal loans typically require that your school or program participates in the federal aid system, so you’ll need to check that with your program. Many online PCT programs don’t qualify for federal financial aid.

Private student loans should be used cautiously because:

• They often have higher interest rates.
• They typically do not offer the same flexibility as federal loans.
• They usually do not offer income-driven repayment plans or loan forgiveness.

Before borrowing, compare the monthly payment you will have to make on the loan to what you expect to earn in a month as a new PCT. Make sure you’ll be able to handle the payment realistically.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The FAFSA helps schools determine whether you qualify for federal aid like grants, work-study, and loans. It can also be used for state and school-based aid decisions.

FAFSA is most relevant for community colleges and degree programs that participate in federal aid. Some providers, like Stepful, do not participate in federal financial aid programs, so whether you fill out this form will depend on the program you want to do.

If the program you want to do uses the FAFSA, apply as early as you can each year, because some aid is limited and deadlines vary by state and school. You can check the key FAFSA deadlines on the website for the U.S. Department of Education.