$191 to start
$2,200 total
Financial aid (may be available)
Financial aid (may be available)
Financial aid (may be available)
$5,300 total
$6,400 total
$4,075 total
$6,400 total
No cost info
No cost info
No cost info
No cost info
$249 total
$1,000 total
EKG technician training in Memphis starts at $1,500 and takes as little as 12 weeks. The Memphis metro pays an average of $58,620 per year for this role, and Shelby County's cardiovascular disease burden, among the highest in Tennessee, keeps cardiac testing volume steady at Baptist Memorial, Methodist Le Bonheur, and Regional One Health.
MedCerts is the most accessible starting point for Memphis-area students, with a fully online format and local externship placement. Two campus-based programs round out the options.
MedCerts
Southwest Tennessee Community College
Concorde Career College
EKG technicians attach electrodes to patients, run electrocardiogram tests, and deliver the readings to physicians for diagnosis. In Memphis, that work happens across a wide range of settings: cardiac catheterization labs at Baptist Memorial, emergency departments at Regional One Health's Level 1 trauma center, and outpatient cardiology clinics throughout Shelby County.
On a typical shift, a Memphis EKG technician might:
Memphis's older population and high cardiovascular disease rates mean EKG techs here run more cardiac tests per shift than techs in many other mid-South metros.
Most programs require a high school diploma or GED and a minimum age of 18. Some accept 17-year-olds with parental consent. A background check and drug screening are standard at clinical sites in Shelby County. Find EKG technician programs in Memphis to see which program fits your timeline and budget.
Pick a program based on your schedule and how you learn best. MedCerts works well if you need flexibility around a job or family, since it's fully online with an externship matched near you. Southwest Tennessee is the cheapest route if you can attend daytime classes on campus. Concorde is the longest but gives you the most clinical hours before graduation.
Tennessee does not require a state license for EKG technicians, but Memphis employers expect the Certified EKG Technician (CET) credential from the National Healthcareer Association. Baptist Memorial, Methodist Le Bonheur, and Regional One Health all list it as preferred or required in their job postings. The exam covers EKG procedures, cardiac anatomy, and patient safety.
Baptist Memorial Health Care operates 22 hospitals across the region. Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare runs seven hospitals in the metro. Regional One Health is the city's only Level 1 trauma center. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Memphis VA Medical Center also staff EKG technicians. Start with the career portals at these five systems.
EKG technicians in the Memphis metro earn an average of $58,620 per year, which runs above Tennessee's statewide average for cardiovascular technologists and technicians.
Shelby County reports one of the state's highest heart disease mortality rates. From 2018 to 2020, heart disease accounted for 21.8% of all deaths in the county, or roughly 2,000 fatalities per year. That sustained cardiac burden means hospitals here staff more EKG technicians per bed than lower-acuity markets.
Baptist Memorial Health Care, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, and Regional One Health are the three largest employers for this role in the metro. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Memphis VA Medical Center also hire EKG technicians on a smaller scale.
The BLS projects employment for cardiovascular technologists and technicians to grow by 3% from 2024 to 2034, roughly matching the national average across all occupations.
MedCerts is the most affordable accredited program with externship placement, at $2,200 total. Southwest Tennessee's certificate comes in at roughly $1,500 but does not include a built-in externship. Concorde's diploma runs about $15,000. Here's how to offset those costs:
Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA): Accredited programs may qualify for federal grants and student loans. Southwest Tennessee, as a public college, is the most straightforward FAFSA path.
WIOA Funding: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act covers tuition for eligible adults. Contact the Greater Memphis Local Workforce Development Board to check eligibility.
MyCAA and Military Benefits: Active-duty military spouses can use MyCAA at qualifying schools, including MedCerts. Service members may also apply GI Bill benefits.
Payment Plans: MedCerts starts at $173/month. Ask Southwest Tennessee and Concorde about installment options directly.
Employer Reimbursement: Baptist Memorial and Methodist Le Bonheur both offer tuition assistance programs for employees pursuing clinical certifications. If you're already working in a Memphis hospital in a non-clinical role, ask HR about reimbursement before you enroll.
How much does an EKG technician make in Memphis?
The Memphis metro average is $58,620 per year according to BLS data. Technicians with additional credentials like Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT) or experience in cardiac catheterization labs can earn above that average.
What is the fastest EKG technician program near Memphis?
MedCerts offers a 12-week fully online program with an externship matched near Memphis. It's the fastest accredited option that includes hands-on clinical training.
Do I need a license to work as an EKG technician in Tennessee?
No. Tennessee does not require a state-issued license for EKG technicians. Memphis employers still expect the CET credential from the National Healthcareer Association, and some job postings list it as required rather than preferred.
Which Memphis hospitals hire the most EKG technicians?
Baptist Memorial Health Care and Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare are the two largest employers in the metro. Regional One Health, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and the Memphis VA Medical Center also hire for this role regularly.
Can I take EKG classes online if I live in Memphis?
Yes. MedCerts offers a fully online EKG program and matches students with externship sites in the Memphis area for the hands-on portion. You complete coursework on your own schedule and do clinical hours locally.
Shelby County's cardiac care demand isn't slowing down, and Memphis's hospital systems need technicians who can run EKGs accurately and efficiently. Training takes 12 weeks at the short end, the CET exam is passable on the first attempt with solid preparation, and the $58,620 average salary means the investment pays for itself within months of landing a full-time position. Start your EKG technician training in Memphis today.
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