Choose, pay, plan
Which health care certification do you need?
Independent site, not affiliated with the certifying body or the test vendor. Applications, payments and scheduling happen only on their own websites.
Pick the job you are aiming at. The finder shows the exam behind it, who runs it, how you become eligible, the official fee and how often it is renewed.
Nurse aides in nursing homes that take Medicare or Medicaid must pass a state competency evaluation: a written (or oral) part and a skills part.
Credentia (NNAAP) and state programs
CNA
- Exam:
- 70 questions, 120 minutes
- Fee:
- set by the state
- To qualify:
- A state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, 16 of them supervised practical training (federal minimum; many states ask more)
- Renewal:
- Listed on the state registry; after 24 consecutive months without paid nursing work, new training or a new evaluation is required
Eight exams cover most entry-level clinical support jobs in the United States, and each belongs to a different body. Nurse aides who work in nursing homes funded by Medicare or Medicaid must pass a state competency evaluation after at least 75 hours of approved training. Pharmacy technicians take the PTCE of the PTCB ($129) or the ExCPT of the NHA, and their state board of pharmacy decides which credential, if any, it requires. Medical assistants choose between the CCMA of the NHA, open to graduates of a training program or to experienced workers, and the CMA (AAMA), which in most cases requires an accredited program and costs $125 for members. Phlebotomy and EKG technicians usually take the NHA's CPT and CET. EMTs pass the NREMT cognitive exam ($104 an attempt) and a state skills exam, then apply for a state license. Fees above were read on the certifiers' pages on October 26, 2026; the NHA does not publish its fees on a public page.
What the exam costs
Exam fee
$129
- One attempt
- $129
- Paid to
- PTCB
Each attempt is paid again in full.
Questions, formats and fees by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method and sources
The eight exams at a glance
| Job | Exam | Run by | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse aide | CNA | Credentia (NNAAP) and state programs | Set by the state |
| Pharmacy technician | PTCE | PTCB | $129 |
| Pharmacy technician | ExCPT | NHA | Not published |
| Medical assistant | CCMA | NHA | Not published |
| Medical assistant | CMA (AAMA) | AAMA | $125 |
| Phlebotomy technician | CPT | NHA | Not published |
| EKG technician | CET | NHA | Not published |
| EMT | NREMT EMT | NREMT | $104 |
Questions to ask before choosing
What does my state require?
Start with the law where you will work. Nurse aides follow federal rules for nursing homes (42 CFR 483.152) and the state registry rules on top. Pharmacy technicians depend on the state board of pharmacy: some require national certification, some only registration. EMTs need the state license, for which most states use the NREMT exam. A few states license phlebotomists themselves. For medical assistants, the scope of tasks such as injections is set by state law and often by the supervising provider.
What do employers near me ask for?
Where the law is silent, job postings decide. Read a dozen postings for the job in your area and note which credential they name. Medical assistant postings often accept the CCMA or the CMA; some hospitals name only one. Pharmacy postings usually say "CPhT", which either the PTCE or the ExCPT can give you.
Which route can I take?
Each certifier has its own route to eligibility. The PTCB guidebook accepts a recognized program or 500 hours of work. The AAMA asks, in most cases, for a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited medical assisting program. The NHA candidate handbook (archived copy) accepts a training program or supervised work experience for its four exams, with documented draws or tracings for the CPT and the CET. The NREMT requires a state-approved EMT course finished within 2 years (NREMT).
Common combinations
- Medical assistant plus phlebotomy: the CCMA covers phlebotomy as part of clinical care, so the CPT adds a credential with modest extra study.
- Nurse aide to EMT or pharmacy: the CNA is often a first job in health care; the habits it builds, safety, infection control and reporting, carry into every other exam.
- EKG plus phlebotomy: a frequent pairing for hospital technician jobs; the CET and the CPT share the safety and patient care domains.
Cost of the whole path
The exam fee is rarely the largest cost: training programs, background checks and state license fees usually add more, and many employers or programs pay the exam fee. The fees and retakes page sets out what each certifier publishes, including what a failed attempt costs and how long you must wait.
This site does not run any of these exams and does not recommend a school. When you have chosen, the practice pages for each exam start from the home page.