Top 11 Phlebotomy Technician Certifications

Certifications are important for a phlebotomy technician in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the technician has achieved a certain level of expertise and understanding of phlebotomy procedures. Employers want to know that their phlebotomy technicians have been trained properly and understand how to perform their duties safely and accurately. Certifications also show that the technician has completed an approved training program, which increases their credibility in the eyes of employers. A certification can also provide additional opportunities for career advancement and salary increases, as certified technicians may be eligible for higher-level positions or more competitive pay scales.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications available for Phlebotomy Technicians and explain how they can help to further their career.

What are Phlebotomy Technician Certifications?

Phlebotomy technician certification is a credential that certifies an individual has the skills and knowledge necessary to perform phlebotomy, which is the practice of drawing blood from patients for laboratory testing. Certification is granted by professional organizations or educational institutions and must be maintained through continuing education and other requirements.

Having a certification in phlebotomy can help individuals stand out among others in the job market. It demonstrates to employers that they have undergone specialized training and have acquired the knowledge needed to perform their job duties safely and competently. In addition, having a certification can open up additional opportunities for career advancement and higher salaries.

Certification also ensures that those performing phlebotomy are knowledgeable about safety protocols and best practices, as well as ethical considerations related to patient confidentiality. This helps protect both patients and practitioners from any potential medical errors or legal issues that may arise due to lack of understanding or negligence. Finally, it provides a sense of pride for those who have taken the time to become certified professionals in their field.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the requirements for phlebotomy technician certification in your state. Each state may have different requirements and it is important to know what they are before you start the process of becoming certified.

Related: What does a Phlebotomy Technician do?

Top 11 Phlebotomy Technician Certifications

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

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

American Medical Technologists (AMT) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) is a professional certification that demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to perform phlebotomy procedures. It is designed to recognize individuals who have met the standards of excellence in phlebotomy practice, as set forth by AMT.

To become certified, you must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam. The requirements include: completion of a formal phlebotomy training program approved by AMT, or completion of at least one year of full-time clinical experience in phlebotomy; and, current CPR certification.

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, infection control, specimen collection techniques, safety protocols, quality assurance procedures, laboratory operations and more. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete.

It typically takes three to six months to prepare for the exam depending on your level of experience and familiarity with the material. You can prepare for the exam through self-study or by taking a review course offered by an accredited institution or organization.

The cost for the exam varies from $90 - $150 depending on your membership status with AMT. In addition to the cost of the exam itself, you may also need to pay for study materials or review courses if you choose to take them.

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

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) certification is a professional credential that demonstrates a technician’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of phlebotomy. It is designed to recognize individuals who have successfully completed an accredited phlebotomy program and passed the NHA CPT exam.

To become certified as a CPT, individuals must complete an accredited phlebotomy program and pass the NHA CPT exam. The program typically takes around six months to complete and consists of both classroom instruction and hands-on training. Upon completion of the program, individuals can take the NHA CPT exam which consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as anatomy and physiology, specimen collection techniques, safety practices, medical terminology, laboratory operations, quality assurance procedures, patient care services, and more.

The cost for taking the NHA CPT exam is $125 for members of the National Healthcareer Association or $150 for non-members. The fee includes a one-year membership to the NHA if you are not already a member. Once you pass the exam you will receive your official certification from the NHA which will be valid for two years.

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

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) is a certification that is awarded to individuals who have successfully completed a phlebotomy training program and passed the certification exam. The CPT credential is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of qualified professionals in the field of phlebotomy.

To become an ASCP Certified Phlebotomy Technician, you must first complete a phlebotomy training program at an accredited institution. These programs typically take between six months and one year to complete, depending on the type of program you choose. After completing your training, you must then pass the ASCP CPT examination in order to be certified.

The cost of obtaining your ASCP CPT certification depends on several factors such as the type of program you choose and any additional fees associated with taking the exam. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500-$1000 or more to obtain your certification. This includes tuition costs for your phlebotomy training program, any applicable fees associated with taking the exam, and any other materials or supplies needed for studying for the exam.

Once you have obtained your ASCP CPT certification, it will be valid for three years before needing to be renewed. Renewal involves completing continuing education credits or retaking the exam if necessary.

4. National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-PBT)

The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-PBT) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to perform phlebotomy procedures in a safe and effective manner. The CPT-PBT certification is awarded after successful completion of an exam that tests the candidate’s knowledge of phlebotomy techniques, safety protocols, legal considerations, and other related topics.

To be eligible for the CPT-PBT certification, candidates must have completed an accredited phlebotomy training program or have at least one year of full-time experience as a phlebotomist. Candidates must also provide proof of current CPR certification.

The NCCT CPT-PBT exam is offered both online and in person at various locations throughout the United States. The cost of the exam varies depending on the location but typically ranges from $125 to $175. The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions and must be completed within two hours. Candidates are required to score at least 70% on the exam in order to pass and receive their certification.

Once certified, CPT-PBTs are required to renew their certifications every three years by completing continuing education credits or retaking the exam. The cost for renewal varies but typically ranges from $50-$75.

5. American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-PBT)

The American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-PBT) is a professional certification program for individuals who perform phlebotomy and other related laboratory services. The AAB CPT-PBT certification demonstrates that the individual has met the highest standards in the field of phlebotomy and is qualified to provide quality patient care.

To become certified, individuals must complete an AAB approved training program, pass an exam, and meet certain requirements regarding continuing education. The training program typically takes around three months to complete, with additional time needed for studying and preparing for the exam.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the provider offering the course. Generally, it costs between $500-$1000 to enroll in an AAB approved training program and take the exam. Additionally, there are fees associated with maintaining your certification such as annual renewal fees and continuing education requirements.

6. National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA-LPT) Certified Phlebotomy Technician

The National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA-LPT) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) credential is a certification program that recognizes individuals who have met the standards of knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of phlebotomy. It is designed to provide a nationally recognized standard of excellence for those practicing phlebotomy.

To become certified, an individual must complete a minimum of 40 hours of classroom instruction and demonstrate competency in performing venipunctures and skin punctures. After completing the classroom training, applicants must pass an examination administered by NCA-LPT. The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions covering topics such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, specimen collection techniques, safety procedures, infection control and quality assurance.

It typically takes about 4 months to complete the certification process from start to finish. Applicants should allow up to 8 weeks for their application to be processed by NCA-LPT after submitting all required documentation.

The cost for taking the CPT certification exam is $175 USD. There may be additional costs associated with obtaining the necessary classroom training depending on where you take it.

7. National Healthcareer Association's Clinical Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist Certification

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Clinical Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates mastery of the skills and knowledge necessary to perform as a clinical medical assistant and phlebotomist. This certification is designed for individuals who are currently working in, or interested in pursuing a career in, these fields.

To obtain this certification, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as patient care, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, laboratory procedures, infection control, safety protocols and more. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within two hours.

In order to be eligible to take the exam, applicants must have either completed an accredited medical assisting program or have at least one year of work experience as a medical assistant or phlebotomist.

The cost of the NHA Clinical Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist Certification exam is $155 for members of NHA and $200 for non-members. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their certification within four weeks.

8. American Red Cross Phlebotomy Certification

American Red Cross Phlebotomy Certification is a certification program designed to train individuals in the safe and effective collection of blood specimens. This certification is offered through the American Red Cross and is available to those who have completed their phlebotomy training programs. The certification process typically takes 4-6 weeks and requires that applicants complete an application, take a written exam, and demonstrate proficiency in drawing blood.

To get certified, applicants must first complete a Red Cross-approved phlebotomy training program. These programs are typically offered through community colleges, vocational schools, or private institutions. Upon successful completion of the program, applicants can then apply for the certification exam from the American Red Cross.

The cost of the exam varies depending on where it is taken but generally ranges from $100-$200. Once applicants pass the exam they will receive their certification which is valid for two years before needing to be renewed.

9. American Academy of Professional Coders' CPC-P Certification

American Academy of Professional Coders’ CPC-P Certification is a professional certification for medical coders. It is a credential that demonstrates a coder’s ability to accurately code medical services and procedures according to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding system. This certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

It typically takes six months to two years to get the CPC-P Certification, depending on how much prior knowledge and experience you have in medical coding. To get certified, you must first pass an exam administered by the AAPC. The exam covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, CPT coding principles, ICD-10 codes, modifiers, HCPCS codes, and other related topics.

The cost of the CPC-P Certification exam varies depending on your membership status with the AAPC. For non-members, it costs $399; for members it costs $299. After passing the exam, there is an additional fee of $50 for processing your application. Once you are certified, you will need to renew your certification every two years by completing continuing education credits or retaking the exam.

10. International Association of Health Care Professionals' Registered Phlebotomist

The International Association of Health Care Professionals’ Registered Phlebotomist (IAHCP-RP) certification is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform phlebotomy procedures in a safe and effective manner. The IAHCP-RP certification is intended for individuals who have completed an accredited phlebotomy training program.

It typically takes approximately four to six months to complete the required coursework and obtain the IAHCP-RP certification. To become certified, applicants must first complete an accredited phlebotomy training program and pass a comprehensive exam administered by the IAHCP. Applicants must also submit proof of their current CPR/BLS certification, as well as documentation of any relevant work experience or continuing education courses taken in the past three years.

The cost of obtaining the IAHCP-RP certification varies depending on the type of training program chosen and other factors such as any additional fees associated with taking the exam or obtaining CPR/BLS certification. Generally speaking, however, it can cost anywhere from $500-$1,000 to become certified.

Once certified, professionals are expected to maintain their credentials by completing continuing education courses every two years in order to remain in good standing with the IAHCP.

11. The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology's Certified Ophthalmic Assistant/Phlebotomist

The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology's Certified Ophthalmic Assistant/Phlebotomist (COA/CP) is a certification program that recognizes the knowledge and skills of ophthalmic assistants and phlebotomists. This certification is designed to ensure that those working in the field of ophthalmology have a comprehensive understanding of the profession, as well as the ability to provide quality patient care.

The COA/CP certification requires applicants to pass an exam administered by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, medical terminology, patient assessment and management, and instrumentation. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the COA/CP certification, applicants must have completed an accredited ophthalmic assistant or phlebotomy program or have at least one year of experience working in an ophthalmic setting. Applicants must also submit an application form with documentation verifying their eligibility requirements.

The cost for the COA/CP certification is $299 USD for US residents and $399 USD for international applicants. The fee includes both the application fee and the exam fee. Once certified, individuals must renew their certification every two years by completing continuing education credits and paying a renewal fee of $99 USD.

Do You Really Need a Phlebotomy Technician Certificate?

Yes, you do need a phlebotomy technician certificate in order to become a phlebotomist. A phlebotomy technician certificate is an important credential that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in the field of phlebotomy. This certification is necessary for any individual who wishes to pursue a career as a professional phlebotomist.

Having this certification demonstrates to employers that you have the necessary training and qualifications to perform phlebotomy services safely, accurately, and efficiently. In addition, having a certificate from an accredited program shows that you have received proper training from an approved institution and are knowledgeable about the latest techniques and procedures used in the field of phlebotomy.

Phlebotomy technicians are responsible for collecting blood samples from patients for various medical tests and procedures. The job requires skill and precision as mistakes can lead to serious consequences for patients. Therefore, having a certificate proves that you possess the knowledge and skills needed to properly collect blood samples without causing harm or discomfort to patients.

In addition, most employers will require applicants to hold a valid certification before they will be considered for employment opportunities as a professional phlebotomist. This ensures that their staff is qualified and capable of providing quality services while adhering to all safety protocols and regulations set by governing bodies in the healthcare industry.

In conclusion, it is essential that any individual interested in pursuing a career as a professional phlebotomist holds a valid certificate from an accredited program before applying for jobs or seeking advancement opportunities within the field of phlebotomy.

Related: Phlebotomy Technician Resume Examples

FAQs About Phlebotomy Technician Certifications

1. What is the difference between a phlebotomy technician and a medical assistant?

Answer: A phlebotomy technician is trained to collect and process blood samples for laboratory testing, while a medical assistant performs administrative and clinical tasks in a physician's office or clinic.

2. How do I become certified as a phlebotomy technician?

Answer: To become certified as a phlebotomy technician, you must complete an accredited program and pass either the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification exam.

3. How long does it take to become certified as a phlebotomy technician?

Answer: Depending on your prior experience and educational background, it typically takes between 4-12 months to complete the necessary coursework and receive certification as a phlebotomy technician.

4. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a phlebotomy technician?

Answer: Yes, most programs require applicants to have completed high school or equivalent education prior to enrollment in the program, although some programs may require additional prerequisites such as CPR certification or completion of an anatomy and physiology course.

5. Is there an age requirement for becoming certified as a phlebotomy technician?

Answer: No, there is no minimum age requirement for becoming certified as a phlebotomy technician; however, many employers prefer applicants who are 18 years old or older with at least 1 year of healthcare experience.