How to Become a Phlebotomist
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A phlebotomy career enables professionals to work with various people and draw blood at hospitals and healthcare sites or even through unique jobs. For example, some phlebotomists might go from home to home to collect blood samples from life insurance applicants used in underwriting procedures to determine their eligibility and rates.
Other phlebotomists draw blood at clinics to rule out or diagnose medical conditions. Finally, some phlebotomists work at blood banks and are tasked with keeping blood donors safe, comfortable, and entertained while donating vital fluids to save lives.
Phlebotomists primarily collect blood using a procedure known as venipuncture, in which a vein is punctured to collect blood. For this reason, they should be comfortable working with blood and needles and collecting and transporting samples.
A phlebotomy program teaches students the procedures to perform venipuncture correctly and safely so that they understand how to protect themselves. Safety and accuracy are essential skills for phlebotomists. In addition, for many patients, having blood drawn can be an uncomfortable experience fraught with anticipation and anxiety, so phlebotomists must also have a calm and compassionate chair-side manner.
Careers in phlebotomy are in high demand for nearly every healthcare facility. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) shows that phlebotomy jobs are expected to grow 8 percent nationally between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the national average for all occupations at 4 percent in the same period.
In this same decade, a staggering 11,000 new positions are anticipated in industries such as hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, ambulatory healthcare, physician offices, and outpatient care centers. In addition, long-term care and home health jobs are also in high demand, and most phlebotomists work full-time.
If working with blood and needles is not a career deal-breaker, read on to learn more about becoming a phlebotomist.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Phlebotomist?
Becoming a phlebotomist can take a year or less, depending on the education program and whether a student pursues national certification. A few states also have different certification requirements for employment in that state, and this may make the process longer.
Education programs can take from as little as eight weeks to less than a year to finish, depending upon the school type, and program students enroll in. Programs at vocational schools may be quicker, whereas community college programs could take longer. Completing a program’s instructional and clinical hours is essential to obtaining a certificate or diploma and finding employment.
National certification is generally not required but can help obtain employment. Depending on how prepared a student is for the exam and how motivated they are to seek certification, it could take several months or more to complete. However, there are generally time limitations when a student can have completed a program and still sit for national certification.
Certification is required in only a few states, so it is possible to work as a phlebotomist in less than a year, particularly when a student enrolls in one of the quicker-paced programs.
Phlebotomy Program Cost & Career Salary
Phlebotomy programs aren’t costly relative to the salary you can earn. Courses range in cost from $700 to $3,000, depending on the school and length of training. Additionally, students pursuing certification must pay $90 to $200 for the test fee. States requiring licensure will also incur a $58 to $200 cost.
The BLS (May 2023) reports that the mean hourly wage for the field was $20.74, equivalent to $43,130 annually. However, California, Washington, New York, Maryland, and Delaware had higher mean wages for phlebotomists—all above $48,000.
It does take special skills to become a phlebotomist. Constant client interaction and fast-paced workplaces require that professionals in the field have the following:
- Compassion: Because some people do not like to have their blood drawn, phlebotomists need to be understanding and compassionate about this anxiety and fear.
- Dexterity: Since phlebotomists insert needles into a vein, they need to be accurate and precise in what they do. Good hand-eye coordination is necessary, but so is the ability to insert a needle into a vein during the first attempt.
- Attention to detail: Not only do phlebotomists need to be able to draw blood, but they must also draw the correct amounts, do so for the number of tests needed, collect that blood, track it, and enter it into a database. Phlebotomists must take extreme care not to mix up or incorrectly label samples.
Many phlebotomists work in laboratory settings, but others work for ambulatory services, providing them with more flexibility on the job. Still, they may need to work weekends or evening hours, like in a laboratory.
Keep reading to discover more about becoming a phlebotomist, including the steps toward education and national certification.
Steps to Become a Phlebotomist – Education & Experience
Many people want to know how to become a phlebotomist, so here are some general steps to take:
Step 1: Complete High School (four years)
Students should have a high school diploma or a GED to be accepted into phlebotomy programs. In fact, students can enter most programs directly upon completing high school. Students who wish to pursue this career should take health, science, and psychology courses to help prepare them for additional studies.
Step 2: Complete an Accredited Phlebotomy Program (eight to 52 weeks)
A phlebotomy education typically takes a year or less to complete. Graduates receive a certificate or diploma. These programs, usually available through vocational schools and community colleges, include anatomy, medical terminology, and physiology education. Classroom and lab work are essential components of instruction, and while the requirements for enrollment can vary, they may include:
- High school diploma or GED
- A minimum GPA while in high school
- Immunization records
- Background check
- CPR certification
Once accepted into a program, students typically need to pay tuition and fees. These may or may not cover the costs of textbooks and a uniform. Also, students who drop out of a program after enrolling may be assessed a withdrawal fee.
When enrolling, students may wish to look for a program approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Around 49 phlebotomy programs nationwide are listed as approved on the NAACLS site as of October 2024, meaning that they have reached specific education standards in phlebotomy and that staff and faculty have attained specific education levels.
Step 3: Pursue Professional Phlebotomy Certification (timelines vary)
While phlebotomy certification is not required in all states, it does increase employability. California, Louisiana, Nevada, and Washington require phlebotomists to hold a certification.
The eligibility requirements for a certification exam vary based on the testing agency. However, for all agencies, aspiring professionals must:
- Complete a phlebotomy education course
- Hold a current CPR certification
- Have graduated from high school or have obtained a GED
- Complete the required clinical training either with a necessary number of on-the-job training hours or several venipunctures
Students should verify the requirements with each testing agency to ensure they meet them. Once requirements are met, students can apply to take the exam for certification. Top recognized certification agencies include:
- American Certification Agency for Healthcare Professionals (ACA)
- American Medical Certification Association (AMCA)
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
Fees for these exams and the format of the tests vary. Fees range from $58 to $200. The phlebotomy exam through the National Center for Competency Testing, for example, comprises 100 scored questions and 25 unscored pretest items. Students have three hours for testing and may need to demonstrate practical knowledge of some skills, such as taking blood. For a comprehensive guide, please visit our page on phlebotomy certification.
Step 4: Maintain Certification (annually)
Continuing certification requirements will vary depending on the organization. However, an annual fee and completion of continuing education are typical requirements. Maintaining certification demonstrates a professional’s dedication to maintaining quality work continuously and has met knowledge standards set by a third-party agency.
The BLS reports the job prospects are the best for those who receive certification from any available reputable certifying organizations. In other words, although certification may take extra work and an ongoing commitment to education, having a certification can result in career benefits.
Accredited Phlebotomist Certificate Programs
Phlebotomy programs are generally offered on-campus at schools and institutions since students need to gain hands-on blood withdrawal and collection skills. Below is a look at some of the programs that aspiring phlebotomists can find in the U.S., but remember that these only represent a small sample of available programs nationwide.
Abrams College, in Modesto, California, offers an intensive program that leads to California phlebotomy certification. Graduates of this program may perform blood-drawing procedures in California in healthcare settings, clinical laboratories, and hospitals. The program is divided into two sections. These include a didactic classroom portion and an externship portion. To be eligible for the internship, students must successfully complete the didactic portion.
The didactic portion of this phlebotomy program is two weeks long, accounting for 48 hours of classroom study, for which students need to pass all exams and requirements at skill stations to move on to the externship experience.
The externship is 40 hours and occurs in a clinical laboratory or hospital. Upon successful completion, students receive a certificate and should be eligible to seek national certification and state licensure.
- Location: Modesto, CA
- Accreditation: Abrams College is approved and licensed by the California Department of Public Health Services
- Expected Time to Completion: Three weeks
Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio, offers a short-term certificate in laboratory phlebotomy. The didactic curriculum is skills-based and trains students in blood collection, special blood-collecting techniques, medical terminology, ethics, and other related areas. In addition, students must complete an eight-week clinical externship in a hospital or medical clinic.
This 16-credit program includes courses such as introduction to medical terminology; critical thinking in healthcare; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; introduction to blood collection; and fundamentals of interpersonal communication.
In the past three years, graduates from this program have earned a cumulative 93 percent pass rate on certification exams and 100 percent job placement upon completing this NAACLS-accredited program. In addition, transfer programs are available for students who want to earn a bachelor’s degree from a partnership institution.
- Location: Cleveland, OH
- Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two semesters
Preparing students from diverse backgrounds to become competent phlebotomists, Delgado Community College’s NAACLS-accredited phlebotomy program provides students with the skills, attitudes, and knowledge to perform their jobs effectively and efficiently and prepares them to meet licensing and certification standards and to sit for the national certification examination.
This 12-credit program comprises two lecture courses and one phlebotomy practicum. Courses include an introduction to phlebotomy and the structure and function of body systems.
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: One semester
Fletcher Technical Community College
Fletcher Technical Community College offers a hybrid phlebotomy program that can be completed in one semester and is offered in each fall and spring semester. Provides instruction on venipuncture, basic anatomy, infection control, and physiology, this 16-credit program includes five online lecture courses, a two-week clinical component in a clinic setting or hospital, and an in-person student lab.
Under the direct supervision of a preceptor or instructor, students in this program participate in clinical activities in a hospital. Notably, this program also prepares graduates to take the Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
The curriculum includes courses such as introduction to healthcare; medical terminology; phlebotomy principles; phlebotomy techniques; phlebotomy techniques lab & clinical experiences; and body structure and function.
- Location: Schriever, LA
- Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: One semester
Southeast Arkansas College’s one-semester phlebotomy program introduces students to the proper collection, handling, and transport of blood including blood collection equipment, capillary collection, and venipuncture. Other topics such as collection of urine and other body fluids, specimen collection procedures, pre-analytic complications, collection from pediatric, adult, geriatric, home, and long-term care clients, and forensic toxicology are also covered.
Through nine credits of courses in phlebotomy, professionalism, patient relations, and medical technology, students are ready to sit for national exams to earn certification in phlebotomy.
- Location: Pine Bluff, AR
- Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: One semester
