How Do I Become a Cardiovascular Technologist?

Steps to Becoming a Cardiovascular Technologist

There are many ways to become a cardiovascular technologist—a field closely related to radiologic technology and diagnostic imaging—but all of them start with formal education. Most states also require licenses and/or professional certification followed by ongoing continuing education courses.

Here is one possible pathway to joining this growing career.

1. Check State Licensing Requirements

Cardiovascular technologists must be licensed or certified to practice in some states. These requirements determine what type of training one needs to enter the field, so it pays to research them before choosing a program. Florida’s Department of Health, for instance, requires licensure—a process that entails passing an examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technicians and, in most cases, finishing an accredited two-year cardiovascular technology program. Prospective students can visit the American Society of Radiologic Technologists online to review each state’s licensing information.

2. Earn a Certificate, Diploma, or Degree in Cardiovascular Technology (One to Two Years)

Cardiovascular technologists play an important role in patient care. Formal education is a must, but program lengths and types vary. The most common credentials available:

• A diploma in cardiovascular technology from a university, hospital, or clinic
• An undergraduate certificate in cardiovascular technology
• An associate degree in cardiovascular technology
• A bachelor’s degree in cardiovascular technology

While there is certainly no definite guarantee; earnings, employment, and advancement potential tend to increase with education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024), employers prefer to hire techs who completed programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The CAAHEP offers a directory of accredited diploma, certificate, associate, and bachelor’s programs.

Employers also prefer candidates with two or more professional certifications. Step four provides a full breakdown of the available certifications.

Cardiovascular Technology Concentrations

According to the CAAHEP, students attending cardiovascular technology programs often specialize in one of the following concentrations:

• Adult Echocardiography
• Pediatric Echocardiography
• Cardiac Electrophysiology
• Invasive Cardiovascular Technology
• Noninvasive Vascular Study

Common Prerequisites for Clinical Coursework

Clinical work is core to a cardiovascular technologist’s education: there is no substitute for hands-on training with real patients.

Health Requirements

Prior to working in a clinical setting, cardiovascular technology students typically must submit medical forms and records to verify the following:

• A current TB test
• Hepatitis B, DT, and MMR vaccinations
• A current flu vaccination
• Chickenpox vaccination or antibody test
• Flu vaccination

Security Requirements

Before they can work with patients, most cardiovascular technology students must complete:

• A full background check
• Drug screening

Physical Requirements

Cardiovascular technology is a relatively physical field. As such, many cardiovascular technology programs only admit students who can:

• Lift more than 20 pounds
• Bend, stoop, kneel, push, and pull
• Stand for long periods of time
• See clearly
• Differentiate colors

3. Become Licensed (Less Than One Year)

Most states only allow licensed or certified cardiovascular technicians to enter the field. Some state licensing boards require candidates to attend accredited one- or two-year cardiovascular technology programs and pass an exam given by the American Association of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), while others require certain professional certifications (see below).

For now, here are a few things aspiring cardiovascular techs should know about state licensure. Candidates must:

• Meet state eligibility requirements before they can sit for a licensing exam, and criteria might include a diploma, certificate, or degree from an accredited program; a professional certificate; and/or a set number of hours of hands-on patient care
• Submit a complete application and prepare the requested documentation
• Pay fees

Also, some states require cardiovascular technologists to become certified. Candidates should review the certifications’ educational and clinical criteria carefully. State licenses and professional certifications must be renewed periodically, which usually entails paying a fee and completing continuing education requirements.

4. Get Certified (Less Than One Year)

Professional certifications verify a cardiovascular technician’s skill. Not surprisingly, most employers prefer to hire professionally certified cardiovascular technologists, and many insurance providers will only pay for procedures performed by them. There are many different types of certifications, ranging from general to highly specialized.

The following table highlights various professional certifications, their designations, and the organization that oversees them:

5. Complete Continuing Education Requirements (Timeline Varies)

Imaging procedures and equipment evolve. Cardiovascular technicians and technologists must master new machines and practices to remain competitive in their field and ensure patient safety. This is precisely why state licensing boards and certification bodies require professionals to complete continuing education units (CEUs) to renew their credentials.

Each state or organization sets its own continuing education standards.

For example, candidates who wish to renew certifications earned through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) must complete at least 16 CEUs within each three-year renewal period. Registry-level credentials require 36 CEUs. Most state boards and certificate providers publish renewal criteria online.

Note that a variety of educational experiences may apply to cardiovascular technologists’ continuing education requirements. One might complete college courses, for instance, or attend approved conferences or lectures. Professional organizations may also offer continuing education courses, including many online class options. Students can visit one of the following organizations to learn more:

• Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals
• American Society of Echocardiography
• Society for Vascular Ultrasound

Career Outlook & Salary – Cardiovascular Technologists

Medical advancements and an aging Baby Boomer population drive demand for cardiovascular technicians. Occupational data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023) projects cardiovascular technology positions will grow by 4 percent between 2022 and 2032. This is slightly more than the average for all U.S. occupations during that same decade (3 percent).

Employment and advancement opportunities usually grow with education, certification, and experience. The number of job opportunities and salary ranges also depend on the location of employment.

According to the BLS (May 2023), cardiovascular technologists earned a median annual salary of $63,020. In detailed terms, here are the salary percentiles among all cardiovascular technologists and technicians nationally:

United States (55,660 employed): $70,270 annual average salary

• 10th percentile: $36,620
• 25th percentile: $44,160
• 50th percentile (median): $66,170
• 75th percentile: $85,930
• 90th percentile: $105,140

Techs working in offices of other health practitioners tended to earn slightly more than their peers, followed by those in outpatient care centers. These salary differences were relatively minor, however, ranging from about $1,000 to $3,000.

The BLS publishes up-to-date and comprehensive occupational data, and cardiovascular techs are encouraged to review earnings by state or metropolitan area when considering future employment options.