Top 11 Certified Phlebotomy Technician Certifications

Certifications are important for a certified phlebotomy technician in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the technician has the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out their duties. A certification also shows employers that the technician is committed to their profession and has taken the time to pursue additional education and training. This can make a certified phlebotomy technician more attractive to potential employers, as it indicates an ability to stay up-to-date with new developments in the field. Additionally, many states require certain certifications for technicians, so having them is often necessary for obtaining licensure and employment.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Certified Phlebotomy Technicians and explain how these certifications can benefit a technician's career.

What are Certified Phlebotomy Technician Certifications?

Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) certification is a credential that is awarded to individuals who have met specific educational and professional requirements in the field of phlebotomy. A phlebotomist is a healthcare professional who specializes in drawing blood from patients for testing, transfusions, research, or donations.

CPT certification demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their job safely and competently. It also shows employers that the individual has achieved a certain level of proficiency in the practice of phlebotomy. The certification is offered by various organizations, such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). To become certified, individuals must complete an approved training program and pass an exam administered by the certifying body.

Having CPT certification can help career development in many ways. It can open up more job opportunities and sometimes lead to higher salaries or promotions. Additionally, it may be required for certain positions or employers might prefer to hire those with certification over those without it. Furthermore, having CPT certification can provide peace of mind knowing that one has met the standards of excellence set forth by a recognized certifying body in the field of phlebotomy.

Pro Tip: When pursuing a Certified Phlebotomy Technician Certification, make sure to research the requirements and timeline of the program in order to ensure that you meet the necessary criteria and can complete the program in a timely manner. Additionally, it is important to stay up-to-date on any changes or updates to the certification process, as these may affect your eligibility for certification.

Related: What does a Certified Phlebotomy Technician do?

Top 11 Certified Phlebotomy Technician Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Certified Phlebotomy Technicians today.

1. National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to perform phlebotomy procedures. It is a nationally recognized credential that verifies an individual’s proficiency in collecting, labeling, and transporting blood specimens for laboratory testing.

It takes approximately 6-8 weeks to prepare for the CPT exam. The NHA offers study materials such as practice exams, textbooks, and online courses to help candidates prepare for the exam. Candidates must also complete a minimum of 40 hours of clinical experience in order to be eligible to take the exam.

In order to obtain the CPT certification, applicants must pass the NHA’s CPT Exam with a score of at least 70%. The exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as specimen collection techniques, safety practices, anatomy and physiology related to phlebotomy, infection control procedures, and laboratory operations.

The cost of obtaining the CPT certification is $125 for members of NHA or $225 for non-members. This fee covers the cost of taking the exam, which is administered at Pearson Vue test centers throughout the United States.

2. American Medical Technologists (AMT) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)

American Medical Technologists (AMT) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) is a professional certification that certifies individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and skills in phlebotomy. This certification is intended to demonstrate the competency of an individual in performing venipuncture, skin punctures, and other related laboratory activities.

It typically takes about two months to complete the program and become certified. The first step is to complete a training program approved by AMT. Most programs include both classroom instruction and hands-on experience with real patients. After completing the program, you must pass an exam administered by AMT in order to receive your certification.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the program you choose, but typically ranges from $200-$1000. You may also need to pay for additional materials such as textbooks or study guides if required by your program. Additionally, you will need to pay a fee for taking the exam which can range from $125-$150 depending on where you take it.

Once you have become certified, you will need to renew your certification every three years by completing continuing education requirements set forth by AMT.

3. American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-P)

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-P) is a professional certification program for phlebotomists. It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of mastery in the practice of phlebotomy. The CPT-P certification demonstrates that an individual has met the educational and practical experience requirements established by ASCP and has passed a rigorous exam.

To become certified, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have successfully completed an accredited phlebotomy training program
• Have at least one year of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience in performing venipuncture and skin puncture procedures
• Pass the ASCP Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-P) Exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions covering topics such as anatomy and physiology, specimen collection, safety and infection control, laboratory operations, quality assurance, specimen processing, and more. The exam takes about two hours to complete.

The cost for taking the CPT-P Exam is $135 for members of ASCP and $185 for nonmembers. After passing the exam, there is an annual fee of $50 to maintain your certification status.

4. National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT)

The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) is a non-profit certification organization that provides professional certifications in various healthcare fields. The NCCT offers the National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT) certification, which is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to perform phlebotomy procedures safely and effectively.

To become an NCPT, candidates must complete a minimum of 120 hours of classroom or online instruction in phlebotomy theory and practice, including at least 10 hours of supervised clinical experience. Candidates must also pass the NCPT exam with a score of 70% or higher. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as patient identification, specimen collection techniques, infection control, safety protocols, and laboratory operations.

The entire process typically takes about three months to complete. Candidates can enroll in an accredited program or take self-study courses to prepare for the exam. Once the candidate has completed their training and passed the exam, they will receive their NCPT certification from the NCCT.

The cost of becoming an NCPT varies depending on the type of training program chosen and other factors such as location and materials needed. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $500-$2,000 USD.

5. American Certification Agency for Healthcare Professionals (ACA) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-A)

The American Certification Agency for Healthcare Professionals (ACA) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-A) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in the field of phlebotomy. The CPT-A certification is recognized by many employers and organizations as a sign of quality, safety, and competence.

To be eligible for the CPT-A certification, applicants must have completed an accredited phlebotomy training program, or have at least two years of experience in the field. Additionally, applicants must pass a written exam administered by ACA. The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions that cover topics such as anatomy and physiology, infection control, specimen collection techniques, patient care procedures, laboratory safety practices, and customer service skills.

It typically takes about three months to complete the application process and receive your CPT-A certification. Once you have successfully completed all requirements, you will receive your certificate in the mail.

The cost of the CPT-A certification varies depending on whether you are taking the exam online or in person. Online exams cost $100 while in-person exams cost $150. There may also be additional fees associated with taking the exam at an approved testing center or obtaining study materials from ACA.

6. International Association of Health Care Professionals (IAHCP) Certified Phlebotomy Technician I and II (CPT I & II )

The International Association of Health Care Professionals (IAHCP) Certified Phlebotomy Technician I and II (CPT I & II ) is a certification program for individuals who have completed an approved phlebotomy training program. The CPT I & II certifications are designed to recognize the competency of individuals in the field of phlebotomy.

The CPT I certification is intended for entry-level phlebotomists and requires applicants to have completed at least 40 hours of formal classroom instruction, including laboratory experience, and pass a written exam. The CPT II certification is intended for experienced phlebotomists and requires applicants to have completed at least 80 hours of formal classroom instruction, including laboratory experience, and pass a written exam.

To obtain either certification, applicants must submit an application form along with proof of their training program completion. After submitting their application materials, applicants must then take and pass the required written exam. Once they have passed the exam, they will be awarded their CPT I or CPT II certification.

The cost for obtaining either certification varies depending on the applicant’s location; however, it typically ranges from $100-$200 USD.

7. National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA-LP) Certified Phlebotomy Technician I and II

The National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA-LP) Certified Phlebotomy Technician I and II are two certifications that demonstrate a phlebotomist’s knowledge and skills in the field. The NCA-LP Certified Phlebotomy Technician I certification is designed to recognize entry-level phlebotomists who have completed an approved training program or have at least one year of experience in the field. The NCA-LP Certified Phlebotomy Technician II certification is designed to recognize experienced phlebotomists who have completed an approved training program or have at least three years of experience in the field.

In order to become certified, applicants must complete an application form, submit proof of education and/or experience, pass a written exam, and pay a fee. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, safety procedures, specimen collection techniques, and laboratory regulations. Applicants must answer at least 70% of the questions correctly in order to pass the exam.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on which level you are applying for. The fee for NCA-LP Certified Phlebotomy Technician I is $100 while the fee for NCA-LP Certified Phlebotomy Technician II is $150. It usually takes between 4-6 weeks to receive your certification once all requirements have been met.

8. American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) Certified Phlebotomist

The American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) Certified Phlebotomist is a professional certification for individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform safe and effective phlebotomy services. AAB Certified Phlebotomists are qualified to collect blood specimens from patients for laboratory testing.

To become certified as an AAB Certified Phlebotomist, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements and complete an approved training program. The training program consists of a minimum of 40 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of clinical practicum experience. Upon successful completion of the training program, applicants must pass the AAB Certification Examination in order to be certified.

The cost of becoming an AAB Certified Phlebotomist varies depending on the institution offering the training program. Generally, tuition fees range from $500 - $1,000 USD. Additionally, there is a fee for taking the certification exam which is currently set at $150 USD.

In total, it typically takes between 4-6 months to become an AAB Certified Phlebotomist depending on how quickly you complete your training program and pass the certification exam.

9. National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences(NAACLS)-Certified Phlebotomist

A NAACLS-Certified Phlebotomist is a healthcare professional who has been certified by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) to draw blood from patients for laboratory testing. The certification requires knowledge of phlebotomy techniques, safety protocols, and patient care.

It typically takes about 6 months to get your NAACLS-Certified Phlebotomist certification. To become certified, you must complete an accredited program in phlebotomy and pass a written exam administered by the NAACLS. The cost of the program and exam vary depending on the institution offering them.

To get your certification, you must first find an accredited program that offers a course in phlebotomy. Once you have completed the coursework, you can then register with the NAACLS to take their written exam. After passing the exam, you will receive your official certification as a NAACLS-Certified Phlebotomist.

The cost of getting your NAACLS-Certified Phlebotomist certification varies depending on where you take the course and how much it costs for registration and materials for the exam. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $500 to $2,000 or more depending on these factors.

10. The American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians(ASPT)-Certified Phlebotomy Technician

The American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT) is a professional organization that provides certification for individuals who wish to become certified phlebotomy technicians. To become certified, individuals must pass an exam administered by the ASPT. The certification process includes completing a minimum of 40 hours of classroom instruction and 80 hours of clinical training in a laboratory setting.

To get certified as a phlebotomy technician, you must first complete the required education and training program, which typically takes between six and twelve months to complete. After completing the program, you can then register with the ASPT to take their certification exam. The cost of the exam is $125 for members and $150 for non-members. Once you have passed the exam, you will be awarded your Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) credential. This credential is valid for two years and must be renewed every two years in order to maintain your status as a Certified Phlebotomy Technician.

11. The American Medical Technologists(AMT)-Registered Phlebotomy Technician

The American Medical Technologists (AMT) Registered Phlebotomy Technician is a certification program that provides recognition to individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to perform phlebotomy services safely and accurately. This certification is designed for those who are already employed in the field of phlebotomy, or those interested in entering the profession.

To become an AMT Registered Phlebotomy Technician, one must meet certain eligibility requirements, including:

• Completion of an accredited phlebotomy training program
• At least one year of full-time experience as a phlebotomist
• Current CPR certification
• Passing of the AMT Registered Phlebotomy Technician exam

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete all of the requirements needed to be eligible for the AMT Registered Phlebotomy Technician exam. The first step is to complete an accredited phlebotomy training program. These programs can be found at community colleges, vocational schools, or online programs. Once you have completed your training program, you will need to gain at least one year of full-time experience as a phlebotomist. After gaining this experience, you will need to obtain current CPR certification before taking the AMT Registered Phlebotomy Technician exam.

The cost of becoming an AMT Registered Phlebotomy Technician varies depending on your location and type of training program chosen. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500-$2,000 for tuition and fees related to completing a phlebotomy training program. Additionally, there is a fee associated with taking the AMT Registered Phlebotomy Technician exam which will vary depending on where you take it.

Do You Really Need a Certified Phlebotomy Technician Certificate?

The short answer is yes. A Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) certificate demonstrates to employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely and accurately collect blood specimens from patients. It also indicates that you have passed a certification exam administered by a recognized certifying agency, such as the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT).

Having a CPT certificate can help you stand out from other job applicants in the field of phlebotomy. It shows employers that you are serious about your career and that you are committed to providing quality patient care. This can give you an edge over those without certification when it comes to job opportunities.

In addition, having a CPT certificate may be required for certain positions in some states or organizations. For example, many hospitals and clinics require their phlebotomists to be certified before they can be hired. This ensures that all employees in the lab are adequately trained and qualified to perform their duties properly and safely.

Finally, having a CPT certificate provides proof of continuing professional development. Many certifying agencies offer continuing education courses that allow technicians to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in phlebotomy as well as any changes in regulations or best practices. Keeping up with these changes is essential for providing quality patient care while minimizing risk of errors or accidents.

In summary, having a Certified Phlebotomy Technician certificate is an important step towards establishing yourself as a qualified professional in the field of phlebotomy. Not only does it show employers that you possess the necessary skills and knowledge for the job, but it also demonstrates your commitment to providing quality patient care while keeping up with industry changes.

Related: Certified Phlebotomy Technician Resume Examples

FAQs About Certified Phlebotomy Technician Certifications

1. What is a Certified Phlebotomy Technician?

Answer: A Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) is a healthcare professional who specializes in collecting and processing blood samples for laboratory testing. CPTs are trained to draw blood from veins, arteries, and capillaries using proper safety techniques.

2. What qualifications do I need to become a Certified Phlebotomy Technician?

Answer: To become a Certified Phlebotomy Technician, you must complete an accredited phlebotomy training program, pass the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) certification exam, and maintain your certification with continuing education credits.

3. How long does it take to become a Certified Phlebotomy Technician?

Answer: The length of time required to become a Certified Phlebotomy Technician depends on the type of program you choose. Most programs require at least 200 hours of study and can be completed within 6 months or less.

4. What is the average salary for a Certified Phlebotomy Technician?

Answer: The average salary for a Certified Phlebotomy Technician is $33,000 per year. Salaries may vary based on location and experience level.

5. Are there any special requirements for becoming certified as a phlebotomist?

Answer: Yes, most states require that you be at least 18 years old and have completed an accredited phlebotomy training program before taking the national certification exam administered by the NHA.