Biomedical Equipment Technician Schools

The job title biomedical technician can sound alarming to someone with no experience in the medical field. But the truth is that healthcare relies heavily on technical machinery to provide accurate results and care for patients. Therefore, becoming a biomedical equipment technician is an excellent pathway into the rapidly expanding healthcare industry for people who are more mechanically minded and less interested in interacting with patients directly.

A biomedical technician, also known as a biomedical equipment technician (or BMET for short), specializes in calibrating, maintaining, and repairing the medical machinery used in a healthcare facility. Most entry-level positions require a two-year degree, and more advanced roles require a four-year degree.

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) differentiates objective skills from each type of program: “Graduates of associate degree programs typically have strengths in the building, testing, operation, and maintenance of existing biomedical equipment or systems, whereas baccalaureate degree graduates are well prepared for development and implementation of computer systems […] These program criteria apply to engineering technology programs that include healthcare, bioengineering, biomedical, biomedical equipment, clinical technology, medical equipment, medical electronics, or similar modifiers in their titles.”

There are three general pathways to pursuing a career in bioengineering technology. For instance, someone already working in healthcare can pursue a biomedical technician certificate on nights and weekends. Graduating high school seniors can enroll at a community college and pursue a two-year associate’s degree in this field. Finally, those with two-year degrees or absolute certainty of their career paths can enroll in four-year bachelor’s degree programs and see to it that facilities are equipped with well-maintained state-of-the-art systems.

Biomedical technicians can learn much from formal training, and most programs include hands-on learning. Many degree biomedical equipment technology programs require a practicum or internship for graduation. This is a great way to learn technical skills and help students foster critical professional connections when looking for jobs. The most important thing any biomedical technician can bring to the job is a passion for maintaining and fixing machinery so healthcare facilities can provide life-saving care for their patients.

Keep reading to learn more about how to pursue an exciting career as a biomedical equipment technician, including accredited degree and certificate programs, career outlook, core courses, and licensing requirements.

Biomedical Technician fast facts
Projected Jobs Created10,000
Projected Job Growth17%
Average Salary$49,910
Low Salary$31,280
High Salary$81,850
Entry-Level EDU Associate's Degree
Sourced from

Biomedical Equipment Technician Degree & Certificate Programs

Most biomedical technicians begin their careers by earning an associate’s degree from an accredited biomedical technology program. These programs take approximately two years to complete and include some hands-on training and classroom-based or online coursework.

Students can seek work in the biomedical technology field after completing an associate’s degree program. Some of the programs below also feature a one-year certificate and four-year bachelor of science programs in biomedical engineering technology.

Following are a few accredited programs that provide a strong foundation for anyone seeking a career as a biomedical technician.

Vincennes University, located in Vincennes, Indiana, offers an associate of science in electronics technology with a biomedical equipment technician specialization. The curriculum covers technical skills as well as hospital operations, administration, medical field safety, and operations of biomedical facilities. Technical skills include installation, repair, calibration, and safety testing.

Once completing the program, graduates go on to secure employment in hospitals, clinics, contract maintenance, and medical equipment manufacturers. A unique feature of this program is that residents of Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan qualify for resident tuition rates, given their proximity to Indiana.

  • Location: Vincennes, IN
  • Duration: Two years
  • Tuition: $3,180 per semester (residents); $7,722 per semester (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

At Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in Cincinnati, Ohio, students can study in the school’s electrical engineering technology – biomedical equipment (BMT) program. The associate of applied science (AAS) program takes an average of six semesters to complete.

This program teaches students how to maintain and repair complex high-value equipment such as MRI, CT, sonogram, and x-ray machinery. In addition, internships at several clinical healthcare facilities are available through co-op internship sites. Graduates are prepared to find entry-level work in the field but may choose to enroll at a university to complete a bachelor’s degree with their transfer credits.

  • Location: Cincinnati, OH
  • Duration: Six semesters
  • Tuition: $178.64 per credit (residents); $357.28 per credit (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) in Valley Glen, California, offers an associate’s of science (AS) degree and a certificate in biomedical equipment technology as part of the school’s electronics program. The 34-credit certificate program features courses in biophysical measurements and introduction to electronics.

The 60-credit AS degree includes courses in technical computer applications and cooperative education. Upon graduation from the two-year program, students can seek work in the biomedical technology field or transfer to one of California’s many four-year institutions to further their studies. Students in these programs may qualify for two years of free tuition and priority registration if they qualify.

  • Location: Valley Glen, CA
  • Duration: One to two years
  • Tuition: $46 per unit (residents); $299 per unit (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)

State Technical College of Missouri, located in Linn, Missouri, offers a certificate and an associate of applied science (AAS) degree with an option in biomedical engineering technology as part of its electronics engineering technology program. The 71- to 76-credit AAS program includes general courses in electronics and physics, while the BET option includes specialized courses in applied human anatomy and physiology, internship, and instrumentation systems lab.

The 18- to 20-credit certificate program can be completed in less than a year and includes courses in diagnostic imaging and biomedical instrumentation systems and an internship component. Since 2009, this program has boasted a 100 percent graduation rate and a 91 percent job placement rate.

  • Location: Linn, MO
  • Duration: One to two years
  • Tuition: $196 per credit (residents); $392 per credit (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Penn State New Kensington is part of the Pennsylvania State University system. It operates a New Kensington (PSNK) campus that offers a two-year biomedical engineering technology (BET) program, resulting in an associate of science degree. The PSNK training program includes classroom training and hands-on medical equipment instruction courses such as electronics, physiology, chemistry, and computer networking.

In addition, the Penn State New Kensington campus features one of only two fully-equipped student intensive care units (ICUs) in the country. It requires students to complete a 400-hour clinical internship at more than 50 approved healthcare facilities near the Pittsburgh region, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland.

  • Location: University Park, PA
  • Duration: Two years
  • Tuition: $765 per credit (residents); $1,498 per credit (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

University of Vermont (UVM) in Burlington, Vermont, offers a bachelor of science in biomedical engineering (BME). The program is divided into three BME core areas:

  • BME Core 1: biomechanics, instrumentation, and sensors
  • BME Core 2: biophysics, biomaterials, and transport
  • BME Core 3: approaches for modeling biological systems and analyzing biological signals

This degree was developed by UVM’s College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences and Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine to improve human health from a biomechanical engineering perspective.

The curriculum is vertically integrated, meaning students learn and integrate the principles covered in the core courses. Team-based projects and real-world experience are included in the UVM medical school. Undergraduate research and internships are available to deepen students’ experiences. A capstone design sequence is required for graduation and provides students with an innovative opportunity to develop and market a biomedical technology.

  • Location: Burlington, VT
  • Duration: Four years
  • Tuition: $678 per credit (residents); $1,720 per credit (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

SELECT * FROM `mts_online_offline_data` WHERE `page_url` = '/biomedical-technician' AND ( `table_type` = 'Offline' OR `table_type` = 'BOTH (Online + Offline)' ) ORDER BY `grads` DESC

List of Biomedical Technician Schools

Filter by state :
School City State Website grads (2018)
Texas State Technical College Waco Texas www.tstc.edu 99
Southern California Institute of Technology Anaheim California www.scitech.edu 62
MiraCosta College Oceanside California www.miracosta.edu 59
Joliet Junior College Joliet Illinois www.jjc.edu 58
San Jacinto Community College Pasadena Texas www.sanjac.edu 50
City College of San Francisco San Francisco California www.ccsf.edu 37
Laney College Oakland California laney.edu 35
San Diego Miramar College San Diego California www.sdmiramar.edu 29
Solano Community College Fairfield California www.solano.edu 29
American River College Sacramento California www.arc.losrios.edu 28
Ohlone College Fremont California www.ohlone.edu 26
Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia Pennsylvania www.ccp.edu 20
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis Indianapolis Indiana www.iupui.edu 19
Pasadena City College Pasadena California pasadena.edu 19
Berkeley City College Berkeley California www.berkeleycitycollege.edu/wp 18
Madisonville Community College Madisonville Kentucky madisonville.kctcs.edu 18
Mech-Tech College Caguas Puerto Rico www.mechtech.edu 18
Citrus College Glendora California www.citruscollege.edu 16
Howard Community College Columbia Maryland www.howardcc.edu 16
Bates Technical College Tacoma Washington www.batestech.edu 15
Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids Minnesota www.anokaramsey.edu 15
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati Ohio www.cincinnatistate.edu 15
Dakota County Technical College Rosemount Minnesota www.dctc.edu 15
Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Ponce Ponce Puerto Rico itec.dde.pr 15
Los Angeles Mission College Sylmar California www.lamission.edu 14
Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen California www.lavc.edu 14
DeVry College of New York New York New York www.devry.edu 13
Irvine Valley College Irvine California www.ivc.edu 13
Santa Ana College Santa Ana California www.sac.edu 13
Santiago Canyon College Orange California www.sccollege.edu 13
St Philip's College San Antonio Texas www.alamo.edu/spc 13
Moorpark College Moorpark California www.moorparkcollege.edu 12
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Hudson North Carolina www.cccti.edu 12
Stanly Community College Albemarle North Carolina www.stanly.edu 12
North Seattle College Seattle Washington www.northseattle.edu 11
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington New Kensington Pennsylvania newkensington.psu.edu 11
College of San Mateo San Mateo California www.collegeofsanmateo.edu 10
Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee Wisconsin matc.edu 10
Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield Missouri www.otc.edu 10
Contra Costa College San Pablo California www.contracosta.edu 9
DeVry University-California Pomona California www.devry.edu 9
Schoolcraft College Livonia Michigan www.schoolcraft.edu 9
St Cloud Technical and Community College Saint Cloud Minnesota www.sctcc.edu 9
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology Boston Massachusetts www.bfit.edu 8
Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville Florida www.fscj.edu 8
Gateway Community College New Haven Connecticut www.gatewayct.edu 8
Mountwest Community and Technical College Huntington West Virginia www.mctc.edu 8
Spokane Community College Spokane Washington scc.spokane.edu 8
Western Technical College La Crosse Wisconsin www.westerntc.edu 8
Big Bend Community College Moses Lake Washington www.bigbend.edu 7
Delgado Community College New Orleans Louisiana www.dcc.edu 7
Southwestern College Chula Vista California www.swccd.edu 7
St Petersburg College Clearwater Florida www.spcollege.edu 7
DeVry University-Arizona Phoenix Arizona www.devry.edu 6
DeVry University-Illinois Chicago Illinois www.devry.edu 6
Quinsigamond Community College Worcester Massachusetts www.qcc.edu 6
Anoka Technical College Anoka Minnesota www.anokatech.edu 5
Intellitec College-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs Colorado www.intelliteccollege.com 5
Los Angeles Trade Technical College Los Angeles California www.lattc.edu 5
Merritt College Oakland California www.merritt.edu 5
Minnesota State College Southeast Winona Minnesota www.southeastmn.edu 5
New Mexico State University-Alamogordo Alamogordo New Mexico nmsua.edu 5
Owens Community College Perrysburg Ohio www.owens.edu 5
Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte North Carolina www.cpcc.edu 4
College of DuPage Glen Ellyn Illinois www.cod.edu 4
Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Iowa www.dmacc.edu 4
DeVry University-Florida Miramar Florida www.devry.edu 4
DeVry University-New Jersey North Brunswick New Jersey www.devry.edu 4
Durham Technical Community College Durham North Carolina www.durhamtech.edu 4
South Florida State College Avon Park Florida www.southflorida.edu 4
Fullerton College Fullerton California www.fullcoll.edu 3
Muskegon Community College Muskegon Michigan www.muskegoncc.edu 3
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay Wisconsin www.nwtc.edu 3
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Tulsa Oklahoma health.okstate.edu 3
Long Island University Brookville New York liu.edu/cwpost 2
Pennsylvania Institute of Technology Media Pennsylvania www.pit.edu 2
Brescia University Owensboro Kentucky www.brescia.edu 1
DeVry University-Ohio Columbus Ohio www.devry.edu 1
DeVry University-Pennsylvania Ft. Washington Pennsylvania www.devry.edu 1
Johnson College Scranton Pennsylvania www.johnson.edu 1
Merced College Merced California www.mccd.edu 1
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana Las Cruces New Mexico dacc.nmsu.edu 1
Rend Lake College Ina Illinois www.rlc.edu 1
Saint Louis Community College Bridgeton Missouri www.stlcc.edu 1
San Diego Mesa College San Diego California www.sdmesa.edu 1
Southeast Technical Institute Sioux Falls South Dakota www.southeasttech.edu 1
Southeastern Community College West Burlington Iowa www.scciowa.edu 1
Wayne County Community College District Detroit Michigan www.wcccd.edu 1
2017-2018 School Data from IPEDS (Sourced in November, 2019)

Hybrid & Online Biomedical Equipment Technician Programs

Many students looking to study biomedical technology may already be working in healthcare or another related field, making it difficult to attend traditional classes offered during working hours.

Luckily, many institutions now offer online options for some of their biomedical technician courses. However, keep in mind that most biomedical technology programs require some type of hands-on training or practicum experience in addition to fully online or hybrid-based courses.

Collin College in McKinney, Texas, offers a 60-credit applied associate of science (AAS) degree in biomedical equipment technology. Students can complete courses in this program in on-campus, hybrid, or virtual learning formats.

Students in this program learn how to install, repair, and maintain equipment in hospitals and medical facilities. Graduates from this program leave with marketable skills in troubleshooting, identifying necessary tools, communicating effectively, and working ethically, responsibly, and conscientiously.

  • Location: McKinney, TX
  • Duration: Two years
  • Tuition: $60 per credit (residents); $115 per credit (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Southern Association for Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IU-PUI) in Indianapolis, Indiana, offers both a two-year associate of science (AS) healthcare engineering technology management degree and a four-year bachelor of science (BS) degree program. The 67-credit AS program emphasizes fundamentals and maintenance of state-of-the-art healthcare technology and teaches hands-on skills through an internship course.

The 119-credit BS program in biomedical engineering is one of the few ABET-accredited online programs offered. This is ideal for those who want the broadest opportunities upon graduation or plan to continue their formal education past the undergraduate level. Many junior- and senior-level courses are offered virtually, allowing students to take didactic courses in environments that work well for their schedules.

Graduates earn degrees from Purdue University and are prepared with technical and management skills to be influential leaders of healthcare technical teams. IU-PUI also offers a fully online certificate in medical device cybersecurity, which requires no campus visits, and a master’s of science in engineering technology.

  • Location: Indianapolis, IN
  • Duration: 15 weeks (certificate program); two to four years (degree programs)
  • Tuition: $420.25 per credit-hour (residents); $1,275 per credit-hour (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio, offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in biomedical electronics. The 64- to 65-credit degree is offered entirely at the school’s Toledo, Ohio campus or as a hybrid program that features online coursework and Toledo-based classroom experiences.

The program includes courses such as circuit analysis and mathematics for technology. Graduates from this program are prepared to repair, calibrate, and evaluate the performance of electro-mechanical equipment.

  • Location: Toledo, OH
  • Duration: Two years
  • Tuition: $167.50 per credit (residents); $335 per credit (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Association of Technology Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE)

Texas State Technical College offers a biomedical equipment technology associate degree from Texas State Technical College at the Harlingen and Waco campuses. The associate degree program requires 60 credits and can be completed in 20 months. The final semester of the program includes a hands-on internship experience to ready students for the workforce. Courses are offered at both campuses via in-person and in hybrid formats.

  • Location: Waco TX
  • Duration: 20 months
  • Tuition: $294 per credit (residents); $439 per credit (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Southern Association for Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
School City State Website grads (2018)
MiraCosta College Oceanside California www.miracosta.edu 59
Santa Fe College Gainesville Florida www.sfcollege.edu 9
Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Illinois web.iit.edu 5
2017-2018 School Data from IPEDS (Sourced in November, 2019)

Biomedical Technician Core & Elective Courses

Though biomedical technician schools can have somewhat varied programs, there are similarities in core and elective courses. These courses fall into the main categories of biomedical technology-specific courses, mathematics, general science courses, and electives.

The courses that focus on biomedical technology and equipment include titles like:

  • Biomedical instrumentation
  • Circuit analysis
  • Diagnostic imaging systems
  • Healthcare tech diagnosis and repair
  • Introduction to circuit analysis
  • Medical circuits
  • Networking and data communication in healthcare
  • Physiological instruments
  • Semiconductor devices and analog circuits
  • Shop skills for biomedical equipment
  • Solid-state devices

Students should keep in mind that although the titles of courses are different from school to school, the general biomedical equipment topics covered are the same.

In more general courses, many students will take algebra, physics, and chemistry. In addition, students may select non-technical courses from the humanities or the arts course catalogs in programs that allow electives. However, these electives are more common in the two to four-year training programs and are not likely to be found in the shorter certificate programs available.

Biomedical Technology Program Accreditation

There are two accrediting bodies for biomedical technology programs in the United States: The Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

The ATMAE offers accreditation in various technology-based programs, from biomedical technician programs to architectural science programs to web analyst degrees. For a complete listing of ATMAE accreditation offerings, visit their ATMAE directory of accredited programs. The organization also offers accreditation beginning at the associate of applied science and extending through master of science (MS) programs.

ATMAE accreditation includes an application from the program and a thorough on-site visit consisting of a team of at least three experts who evaluate the school for its curriculum, facilities, faculty, and more. In addition, the ATMAE accreditation is currently using its 2021 Accreditation Handbook to assess all new applicant schools.

ABET offers accreditation to many different types of engineering programs. The ABET accreditation process includes a self-study completed by program administrators and an on-site visit to determine eligibility. With ABET, the process takes approximately 18 months to complete. A full explanation of that process is available on the ABET site.

Interested students should also keep in mind that schools can seek overall institutional accreditation in addition to the program-specific accreditation provided by bodies such as the ATMAE and ABET. Institutional accreditation considers many facets of the school and generally comes from an organization that the US Department of Education recognizes.

Some such accrediting bodies are the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). To ensure educational quality, prospective students are encouraged to confirm a school’s accreditation status before enrolling.

Career Outlook

From 2021 to 2031, job openings for medical equipment repairers are expected to grow 17 percent, which is more than three times the national average for all occupations during that time period (BLS 2022).

In addition, advancements in medical technology will continue to lead to more advanced medical equipment that will need regular service and maintenance from trained biomedical technicians. However, those with more education and experience will have a better time competing for jobs.

The growth of the aging population in the United States and increased overall access to healthcare are expected to lead to an increased demand for virtually all healthcare professionals, including biomedical technicians.

Consumers and physicians will continue to stress the need for non-invasive procedures and sophisticated diagnostics, which necessitate more complex machinery and the people to repair those machines. The BLS estimates that 10,000 new positions will be needed in the coming decade (BLS 2022).

As the complexity of machines continues to increase, biomedical technicians entering the field may be more inclined to specialize in one type of machine or one area of diagnostics because there will simply be more to know about the inner workings of these highly sophisticated machines.

Career Facts Biomedical Technician
Related CareersMedical and Clinical Laboratory Technician
Common Job TitlesBiomedical Technician, Biomedical Technician (Biomed Tech), Biomedical Electronics Technician, Biomedical Engineering Technician (BMET), Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET), Dental Equipment Technician, X-Ray Service Engineer
Technology & EquipmentPressure Indicators, Ventilator Accessories, Voltage or Current Meters, Office and Productivity Software
Sourced from BLS 2022

Biomedical Technician Licensing & Certification

There is no standard licensing or certification procedure for biomedical technicians. Instead, like many medical technologist careers, those who wish to improve their career options by obtaining an officially recognized biomedical technician certification may do so.

The most common certification for biomedical technicians in the US is the Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) credential awarded by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).

According to the AAMI, this certification shows that a BMET is “expected to have experience in a wide range of electromechanical devices, computers, networks, and software used in the delivery of healthcare.”

Although there is no requirement that any biomedical technician obtains this certification, certified technicians may find more and better-paying career opportunities available to them. Further, those biomedical technicians who are currently working and wish to improve their position in the workplace may want to pursue certification.

Indeed, to apply for certification, there is a work experience prerequisite, with a minimum of two years of full-time BMET work in addition to an associate's degree from a biomedical academic program or four years of full-time work as a BMET. Information about other avenues for certification is available on the Certification FAQ page of the AAMI website.

Biomedical equipment technicians who wish to be certified but do not yet qualify may become certified candidates, demonstrating a professional commitment to employers when seeking career and advancement opportunities.

Rachel Drummond
Rachel Drummond Writer

Rachel Drummond is a freelance writer, educator, and yogini from Oregon. She’s taught English to international university students in the United States and Japan for more than a decade and has a master’s degree in education from the University of Oregon. A dedicated Ashtanga yoga practitioner, Rachel is interested in exploring the nuanced philosophical aspects of contemplative physical practices and how they apply in daily life. She writes about this topic among others on her blog (Instagram: @racheldrummondyoga).