Phlebotomy Certification Resources

Congratulations on making it through your phlebotomy training! If you're wondering where to go from here, there are three major associations waiting to make you an official, certified phlebotomist. The American Society for Clinical Pathology, the National Phlebotomy Association, and the American Medical Technologists each offer certification once you meet their widely recognized standards.

American Society for Clinical Pathology

The American Society for Clinical Pathology offers the Phlebotomy Technician (PBT) certification. To earn this certification, a phlebotomist must pay a $125 application fee and meet the requirements for the one these six different options:

  1. Possess a high school diploma (or equivalent) AND have completed a NAACLS-approved phlebotomy program or a phlebotomy program approved by the California Department of Health Services within the last five years.
  2. Possess a high school diploma (or equivalent) AND have completed an acceptable two-part formal structured phlebotomy within the last five years that must consist of 40 hours of classroom training, including anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system, specimen collection, specimen processing and handling, and laboratory operations AND 100 hours of clinical training and orientation in a CLIA- regulated, accredited laboratory with a minimum performance of 100 successful unaided blood collections including venipunctures and skin punctures.
  3. Possess a high school diploma (or equivalent) AND have completed one year of full-time work experience as a phlebotomy technician in a CLIA-regulated, accredited laboratory within the last five years. This experience must include venipunctures and skin punctures.
  4. Possess a high school diploma (or equivalent) AND have completed an RN, LPN, or other acceptable, accredited allied health professional/occupational education which includes phlebotomy training and orientation in a CLIA-regulated, 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 a notarized copy of a certificate of completion from the accredited allied health program they completed.
  5. Possess MT/MLS(ASCP) or MLT(ASCP) certification
  6. Possess DPT(ASCP) certification AND a minimum performance of 100 successful, unaided non-donor blood collections including venipunctures and skin punctures in a CLIA-regulated, accredited laboratory within the last 5 years.

National Phlebotomy Association

The National Phlebotomy Association is a nonprofit organization that specializes in phlebotomy certification. To obtain certification through this organization, a phlebotomist must pass a certification exam after meeting the following requirements:

  • Complete an allied health program that includs venipuncture techniques and clinical training. The program must award 16 continuing education units or be offered as a course with at least 160 contact hours of lecture time, excluding the phlebotomy practical. The training program must include at least 200 hours of practical experience either with mannequins or clinical practicum or a combination of both.
  • Submit a transcript evaluation indicating completion of the required courses.
  • Through the Reclamation Clause, a phlebotomist and other health care workers that have phlebotomy within their job description can become certified if they:
    • Are currently employed with phlebotomy duties included in their job description.
    • Have at least one year of work experience. It must be a minimum of one year of paid or volunteer experience. Clinical experience is not acceptable.
    • Submit a letter from an employer or supervisor verifying the length of their employment.
    • Pay a certification fee of $130.

American Medical Technologists

The American Medical Technologists organization offers a range of certifications, including the Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) designation. By offering easy access to information on continuing education courses and workshops, the AMT makes the post-certification process a little easier for new technicians. To earn the RPT certification, a phlebotomist must meet the following requirements:

  • Be of good moral character.
  • Be a graduate of, or scheduled to graduate from:
    • A phlebotomy program that is accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
    • An acceptable program in an institution accredited by a regional accrediting commission or by a national accrediting organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Have successfully completed an acceptable phlebotomy training program which includes at least 120 hours of didactic instruction and 120 hours of clinical practicum.
  • Have completed at least 1,040 hours of acceptable work experience as a phlebotomy technician within the past three years, including experience with venipunctures, skin punctures, specimen processing, communication skills, and clerical duties.
  • If you are applying under the above requirements, you must have completed a minimum of 50 successful venipunctures and 25 successful skin punctures, and you must take and pass the AMT certification examination for RPTs.
  • If you have passed a phlebotomist examination for the purpose of state licensure, you are eligible for RPT certification.
  • If you hold other phlebotomy certifications that were obtained by examination, and meet the AMT training and experience requirements, you may be considered for RPT certification without further examination.

Other Resources

The aforementioned three organizations are the predominant certification agencies for phlebotomy technicians. However, there are other agencies that serve phlebotomists in important ways:

Article Resources:

American Society for Clinical Pathology
National Phlebotomy Association
American Medical Technologists

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