Your path to Phlebotomy
certification
Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
Earning your CPT credentials will help you
Fulfill employer requirements
Access better career opportunities
Maximize earning potential
Enhance knowledge & skills
What Does Certified Phlebotomy Technicians do?
Phlebotomy technicians are critical team members in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories and blood donor centers. As new types of tests are developed and laboratory tech positions grow, it's an especially exciting time to begin a career in this thriving field. Some tasks phlebotomy technicians may perform include:
- Drawing blood from patients and blood donors
- Evaluating patients’ ability to withstand the procedure and helping them feel comfortable
- Explaining blood-drawing procedure to patients and answering questions
- Performing basic point-of-care testing, such as reading blood glucose levels
- Preparing blood, urine and other specimens for testing
- Maintaining medical equipment such as needles, test tubes and blood vials
96% of employers require or encourage certification for Phlebotomy
(Source: 2025 Industry Outlook)
CPT Exam Eligibility
Possess a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency; or are scheduled to earn a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency in the next 12 months
Completed a phlebotomy technician training
or education program within the last 5 years
Provide evidence that you have successfully performed a minimum of thirty (30) venipunctures and ten (10) capillary or finger sticks on live individuals
OR
Possess a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency
1 year of supervised work experience in a phlebotomy technician field within the last 3 years; or 2 years of supervised work experience in a phlebotomy technician field within the last 5 years
Provide evidence that you have successfully performed a minimum of thirty (30) venipunctures and ten (10) capillary or finger sticks on live individuals.
5 steps to Phlebotomy certification
Apply for your exam
Create a free NHA account online, anytime, and submit your Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam application through your account portal.
Set a date
Select the date and location–online or in-person–for your exam. (An exam payment is required during this step.)
Prepare, prepare, prepare
Time to study! We're here to support you. We have study materials available, including an interactive study guide and phlebotomy practice test.
Take the exam
You'll take the two-hour exam either at your school, a PSI testing center near you or through live remote proctoring at the location of your choice.
Get your Results!
For online exams, NHA will officially post your certification results to your account page within two days of scoring your test.
