Becoming a patient care technician (PCT) or patient care assistant is an excellent choice for anyone who has considered a career in healthcare. PCTs have rewarding careers with excellent job security and a variety of opportunities for advancement.
PCTs work closely with nurses and other members of the healthcare team to ensure that each patient is safe and well cared for and it’s an excellent entry level path to a nursing career.
But, how to become one? In this guide we’ll cover what’s the best way to become a PCT, step by step with certifications and program options.
How to become a Patient Care Technician in 4 steps?
Patient care technicians have to gain a solid understanding of body systems, medical terminology, targeted patient care, and communication techniques. Learning about these topics helps ensure PCTs deliver efficient, effective, and safe care to their patients.
- Start with your high school diploma
Most PCT programs require at least a high school diploma or GED as a prerequisite. It’s very affordable and straightforward to get this certification online.
- Enroll in a Patient Care Technician program
Most PCT programs that teach the necessary concepts and prepare students for their certification exam last between 4 months to a year. However, accelerated programs like ours at Stepful allow for completion in just 8 weeks at one of the most affordable tuitions out there.
Alternatively, some aspiring students try to get hired as a patient care assistant without earning a certificate so you might be able to skip this step completely. While this is possible, the National Healthcareer Association states that 96% of employers require or encourage certification for their PCTs as of 2025.
- Obtain a certification
Though certification is not always required, many employers prefer certified PCTs. Common certification options include:
- Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) – offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
We prepare our students for this certification at Stepful, which is backed by the NHA and widely recognized across the country.
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – offered by various state boards
- Phlebotomy Technician Certification (CPT) – if you want to specialize in blood drawing
- EKG Technician Certification (CET) – for those interested in cardiac monitoring
- Apply for Jobs
Once certified, you can apply for positions in:
- Hospitals
- Assisted living facilities
- Nursing homes
- Rehabilitation centers
- Dialysis centers
At Stepful, we support our students in securing their first job by providing interview preparation, resume-building services, and job placement assistance to help them stand out in the hiring process.
>> Read More: Patient Care Technician Salary
Patient Care Technician Requirements
Requirements for becoming a patient care technician vary based on the healthcare organization. Critical care areas such as hospitals are likely to have stricter requirements than lower acuity healthcare organizations.
There are some basic requirements that a patient care technician should meet. These include:
- A high school diploma or GED
- The ability to spend 8-12 hour shifts on your feet
- The ability to lift 10-15 pounds without strain
- Good manual dexterity
- Great verbal and written communication skills
To be eligible to take a certification exam, patient care technicians must earn a high school diploma or GED, complete a recognized training program within the last 5 years.
Average Length of Patient Care Technician Programs
There are a variety of ways you can choose from to become a certified patient care technician. They can take anywhere from 8 weeks to two years.
- Associate’s Degree from a community college. Earning a degree can take between 12-24 months. These programs are longer because they require general education courses in addition to patient care technician classes.
- Certificate program from a community college. Completing only the patient care technician training portion of a community college will not result in a degree, but will count towards your eligibility towards certification. These programs can be completed in 6 months.
- Trade School. Trade schools allow students to complete their coursework in 4-6 months, depending on whether they study full time or part time.
- Online. Online programs are almost always the fastest option, and online programs can be completed in 8-12 weeks.
Shortest Patient Care Technician Training Program Available
The shortest patient care technician training program available is offered by Phlebotome Medical Training Institute (PMTI) and only lasts 6 weeks long, however it doesn’t mention live instructors or job search support.
Other short training programs include Stepful’s Patient Care Technician program, which is 8 weeks long, and the U.S. Career Institute, which is self-paced and can be completed as quickly as you can move through the curriculum.
How You Can Become a Patient Care Technician in Under 8 Weeks Without Certification
While earning a certificate is recommended, many healthcare organizations do not require their PCTs to be certified. These hospitals, clinics, and care centers hire and train new employees on the job. These programs will teach you what you need to know to work as a PCT in their facility, but often do not allow you to test for or earn your certification.
For example, SSM health offers a 6-week classroom and on-site integration program for aspiring PCTs, with a 24-month work requirement upon completion of the program.
Earning a certification will increase job opportunities and pay, as well as making it easier to get hired. In addition, the NHA-PCT certification is nationally recognized, meaning that it stays with you if you ever move or want to transition to a new place of employment.
How Stepful Can Help You Become a Patient Care Technician in Just 8 Weeks
Our program at Stepful will prepare you to prepare for your certification exam and start looking for a job as soon as you pass your exam. This program can be completed completely online, does not require any in-person externship hours, and is the most affordable certification option offered by Stepful. In addition, we offer payment plans and partial scholarships to qualifying students.
In addition to helping students earn their certification, we offer 1:1 job search support, career coaches, and guidance every step of the way. Students can complete their coursework on their own schedule, and can choose to attend morning or evening classes.
In addition to being a short program, our team members will help students apply for jobs, create resumes, and practice interview skills.
Timeline of Becoming a Patient Care Technician
There are many steps on the way to becoming a patient care technician. The timeline from start to finish will look something like this:
- Get your high school diploma or GED (4 years). Students who do not complete high school can earn a GED online. Most students are able to prepare for the GED exam with just a few months of preparation.
- Enroll in and complete a patient care assistant course (6 weeks to 2 years). If you choose an online program, you can complete it in as little as 6 weeks. A degree program will take up to two years to complete.
- Register for and schedule your exam (2-4 weeks). Exams must be taken at a testing center or with an online proctor. It takes a few weeks to submit proof that you completed an accredited training course and receive your authorization to test.
- Wait for your exam results (48 hours). Official exam results are sent to students 48 hours after taking the test. Once you have received your passing result, you will be certified as a patient care technician.
- Apply for jobs (2-6 weeks). Earning your certification typically means you’ll be able to find a job and start working within a few weeks of beginning your search. Our program at Stepful makes this process even faster by helping our students find and apply for jobs.
>> Read More: What is a Patient Care Technician (PCT)
>> Read More: What is a Patient Care Assistant & What Do They Do
FAQs on Becoming a Patient Care Technician in the Shortest Time Possible
Is it possible to become a patient care technician in 6 weeks?
It is possible to become a patient care technician in 6 weeks if you can get through a self-paced program quickly, or if you can find a job without earning a certification.
Is it possible to become a patient care technician in 8 weeks?
It is possible to earn a patient care technician certification in 8 weeks and start applying for jobs. You may be able to start applying for jobs before completing your certificate, with hiring contingent on passing your examination.
Is it possible to become a patient care technician in 4 weeks?
The only way to become a patient care technician in 4 weeks is if you can find a healthcare organization that will hire patient care technicians who are not certified. Most organizations require certification prior to a new employee start date.
Can I become a patient care technician online?
Yes. There are several programs that allow people to earn their patient care technician certification online.
What is the shortest possible time to become a patient care technician?
You may be able to become a patient care technician immediately after high school graduation. However, most healthcare facilities require certification.
How long does it take to get a patient care technician certification?
It takes between 6 weeks and two years to get a patient care technician certification.
