High School

You must have a high school diploma for entry into any kind of EEG technologist training program, whether in school or on the job. In general, you will find it helpful to have three years of mathematics (including algebra) and three years of science (including biology, chemistry, and physics). In addition, you should take courses in English, especially those that help improve your communication skills, and in social sciences so that you can better understand the social and psychological needs of your patients.

Postsecondary Training

According to the ASET-The Neurodiagnostic Society, anyone entering the END profession is required to have an associate’s degree or higher and have successfully completed an accredited program reviewed by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Currently, there are nearly 30 schools in the United States with two-year programs that are accredited by CAAHEP. Visit https://www.caahep.org/Students/Find-a-Program.aspx for a list of programs.

Formal training consists of practice in the clinical laboratory, in clinical settings, and instruction in the classroom. Classroom instruction usually focuses on subjects such as human anatomy, physiology, neuroanatomy, clinical neurology, neuropsychiatry, clinical and internal medicine, psychology, electronics, and instrumentation. The curriculum also includes EEG, evoked potentials, and at least an introduction to nerve conduction and polysomnography. Hospitals, medical centers, and community or technical colleges offer these courses.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers what is believed to be the only baccalaureate-level neurodiagnostics and sleep science degree program. Visit http://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/ndss for more information. 

Other Education or Training

ASET-The Neurodiagnostic Society offers two-day educational seminars, webinars, educational sessions at its annual conference, and other continuing education (CE) opportunities. Recent offerings included EKG for the Neurodiagnostic & PSG Technologist, Ambulatory EEG Revisited: What's New, and EEG 101 Terminology. The American Association of Sleep Technologists and the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Technologists also provide CE classes. Contact these organizations for more information. 

Certification or Licensing

ABRET offers certification or registration programs in electroencephalography, evoked potential testing, neurophysiologic intraoperative monitoring, long-term monitoring, and autonomics. Other organizations that offer certification/registration include the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Technologists, American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists. Although certification/registration is not required for employment, it is proof of the technologist's desire to meet the highest standards established in his or her profession, and it does make advancement easier. Certification/registration may also provide an increase in salary.

Currently, technologists who perform electroencephic, evoked potentials, intraoperative neuromonitoring, and nerve conduction procedures are not required to have a license. Some states are currently considering passing laws that require licensing for EEG technologists. And some states have already passed laws. New Jersey and Louisiana now require licensure for technologists performing polysomnography studies.

There is no way to obtain direct experience in high school, but it's a good idea to take as many health and science classes as possible and participate in science clubs. During your postsecondary training, you will gain experience by completing work in the classroom, laboratory, and in clinical settings.

EEG technologists need good vision and manual dexterity, an aptitude for working with mechanical and electronic equipment, and the ability to get along well with patients, their families, and members of the hospital staff. To be a successful EEG technologist, you must be good with people, quickly recognize what others may be feeling, and personalize treatment to the individual patient's needs. You need to be able to realize that some patients will be very ill, even in the process of dying. Other important traits include curiosity, patience, above-average intelligence, good manual dexterity, and a willingness to continue to learn throughout your career.