If you want to start a fulfilling career in healthcare without spending years on education and training, you may want to consider becoming a patient care technician, or CPCT. Patient care technicians support nurses, doctors, and other providers by helping patients with medical and daily care needs.
But how long does it take to become a patient care technician? The answer depends on what kind of training you choose to pursue. Earning an associate degree can take 2 years, online PCT programs can last anywhere from 1 to 9 months, and on-the-job training can vary even more.
This guide will cover the different paths to becoming a patient care technician, how long each takes, and how to determine which is best for your career.
Overview - How Long Patient Care Technician Training & Certification Take
Once you have a high school diploma or GED, you can become a patient care technician in as little as a few months or as long as a few years. You’ll spend that time completing a training or education program, passing your certification exam, and finding your first job as a patient care tech.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how long it takes to complete the different types of patient care technician training, along with how much you can expect to pay:
How Long Online PCT Training Programs Take
Length of time: 1 to 9 months
For those looking to take the fastest path to becoming a patient care technician, online programs are the best bet. Accelerated programs can be completed in 1 to 3 months, while standard-length programs can take up to 9 months.
Depending on the program you choose, you’ll either attend remote classes with live instructors or study educational resources at your own pace.
You’ll learn essential skills like first aid, medical terminology, basic procedures, and more. Course content will prepare you to pass one of the national exams and earn your patient care technician certification.
Not including the fees associated with certification exams, online patient care technician training programs can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. This makes them one of the most affordable and convenient options.
Here at Stepful, we offer an 8-week, fully remote program for aspiring certified patient care technicians.
How Long PCT Certificate Programs at Community Colleges Take
Length of time: 3 to 12 months
If you’re looking for a more intensive experience than an online program that still won’t break the bank, pursuing a certificate program at a community college might be right for you. These programs offer a balance of the independent learning provided by online programs and the rigor of an associate degree program.
Depending on the college you choose, you might be attending online sessions, in-person classes, or a mix of both. Regardless of the setting, you’ll study the essential skills needed for patient care technician work, such as keeping medical records, taking vitals, and performing tests like EKGs.
Because these programs don’t award degrees, they tend to be cheaper than you might expect, although not as affordable as 100% online programs. Be ready to pay anywhere from a thousand to a few thousand dollars for this type of program.
How Long an Associate Degree from a Community College Takes
Length of time: At least 2 years
Willing to spend a little more for the most comprehensive training you can get? In that case, you may want to consider getting an associate degree from a community college in your area.
It takes about 2 years to earn an associate of applied science degree, the path most common for patient care technicians. To be clear, you don’t need an associate or bachelor’s degree to work as a PCT, and you’ll still need to take a certification exam after getting your degree.
So why would anyone study for a full degree when it isn’t necessary for certification? This path is best for those who have goals beyond becoming a patient care technician. Many people use the PCT job as a stepping stone and plan to pursue higher-level healthcare careers, like nursing. Having an associate degree can set you up to pursue those roles in the future.
The downside is that this is the most expensive option for patient care technician training. Even at a community college, an associate degree program will cost you thousands of dollars, not including the money you’ll spend on books, travel, exam fees, and more.
How Long Each Step of Becoming a Certified Patient Care Technician Takes
Now that you know how much your choice of training program can affect your total timeline for becoming a patient care technician, let’s discuss how long each step takes.
Step 1: Earn Your High sSchool Diploma or GED (4 years)
No matter what kind of training you hope to pursue, you’ll need a high school diploma or a GED before you can apply.
Step 2: Research, Enroll in, & Complete a PCT Training Program (1 month to 2 years)
Your next step will be choosing an online or in-person PCT training program. Accelerated programs can be as short as four weeks, while longer degree-conferring programs can last up to two years.
Our online PCT program here at Stepful-week, for example, takes 8 weeks to complete, and prepares you to test for your CPCT/A certification.
Step 3: Register For & Take Your Certification Exam (1 month)
Although you aren’t legally required to be certified to work as a patient care technician, most employers will expect you to be certified before you start.
High-quality training programs, like Stepful’s, prepare you to will to pass a national certification exam. Once you’ve taken your chosen exam, all you need to do is wait for your results. If you pass, you’ll be prepared to start looking for jobs. If not, you can continue to study and apply to take the exam again.
Step 4: Apply for Jobs (1 to 3 months)
Once you’re trained and certified, all that’s left to do is find your first full-time job as a certified patient care technician. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most PCTs nationwide are employed at nursing care facilities, hospitals, and retirement homes.
Assuming you already have a high school diploma or GED, the total time required to become a certified patient care technician is about 3 months to 2.5 years.
Do I Have to Complete a Patient Care Technician Training Program or School to Work?
You might be thinking you could save yourself a lot of time by skipping the training program or school and jumping straight into work, but that may not be the best path.
There are no federal guidelines about who can become a patient care technician, so each state determines its own requirements. This means that, depending on where you live, you might be able to become a PCT without formal training or certification.
However, the National Healthcare Career Association has found that 96% of employers require or encourage certification. Applying for jobs without training and certification may put you at the bottom of the list of applicants and could mean a lower starting salary.
Another factor at play is the type of workplace you hope to join. Most nursing homes and hospitals want their patient care technicians trained and certified, even if state laws don’t require it. So, applying for jobs without those qualifications will narrow your options when it comes to where you can work.
How Long the Patient Care Technician Certification Process Takes
Now that you know why certification is important, let’s go over how to get certified as a patient care technician step-by-step.
Step 1: Choose an Exam and Check the Eligibility Requirements (1 week)
Aspiring patient care technicians have multiple certification exams to choose from.
Your options include the Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) exam offered by American Allied Health, the NCPCT certification from the National Center for Competency Testing, and the Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) exam provided by the National Healthcareer Association.
If you’re not sure which exam to take, try checking the eligibility requirements, which usually include a particular type of training program or length of work experience. If you’re eligible for multiple exams, take the one your training program or school prepares you for.
Step 2: Schedule and Study for Your Exam (1 month)
Once you know which test you want to take, book your exam about a month in advance so you have time to study. Since PCTs have so many exam options, be sure to use a guide tailored to the specific certification you plan to earn.
You may want to give yourself extra time for exam prep if it’s been a while since you completed your training program or accumulated any relevant work experience.
Step 3: Take the Exam (1 day)
At your appointed time, you’ll log in and take the exam, either at an in-person testing center or under the guidance of an online proctor.
Step 4: Get Your Results (48 hours)
Just two days after you’ve taken the exam, your results should be ready for review. If you fail, repeat the process with a little more study time until you pass.
Keep in mind your certification will expire every so often, so you’ll need to pursue continuing education and take a quick exam to recertify every 2 years or so.
Learn More About Becoming a Patient Care Technician
- How to Become a Patient Care Technician (PCT)
- What Is a Patient Care Technician and How to Become One?
- Patient Care Technician Responsibilities & Duties
- Patient Care Technician Salary: How Much Do They Make, Responsibilities, & More
- Free & Cheapest PCT Programs Online
