Patient Care Technician Programs by State | Training & Certification Guide
Your complete guide to becoming a Patient Care Technician. Find accredited training programs, certification requirements, salary data, and career advancement opportunities in your state.
A Patient Care Technician (PCT) is a vital healthcare professional who provides essential hands-on care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and medical facilities. PCTs work under the supervision of nurses and physicians to ensure patient comfort, monitor vital signs, assist with daily living activities, and support medical procedures.
$35,896Average Annual Salary
4-12Weeks Training
5%Job Growth (BLS)
50States Covered
Core PCT Responsibilities
Vital Signs Monitoring: Taking and recording blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiratory rates
Patient Care: Assisting with bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility
Medical Support: Performing EKGs, phlebotomy, catheter care, and wound dressing changes
Documentation: Maintaining accurate patient records and reporting changes to nursing staff
Equipment Care: Maintaining and sanitizing medical equipment
Patient Comfort: Providing emotional support and ensuring patient dignity
💡 Why Choose PCT?
PCTs are in HIGH demand across the United States. With a short training period (4-12 weeks), affordable costs ($1,500-$4,500), and excellent career advancement opportunities to LPN, RN, and specialized healthcare roles, becoming a PCT is one of the fastest paths into healthcare.
💻 Find Accredited PCT Programs Near You --
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🚀 Career Advancement Pathways from PCT
As a Patient Care Technician, you have multiple pathways to advance your healthcare career. Here are the most popular career progression options:
📊 PCT → Medical Coder
$47,180/year
Timeline: 6-12 months
Why This Path? Leverage your healthcare knowledge to transition into a high-paying, remote-friendly coding career.
Your PCT experience provides a solid foundation for any of these career paths. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement for continuing education!
PCT vs CNA vs LPN: Understanding the Differences
Many aspiring healthcare professionals wonder about the differences between Patient Care Technicians (PCT), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). Here's a clear comparison:
Role
Training
Salary
Scope of Practice
CNA
4-12 weeks 75-150 hours
$30,830/year
Basic patient care, vital signs, ADLs
PCT
4-16 weeks 150-600 hours
$35,896/year
CNA duties + EKG, phlebotomy, catheter care
LPN
12-18 months 1,500+ hours
$54,620/year
PCT duties + medications, IVs, wound care
Key Differences Explained
CNA: Entry-level position focused on basic patient care and activities of daily living (ADLs)
PCT: Expanded role that includes CNA skills PLUS clinical procedures like EKG, phlebotomy, and catheter care
LPN: Licensed nurse who can administer medications, start IVs, and perform advanced clinical assessments
💼 Which Path is Right for You?
Choose CNA if: You want the fastest entry into healthcare (4-6 weeks)
Choose PCT if: You want expanded clinical skills and higher pay than CNA (8-12 weeks)
Choose LPN if: You want a licensed nursing role with prescriptive responsibilities (12-18 months)
🗺️ Find Patient Care Technician Programs by State
Select your state to view accredited PCT programs, certification requirements, average salaries, and employment outlook specific to your location:
Health Requirements: Immunizations, TB test, drug screening
CPR Certification: BLS/CPR from AHA or Red Cross
Training Program Components
Classroom Instruction: 80-400 hours of didactic education
Clinical Practice: 40-200 hours of supervised clinical experience
Skills Training: EKG, phlebotomy, vital signs, catheter care
Duration: 4-16 weeks depending on program intensity
Cost: $1,500-$4,500 (varies by state and school)
National Certification Exams
After completing your training, you'll need to pass one of these nationally recognized exams:
CPCT/A (NHA): Certified Patient Care Technician/Advanced by National Healthcareer Association
PCTC (NHA): Patient Care Technician Certification by National Healthcareer Association
NCPCT (NCCT): National Certified Patient Care Technician by National Center for Competency Testing
💡 Pro Tip: Some states require CNA certification BEFORE enrolling in PCT programs. Check your state's specific requirements on the state-specific pages above.
💻 Find Accredited PCT Programs Near You --
By submitting, you agree to receive information from schools that match your interests.
🎯 Ready to Start Your PCT Career?
Take the first step toward a rewarding healthcare career today. Here's what to do next:
Choose Your State: Browse programs in your state using the links above
Research Programs: Compare training costs, duration, and accreditation
Contact Schools: Reach out to program coordinators for enrollment information
Complete Prerequisites: Obtain CPR certification and required health screenings
Enroll & Train: Complete your PCT training program (4-16 weeks)
Pass Certification Exam: Take the CPCT/A, PCTC, or NCPCT exam
Start Your Career: Apply to hospitals, nursing homes, and medical facilities
