American Medical Technologists (AMT) > Patient Care Technician

Are you eligible for PCT certification?

Applicants must meet one of the following routes to be eligible to challenge a PCT certification exam. Applicants applying under all routes must pass the PCT (AMT) certification examination.

Required Documentation

Education - PCT

Applicant shall be a graduate of, or scheduled to graduate from, an accredited* Patient Care Technician program within the past four years.

*Program or institution must be accredited by a regional or national accreditation agency approved by the US Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or otherwise approved by the AMT Board of Directors.

If recently graduated:

  • Official final transcripts from the school showing graduation from a PCT program

If graduated 4+ years ago:

  • Copy of transcripts showing graduation from a PCT program
  • Six months of documented, full-time experience within the last 3 years
Apply Now

Education - Medical/Nursing Assistant

Applicant shall be a graduate of, or scheduled to graduate from, an accredited* medical assistant or nursing assistant (or equivalent) program within the past four years AND provide evidence of appropriate, supplementary training in patient care competencies OR PCT work experience.

*Program or institution must be accredited by a regional or national accreditation agency approved by the US Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or otherwise approved by the AMT Board of Directors.

If recently graduated:

  • Official final transcripts from the school showing graduation from a medical assistant or nursing assistant program

If graduated 4+ years ago:

  • Copy of transcripts showing graduation from a medical assistant or nursing assistant program
  • Six months of documented, full-time experience within the last 3 years
Apply Now

Work Experience

Applicant shall be employed as a patient care technician for a minimum of 1 year within the last 3 years.

  • Work requirement is full-time at 40 hours/week (part-time combination allowed)

  • A copy of your high school diploma or GED
  • One year of documented, full-time experience within the last 3 years
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Instructor

Applicant shall have completed a patient care technician program or other healthcare practitioner program that fully encompasses PCT competencies and have a minimum of 1 year within the past 3 years of teaching in a PCT program or a program in a related field that includes PCT clinical and administrative components

  • A copy of your transcript
  • Teaching and documented work experience that shows the dates of the teaching experience and whether it was full or part time
Apply Now

Want help choosing the application route that’s right for you? Try the PCT Eligibility Assistant

Once Eligible You Can Apply

Complete application and submit fee online.

Once you are eligible you can apply. Submit a separate application for each certification.

Pay fee*

PCT
$150

*Fees are non-refundable and include application, exam and first annual fee.

Utilize AMT study resources to increase testing confidence.

Medical Assistant (RMA)

Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

Patient Care Technician (PCT)

Phlebotomy Technician (RPT)

Molecular Diagnostics Technologist (MDT)

Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)

Dental Assistant (RDA)

Dental Assisting Radiography (DAR)

Medical Administrative Specialist (CMAS)

Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA)

Once you receive notification from AMT with approval you may proceed.

Schedule the exam

If you are taking the exam at your school, your instructor will provide information about the exam date and time. If you are taking the exam at a one of the hundreds of Pearson VUE testing center locations across the country, you will schedule your own exam.

Locate a Testing Center Near Me

To cancel or reschedule

Call Pearson VUE at 1-888-846-6941 24 hours prior to your exam. If you are late or don’t show, you must pay a retesting fee to reschedule.

Take the Exam

Arrive 30 minutes prior to exam time with the required testing items:

  1. Authorization letter
  2. Two forms of valid identification
    • Both must have your first and last name identical to your name on your authorization letter
    • Both must bear your signature
    • One form must be a photo ID, either a driver’s license, state ID card, military ID, or passport

After the Exam

  • Results are available after the exam and are sent to AMT within 48 hours
  • All documentation MUST be complete to receive certification
  • Official certificate will arrive in the mail within 7-14 days
  • You may download your certified member card from My AMT Portal.

Retesting

If you receive a failing score, you will need to retake the entire exam.

  • Retake is permitted no sooner than 45 days from previous attempt
  • A non-refundable fee is required for each additional attempt
  • You are limited to 4 exam attempts for any one certification
  • Consult the AMT study resources to prepare for a retake

Certification is a Step Away

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