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Start your new career as a patient care technician (PCT) in any state.
This highly desirable medical job helps you work with patients beneficially.
You can earn a decent income and advance your career in the medical industry.
First, start your journey to becoming a patient care technician with this information on how much it costs.
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Patient Care Technician?
There are many areas of expenses you will need to cover to become a professional patient care technician.
The following few sections touch on the specific costs you must pay.
Price of Training and Tuition for Patient Care Technicians
The cost of becoming a patient care technician starts with learning how to perform the tasks required for the job.
To train for licensure as a patient care technician in the US requires a few steps:
- Be 18 years old and graduated from high school, or have a GED
- Graduate from school or professional training to be a patient care technician
- Sit for at least one certification board exam for verification of your skills
- Pass an FBI background check
- Work in a clinical capacity with patients
- Purchase a uniform, including footwear
You will need to pay for most of these items out of pocket.
Training and tuition for patient care technicians are available at some schools.
However, you must be in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program in most cases to be eligible for federal aid.
The cost of these areas can be estimated at:
- School or training tuition is approximately $4,000 to $7,000
- Certification board exams, such as Patient Care Technician Certification (CPCT-A), are less than $200 an exam
- FBI background rap sheet is $18
- Uniform and footwear costs vary, between $50 to $100
Therefore, you can expect to spend at least $5,000 on becoming a patient care technician.
This will give you everything you need to reach your goal of getting a job as a PCT.
Estimated Expenses for Patient Care Techs
As a patient care technician, you must pay regularly for uniforms, footwear, and personal work supplies.
Uniforms or scrubs can be purchased at most department stores and many specialty shops for $20 to $100 a set.
Your uniform must be replaced if damaged, stained, or otherwise unsuitable for the workplace.
You may also need single-use face masks, shields, gloves, or other personal supplies you bring to work.
These expenses are mandatory to work in the field as a PCT.
You will also need safe work shoes for medical laboratories, clinics, and offices.
Other costs you will be expected to cover as a patient care technician include:
- Annual dues for association memberships
- Recertification fees for board certifications
- Exam fees to sit for new board examinations
- Transportation costs if working in multiple locations
- Immunizations and vaccines to protect against illnesses and diseases
The cost of working as a patient care technician in the field is anywhere from $150 to $500 a year.
These ongoing expenses depend on your location, employer, and job demands.
Busy urban areas may have more job opportunities.
However, the costs of working as a PCT will also increase in cities compared to rural areas as products are in greater demand.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Patient Care Technician?
In most US states, you will need at least a year to become a full-fledged and certified patient care technician.
However, the training process can take as little as two months with some accelerated programs.
Here, you are most likely expected already to be a certified nursing assistant with a CNA degree.
If you need medical school training or background, you need at least 12 months to complete patient care technician school.
From there, you are going to need to pass a certification board.
There are only certain times every month or year when certification boards are open for examinations.
In addition, you might not successfully pass the first time you take a certification exam and need to wait to retake the test after you have prepared more.
Certification board exams must be passed to be able to apply for state licensing as a PCT and be ready for employment.
Therefore, you may need up to two years to become a patient care technician.
As you estimate costs to become a patient care technician, include living expenses throughout the training period.
Understand how long you must be in school and studying for certification exams post-graduation.
Key Takeaways
You must go to school or training to become a patient care technician.
In addition, clinicals, which are a type of medical school internship, must be completed.
Certification exams are required before you can be licensed as a PCT for employment.
You have to sit for a board exam once you have graduated with a degree from patient care technician training or school.
Expect to spend at least $5,000 on tuition, school supplies, and certification exams to be a PCT.
