EKG Technician Hybrid Program
EKG Technician — Hybrid
Hybrid · Open Enrollment · 80 Hours Theory + 4-Hour Lab + 80-Hour Externship · San Diego Campus
BLS/ALS Certification Required: All EKG Technician students must complete a BLS/ALS certification class offered at WMTC in addition to their program coursework. This class is included in your tuition. If you selected Option A (Supported Orientation), your CPR/BLS certification is conducted as part of your orientation session — no separate booking is needed. If you selected Option B (Self-Guided), simply choose a Friday or Sunday CPR session that works for your schedule and register through the Student Portal. View CPR/BLS program details →
Program Description
The EKG Technician Hybrid program at WMTC prepares students to perform electrocardiograms, monitor cardiac rhythms, and support clinical teams in a variety of healthcare settings. The program combines 80 hours of self-paced online theory with a 4-hour in-person hands-on lab, BLS/ALS certification, and an 80-hour supported clinical externship — all at your own pace.
Students choose their orientation path at enrollment: a Supported Orientation (in-person session at our San Diego campus, which includes BLS/ALS certification) or an In-Lab Orientation (self-guided online start with curriculum access provided immediately — no in-person orientation required). Both paths lead to the same national certification exam.
There is no fixed start date. Students begin when they enroll, work through online theory independently, complete their BLS/ALS requirement, book their hands-on lab when ready, sit for the NHA CET exam, and then complete their clinical externship.
NHA CET CertificationWhat is an EKG Technician?
An EKG (electrocardiogram) technician is responsible for conducting diagnostic tests to monitor the electrical activity of patients' hearts. Their duties include preparing patients for the procedure, applying electrodes to specific locations on the patient's body, operating electrocardiograph machines to record heart activity, performing various types of EKG tests, and ensuring the accuracy and clarity of recorded data. EKG technicians assist healthcare providers by organizing test results and maintaining accurate records for review. They play a crucial role in assisting healthcare professionals in diagnosing and monitoring heart conditions.
Where Can I Work?
EKG technicians have a range of employment opportunities across various healthcare settings where cardiac monitoring and diagnostic testing are conducted.
Program Structure
Step 1 — Choose Your Orientation Path: At enrollment, EKG Hybrid students select one of two orientation options. Both paths include the same curriculum, BLS/ALS requirement, hands-on lab, national exam, externship, and job placement support.
Option A — Supported Orientation (In-Person): Attend one of WMTC's scheduled in-person Orientation sessions at our San Diego campus. Orientation includes a full program welcome, platform access setup, instructor introduction, certification pathway overview, and your BLS/ALS certification — all completed in one session.
Option B — In-Lab Orientation (Self-Guided): Students who prefer to start immediately receive curriculum access upon enrollment. No in-person orientation session is required. Students work through online theory at their own pace from day one, then select and attend one of WMTC's offered BLS/ALS sessions when ready.
Step 2 — Online Self-Paced Theory (80 Hours): All students complete 80 hours of structured online coursework covering EKG theory, rhythm interpretation, clinical application, real-world case scenarios, and exam preparation. Ongoing instructor support is available throughout.
Step 3 — BLS/ALS Certification: All EKG Technician students must hold a current AHA BLS/ALS certification before sitting for the national exam. Students who selected Supported Orientation complete BLS/ALS as part of their in-person orientation day. Students who selected In-Lab Orientation will need to select and attend one of WMTC's offered BLS/ALS sessions — available Fridays 11 AM–3 PM, Sundays 1:30–5:30 PM, and Mondays 12–4 PM.
Step 4 — In-Person Hands-On Lab (4 Hours): When ready, students book one of the monthly 4-hour EKG Skills Labs at our San Diego Learning Lab (Mondays, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM). This instructor-led session covers hands-on lead placement, EKG machine operation, rhythm recognition, simulated patient interaction, and clinical professionalism.
Step 5 — National Certification Exam: After completing online theory, BLS/ALS certification, and the hands-on lab, students are eligible to sit for the NHA Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam. WMTC strongly encourages students to take and pass the national exam before beginning their externship.
Step 6 — Clinical Externship (80 Hours): After passing the national exam, students complete an 80-hour supported clinical externship at a WMTC-coordinated site. WMTC works closely with each student to secure a placement, and externship support includes resume review, mock interview preparation, and professional development coaching.
Step 7 — Job Placement Support: Upon completing the externship, WMTC provides dedicated job placement support to help graduates launch their healthcare career. This includes assistance with job search strategy, employer connections, interview coaching, and ongoing guidance until placement is secured.
San Diego Campus — In-Person Requirements
The Supported Orientation session and the 4-hour In-Person Hands-On Lab must both be completed at our San Diego Learning Lab (1814 Fifth Ave, Suite 101, San Diego, CA 92101). Please do not enroll in the Hybrid program unless you are able to attend at least one in-person session in San Diego.
Students who select In-Lab Orientation (Option B) still need to attend one in-person lab session. The only in-person requirement for Option B students is the 4-hour monthly lab.
Friday Night EKG Study Nights — Included at No Extra Cost
Every Friday evening, WMTC hosts open study sessions at our San Diego Learning Lab (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM PST). Four of these Fridays each semester are dedicated EKG Study Nights — focused review sessions covering rhythm interpretation, lead placement, EKG machine operation, and exam prep.
EKG Study Night dates (Fall 2026): September 11 · October 9 · November 6 · December 18. All are Fridays, 4:00 – 6:00 PM PST at 1814 Fifth Ave, Suite 101, San Diego.
These are completely separate from the Monday In-Person Hands-On Lab. Study Nights are open to all enrolled WMTC students at no additional charge — sign up through your Student Portal once enrolled.
Looking for the Online-Only Option?
The EKG Technician Online program ($900) includes the same 80-hour self-paced theory and monthly in-person lab, but does not include Supported Orientation, BLS/ALS certification, or the 80-hour clinical externship.
If you want hands-on clinical experience, BLS/ALS certification, and a more guided path to employment, the Hybrid program is the better fit.
Upcoming Supported Orientation Dates
October 6, 2026 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
October 19, 2026 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
November 2, 2026 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
November 16, 2026 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
December 7, 2026 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
December 21, 2026 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
January 5, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
January 19, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
February 2, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
February 16, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
March 1, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
March 15, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
March 29, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
April 12, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
April 26, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
May 10, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
May 24, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
June 7, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
June 21, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
July 5, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
July 19, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
August 2, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
August 16, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
August 30, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
September 13, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
September 27, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
October 11, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
October 25, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
November 8, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
November 22, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
December 6, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
December 20, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Upcoming In-Person Hands-On Lab Dates
October 19, 2026 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
November 16, 2026 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
December 21, 2026 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
January 19, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
February 15, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
March 15, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
April 19, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
May 17, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
June 21, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
July 19, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
August 16, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
September 20, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
October 18, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
November 15, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
December 20, 2027 — Monday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Program Dates
Open Enrollment — Start Anytime
Self-Paced Online Theory · No Fixed Start Date
Supported Orientation Sessions (Option A)
Every-Other Monday · 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM · San Diego Campus
In-Person Hands-On Lab Dates
Third Monday Monthly · 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM · San Diego Campus
How It Works: After enrolling, you will be registered for an orientation session where you will get set up and ready to go. From there, you work through the curriculum individually at your own pace. Please allow 24 business hours for your account to be set up after enrollment. You will receive an invitation to log in to your NHA account by email once your account is ready. When registering with NHA you will be asked when you plan to complete your program — you are welcome to enter any date, as this is simply an NHA reporting tool and does not affect your access or timeline.
On-Campus NHA Test Dates
Students must register at least 14 days prior to the test.
- OngoingOn-campus by appointment — contact WMTC to schedule
What's Included
- NHA EKG Technician (CET) national exam prep and on-campus exam administration
- 80 hours of self-paced online theory via NHA platform
- 4-hour in-person hands-on lab at San Diego Learning Lab
- BLS/ALS certification (included for Supported Orientation students)
- 80-hour supported clinical externship at a WMTC-coordinated site
- Resume review, mock interview preparation, and job placement support
- Access to Friday Night EKG Study Nights (4 per semester)
- Ongoing instructor support throughout the program
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Ability to attend at least one in-person session in San Diego (lab or orientation)
- Basic computer and internet access for online coursework
- BLS/ALS certification must be completed before sitting for the national exam
Payment Options
- Program Tuition (pay in full)$1,900
- 50/50 Split — Due at Enrollment$950
- 50/50 Split — Due at Lab Booking$950
Not Included
- •BLS/ALS certification for In-Lab Orientation (Option B) students — available separately at WMTC
- •Scrubs or clinical attire
- •Transportation to externship site