Healthcare careers don’t always require a four-year degree. Many entry-level jobs can be started with short training programs and certification, giving you a path into one of the most stable and in-demand industries in the U.S.
This article highlights four of the most recognized entry-level healthcare certifications, with step-by-step guidance on how to earn them, what experience is needed, and where to find official resources. If you’re considering longer-term growth, you can also explore our guides to Mid-Level Healthcare Certifications and Top Advanced Healthcare Certifications.
1. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Why it’s in demand:
CNAs support nurses with direct patient care across hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living, and home health—demand remains strong as the U.S. population ages.
Relevant Roles:
Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Assistant, Home Health Aide.
How to become a CNA (Step by Step):
- Meet the basic requirement
- High school diploma or GED.
- Complete a state-approved CNA training program
- Where to find programs: Community colleges, vocational/technical schools, workforce boards, long-term care facilities, and some hospital systems.
- Check training program approval status: Go to your state’s Nurse Aide Registry / Department of Health website for the official list of approved CNA programs.
- Program length: Usually 4–12 weeks, depending on the provider and state requirements.
- Pass your state’s CNA competency exam
- The most common exam is the NNAAP® (National Nurse Aide Assessment Program), which includes a written (or oral) test and a clinical skills demonstration.
- Who runs testing (varies by state):
- Credentia (NNAAP) — credentia.com
- Prometric — prometric.com/nurseaide
- D&SDT-Headmaster — hdmaster.com
- Get listed on your state Nurse Aide Registry
- Once you pass, your name is added to your state’s Nurse Aide Registry. This official listing is required to work as a CNA.
Salary Range (BLS):
Median $39,610 per year for Nursing Assistants and Orderlies (national median; varies by state and setting).
Official Sites (to help candidates find specifics by state):
- NCSBN – NNAAP Overview
- Credentia – NNAAP Testing
- Prometric – Nurse Aide Testing
- Headmaster – CNA Testing
2. Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT)
Why it’s in demand:
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with preparing prescriptions, managing inventory, and helping patients. Demand is high as prescription medication use grows.
Relevant Roles:
Pharmacy Technician, Hospital Pharmacy Assistant, Retail Pharmacy Support.
How to become a CPhT (Step by Step):
- Meet the basic requirement
- High school diploma or GED.
- Complete a training program or gain work experience
- Pathways to eligibility:
- PTCB® (ptcb.org): Requires either completion of a PTCB-recognized training/education program or at least 500 hours of work experience as a pharmacy technician.
- NHA (nhanow.com): Requires completion of an accredited training program or at least 1 year (1,200 hours) of supervised pharmacy technician work experience.
- Where to find programs: Community colleges, vocational/technical schools, online providers, and some hospital systems.
- Program length: Usually 6–12 months, covering pharmacy law, pharmacology, compounding, and medication safety.
- Check program approval status: Confirm the program is accredited by your state board of pharmacy or listed as PTCB/NHA-recognized to ensure certification and licensure eligibility.
- Pathways to eligibility:
- Pass a certification exam
- PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam) through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB®) → ptcb.org
- ExCPT (Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians) through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) → nhanow.com
- Apply for state licensure (if required)
- Some states require pharmacy technicians to be licensed or registered with their state board of pharmacy in addition to holding certification. Check your State Board of Pharmacy website for requirements
Salary Range (BLS):
Median $37,790 per year.
Official Sites:
3. Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
Why it’s in demand:
Medical assistants support physicians by handling both administrative tasks (scheduling, billing, medical records) and clinical duties (taking vitals, drawing blood, assisting with exams).
Relevant Roles:
Medical Assistant, Clinical Assistant, Outpatient Care Assistant.
How to become a CMA (Step by Step):
- Meet the basic requirement
- High school diploma or GED.
- Enroll in an accredited medical assisting program
- Pass the CMA Exam
- Administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
- Exam covers general medical knowledge, clinical procedures, and administrative tasks.
- Maintain certification
- Renewal every 5 years through continuing education or re-examination.
Salary Range (BLS):
Median $38,270 per year.
Official Site:
4. Certified EKG Technician (CET)
Why it’s in demand:
The demand for EKG technicians is fueled by the growing need for cardiac care across hospitals, outpatient cardiology clinics, and diagnostic centers. As heart disease continues to be one of the leading health concerns in the U.S., employers value CETs for their ability to perform critical patient monitoring and diagnostic testing. The certification provides a versatile pathway—serving as an entry-level credential for those starting in healthcare, while also acting as a mid-level specialization for professionals like Medical Assistants or Nursing Assistants who want to expand their skills and advance their careers.
Relevant Roles:
EKG Technician, Cardiac Monitoring Technician.
How to become a CET (Step by Step):
- Meet the basic requirement
- High school diploma or GED.
- Complete an EKG technician training program
- Where to find programs: Vocational schools, community colleges, and hospital-based training programs.
- Program length: Typically 8–16 weeks, including classroom learning and labs.
- Pass the CET Exam
- Administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) → nhanow.com
- Exam covers patient preparation, EKG administration, equipment safety, and cardiac monitoring.
- Hands-on experience
- Many programs include a clinical externship for supervised practice in a real healthcare setting.
Salary Range (BLS):
Median $44,630 per year (for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians).
Official Site:
Final Thoughts
Entry-level certifications like CNA, CPhT, CMA, and CET offer quick pathways into healthcare careers that can be started in less than a year. These jobs provide both stability and a stepping stone into advanced healthcare careers such as nursing, pharmacy, or medical imaging.
Protect your investment by always checking program approval status with the official bodies linked above.
Looking to move up? Read our guide on Mid-Level Healthcare Certifications or explore leadership and advanced practice roles in Top Advanced Healthcare Certifications.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. Certification names, requirements, testing procedures, and salary data may change at any time. JobCertifications.com is not affiliated with and does not control the certifying organizations or state agencies mentioned, and is not responsible for any actions taken by those entities. Always verify details directly through your state’s regulatory body and the official certification provider before enrolling in a program or scheduling an exam.
For more certifications in healthcare, explore our directory:
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