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Certified rhythm analysis technician (CRAT)

We are providing an overview of the CRAT examination along with free resources to assist you in your preparation.

Scroll down to find more information about the exam & free resources

Image of nurse with patient, ecg in th background.

Exam format

According to Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI)'s official website, the CRAT examination contains 130 multiple choice questions — 110 scored and 20 unscored — with a time limit of two hours. The test will include both traditional and innovative question types.

  1. Traditional multiple choice — Out of the four given options one is correct (e.g. A, B, C or D).
  2. Innovative multiple responses — There are four or six options, out of which specified number are correct.
  3. Innovative hot spot — The test taker will be instructed to click on the correct part of an image to answer a question.
  4. Innovative drag and place — The test taker will be instructed to click and drag labels to the correct boxes or areas on an image. There is a possibility that some labels will be left unused.

Scoring of exam

The exam score of the candidate is based on the answers of the 110 scored questions. Besides, 20 of the CRAT exam questions are unscored, and these are unidentified and randomly distributed throughout the exam to get performance data.

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Exam duration

The total duration of the exam is two hours, one hour and fifty minutes for the body of exam and ten minutes for a pre-exam tutorial and post-exam survey.

Contents of exam

The exam content is based on the findings of a Job Task Analysis (JTA) which describes all the tasks a CRAT generally performs on the job and the general knowledge that is required to perform the tasks. This content is developed by subject matter experts in the cardiovascular profession. To keep the exams relevant to current practices in the field, JTA is performed every five years for all nine of the exams that CCI offers. Ongoing statistical analysis is performed by professionals with a doctorate in industrial and organizational Psychology.

Average wages for related jobs

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

$75,780

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

$68,324

Certified cardiographic technician (CCT)

$68,750
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics and salaryexpert.com

Examination matrix and task list

The tasks stated below are the activities that a certified rhythm analysis technician is supposed to perform on the job. The tasks also portray the relative weight of the given main content areas on the exam.

Duties and tasksWeighting
A. Registering patients5%
  1. Validate provider order
  2. Verify patient identification
  3. Collect patient demographics
  4. Review patient history
  5. Supply cardiac monitoring equipment to the patient
B. Maintaining cardiac monitoring device support3%
  1. Confirm electrode placement
  2. Clean client equipment
  3. Minimize electrical mechanical interference (EMI)
C. Educating clients8%
  1. Provide educational materials to clients
  2. Explain cardiac monitoring service
  3. Educate clients on cardiac monitoring device saftey
  4. Educate clients on self-monitoring
D. Administering cardiac test10%
  1. Place cardiac monitoring device
  2. Collect ECG results
  3. Obtain patient symptoms
  4. Recognize standard ECG settings
E. Analyzing rhythms68%
  1. Identify normal ECG components
  2. Identify sinus rhythm
  3. Identify atrial rhythm
  4. Identify junctional rhythm
  5. Identify AV conduction defects
  6. Identify ventricular rhythms
  7. Identify asystole
  8. Recognize artifacts
  9. Identify paced rhythms
  10. Identify cardiac anatomy and physiology
F. Processing cardiac test findings6%
  1. Triage ECG results
  2. Compile test findings
  3. Conduct follow-up activities
Total100%

General concepts that are required to perform the tasks identified

  • Regulatory and compliance standards (e.g., OSHA, HIPAA certification, informed consent, medical records)
  • Medical ethics
  • Communication with the client
  • Comunication with staff and faculty
  • Patient safety
  • Emergency response
  • Basic cardiovascular anatomy and physiology
  • Cardiac rhythm analysis and interpretation
  • ECG troubleshooting
  • Documentation of findings
  • Medical terminology

Recommended books

CCI's official website recommends the following sources to help you prepare for the exam.

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  1. Asirvatham, Samuel J., Friedman, Paul A., and Hayes, David L. Cardiac pacing, defibrillation and resynchronization: a clinical approach. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell
  2. Barold, S. Serge, and Roland X. Stroobandt. Cardiac Pacemakers and Resynchronization Step-by-Step an Illustrated Guide. 2nd ed. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 2010
  3. Dubin, Dale. Rapid Interpretation of EKG’s: an interactive course. 6th ed. Tampa, Fla.: Cover Pub. Co., 2000.
  4. Kenny, Tom. The nuts and bolts of cardiac pacing. 2nd ed. Malden, Mass.: Blackwell Futura, 2008.
  5. Wesley, Keith. Pocket Guide to Huszer’s Basic Dysrhythmias and Acute Coronary Syndromes: Interpretation & Management. Mosby Jems Elsevier.
  6. Booth, Kathryn A., and Thomas E. O’Brien. Electrocardiography for Healthcare Professionals. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  7. Woods, Stephanie L. and Karen S. Ehrat. The Art of EKG Interpretation: a Self-Instructional Text. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall Hunt Pub Co.

Certification renewal

According to (Cardiovascular Credentialing International) CCI official website, A credential is active for 9–12 months (First time) and 3 Years (2nd time and onwards) after passing a CCI exam. Need more information? Click below

Renewal Information
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How we reviewed this article

Our experts continually monitor the medical science space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current version
Jun 21, 2023

Reviewed by:

Judy Haluka
Judy has helped write or review several medical publications for us. Everything that she works on will clearly include Judy's name.
Changes: Updated CRAT certification requirements and study materials