Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists

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-an-accredited-program 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.

A few universities offer baccalaureate-level neurodiagnostics and sleep science degree programs. Examples include Baptist Health Sciences University (https://www.baptistu.edu/neurodiagnostic-technology), the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (https://aphcs.charlotte.edu/academic-degrees-and-programs/undergraduate-degrees/bachelor-science-neurodiagnostics-and-sleep) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (https://www.med.unc.edu/healthsciences/ndss.

Other Education or Training

ASET-The Neurodiagnostic Society offers educational seminars, webinars, educational sessions at its annual conference, and other continuing education (CE) opportunities. Recent offerings included Fundamentals of Neuroanatomy; EEG Testing Procedures and Terminology; Electrodes, Electrode Placement & Application Methods; and Digital EEG Concepts & Electrical Safety. The American Association of Sleep Technologists and the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Technologists also provide CE classes. Contact these organizations for more information.