Why Phlebotomy Certification is Important

Earning your certification as a phlebotomist is a great way to advance your career in phlebotomy. Although certification isn’t required, it is becoming more and more of a necessity in order to obtain a job as employers’ lean more toward hiring trained phlebotomists who possess the appropriate accreditations. Aside from certification improving your job security after training, it can also allow you to potentially increase your annual income.

Ultimately, becoming a certified phlebotomist means that you’ll be more suited to handle on-the-job tasks, and, more importantly, improve a patient’s experience and overall quality of life.

Becoming certified as a phlebotomist may not be a requirement, but it’s worthy to note that certification is mandatory in some states in the US:

It is required to be certified as a phlebotomist in order to work in the states of Washington, Nevada, California, and Louisiana.

Where to Obtain Phlebotomy Certification

To become a certified phlebotomist, you simply have to apply to one of the following nationally recognized certification organizations:

1. American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification

Phone: 312.541.4999
Examination Application Fee: $135

To be eligible for this examination an applicant must meet the requirements of at least one of the following options:

  • High school graduation (or equivalent), AND completion of a NAACLS approved phlebotomy program within the last five years.
  • High school graduation (or equivalent), AND completion of an acceptable two-part formal structured phlebotomy program in the U.S., Canada or an accredited laboratory within the last five years. This two-part program, to be arranged by the program director, must consist of: 40 clock hours of classroom training, including anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system, specimen collection, specimen processing and handling, and laboratory operations (e.g. safety, quality control, etc.), AND 100 clock hours of clinical training and orientation in an accredited laboratory with a minimum performance of 100 successful unaided blood collections including venipunctures and skin punctures.
  • High school graduation (or equivalent), AND completion of one year full time acceptable work experience as a phlebotomy technician in an accredited laboratory within the last five years. This experience must include venipunctures and skin punctures. (Full time experience is considered thirty-five hours per week).
  • High school graduation (or equivalent), AND successful completion of RN, LPN or other acceptable accredited allied health professional/occupational education which includes phlebotomy training and orientation in an accredited laboratory with a minimum performance of 100 successful unaided blood collections including venipunctures and skin punctures. Applicants must submit a notarized copy of their current state/provincial license for RN or LPN or notarized copy of a certificate of completion from the accredited allied health program they completed along with the application form.
  • MT/MLS(ASCP) or MLT(ASCP) certification.
  • DPT(ASCP) certification AND a minimum performance of 100 successful unaided non-donor blood collections including venipunctures and skin punctures in an accredited laboratory within the last five years.
  • High school graduation (or equivalent), AND completion of a phlebotomy program approved by the California Department of Public Health within the last five years.

2. American Medical Technologists (AMT) Certification

Phone: 847.823.5169
Exam Application Fee: $100 (local) / $120 (international)

To be eligible for this examination the applicant shall have graduated from, or scheduled to graduate from, an academic course (or combined courses) of study in phlebotomy that includes a minimum of 120 didactic clock hours (or as required by state law).must have graduated from their academic course of study within the past FOUR years.

OR

Applicant shall have completed at least 1,040 hours of acceptable work experience as a phlebotomy technician within the past three years; this to include venipunctures, skin punctures, specimen processing, communication skills, and clerical duties.  Proof of high school graduation (or equivalent) is required. All acceptable phlebotomy work experience credited towards certification must be earned in an approved healthcare facility.

Note: Whether applying through education or work experience applicant must have completed a minimum of 50 successful venipunctures and 10 successful skin punctures from human sources.

3. American Certification Agency (ACA) Certification

Phone: 574.277.4538
Exam Application Fee: $100

To be eligible for this examination applicant must meet one of the following requirements:

  1. Completed at least one year of work experience using phlebotomy skills
  2. Successful completion of a formal program (e.g. phlebotomy, laboratory assistant,   medical assistant, EMT, nursing,etc.) which includes didactic instruction and a minimum of 100 clinical hours. Must show documentation of having performed 100 successful venipunctures and 10 skin punctures.
  3. Have a current, valid certification obtained by an examination from another certification agency or society approved by ACA. These applicants will be considered for ACA certification without taking another exam. Re-certification requirements must be met.

4. National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certification

Phone: 800.499.9092
Exam Application Fee: $115

To be eligible for this examination applicant must have successfully completed a training program OR  have relevant work experience as described below. The training program or work experience includes successfully completing a minimum of thirty (30) venipunctures or ten (10) capillary sticks on live individuals.

Training Program: Within the past 5 years have successfully completed a Phlebotomy Technician training program offered by an accredited or state-recognized institution or provider.  This includes a formal Phlebotomy Technician training program offered by any branch of the U.S. Military if completed within the past 5 years. Training programs completed more than 5 years from today’s date require you to have the relevant work experience described below.

Work Experience:  Must have at least one (1) year of supervised Phlebotomy Technician work experience within the past three (3) years.

5. National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Certification

Phone: 800.875.4404
Exam Application Fee: $135 / $90 – Current student /Recent graduate / Veteran

To be eligible for this examination an applicant must meet the requirements of at least one of the following options:
1. Current Student in a Phlebotomy Technician program from an NCCT (authorized) school.

You must be a United States high school graduate or hold equivalent credentials

You must submit a copy of your Phlebotomy Technician diploma, certificate of completion, or transcript with graduation date within 60 days of graduation; or contact NCCT for other suitable arrangements.

You must complete and submit a Phlebotomy Technician Certification Critical Skill Competency form.

These documents are not required to take the exam, but your certificate will not be released until they are received.

2. Graduation from a Phlebotomy Technician program from an NCCT (authorized) school within the past FIVE years

You must be a United States high school graduate or hold equivalent credentials

You must submit a copy of your Phlebotomy Technician diploma, certificate of completion, or transcript with graduation date.

You must complete and submit a Phlebotomy Technician Certification Critical Skill Competency form.

3. One year of verifiable full-time experience as a Phlebotomy Technician practitioner within the past FIVE years

You must have one (1) year of full-time employment or equivalent (2080 hours) as a Phlebotomy Technician under the direct supervision of a certified/licensed physician or primary care provider within the past FIVE years.

You must submit a copy of your high school diploma (or equivalent) and the Phlebotomy Technician Certification Qualification by Experience form completed by your employer.

4. Completion of Phlebotomy Technician training or its equivalent during U.S. Military service within the past FIVE years

You must provide a copy of a SMART transcript or DD214 indicating you have successfully completed a formal medical services training program of the United States Armed Forces relating to the discipline for which you are testing. The DD214 or SMART transcript must be current within the past FIVE years.

You must complete and submit a Phlebotomy Technician Certification Critical Skill Competency form.