California Phlebotomy Certification
Below, you will find detailed information regarding the State of California Phlebotomy Certification process. If you would like detailed information on the specific requirements and steps necessary to obtain your California Phlebotomy Certificate, please review our California Phlebotomy Certification Matrix below.
How to Apply for a Phlebotomy Certificate (click here)Online Registration via California State Testing Portal
Follow the directions below to register online for your California State Phlebotomy Exam:
- Go to https://www.ncctinc.com/Certifications/Application.aspx
- You will be taken to the online application page. Fill out the online application, and take special note of the following:
- Under the Certification tab:
- Certification Type: Phlebotomy Technician
- Test Format: Paper
- Test Fee: Student Fee
- Under the Payment Options tab:
- School Billing Code: 46568
- Under the Certification tab:
What is the status of phlebotomy certification in California?
Effective April 9, 2003, all persons performing phlebotomy who are not California licensed physicians, nurses, clinical lab scientists, or other licensed professionals where phlebotomy is not in their scope of practice must be certified as a phlebotomist before they can draw blood.
What is the difference between the old certification and new certification?
Persons who were certified prior to April 9, 2003 ("old certification") and who were employed as phlebotomists as of that date can continue to work until December 31, 2006 provided their application for State certification was submitted to the California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services (LFS) by July 1, 2006. Sometimes this is called "grand-fathering". All other persons must have the new certification in order to work as a phlebotomist.
What kinds of new phlebotomy certification are there?
There are three kinds of California Phlebotomy Certifications:
- A Limited Phlebotomy Technician is authorized to do skin puncture blood collection only.
- A Certified Phlebotomy Technician I is authorized to do venipunctures and skin punctures.
- A Certified Phlebotomy Technician II is authorized to do venipunctures, arterial punctures and skin punctures.
Where do I get an application form and where do I send it?
You are encouraged to apply online and pay via credit card by following the instructions at the top of this page.
You may also download a printable application form on the LFS web site.
What do I have to do to obtain my California Phlebotomy Certification?
A person without any phlebotomy experience must meet the following requirements:
- Be a high school graduate or have completed a GED (proof of higher education may be provided in lieu of high school graduation)
- Complete a 40 hour phlebotomy course from an approved and licensed school such as RCI
- Complete a minimum of 40 hours phlebotomy experience that includes at least 50 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures
- Pass a State of California approved phlebotomy certification exam
- Apply for certification and pay the application fee
A person with fewer than 1040 hours phlebotomy experience (half a year) must meet the following requirements:
- Be a high school graduate or have completed a GED (proof of higher education may be provided in lieu of high school graduation)
- Complete a 40 hour phlebotomy course from an approved and licensed school such as RCI
- Document completion of at least 50 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures on the job
- Pass a State of California approved phlebotomy certification exam
- Apply for certification and pay the application fee
A person with more than 1040 hours phlebotomy experience (more than half a year) must meet the following requirements:
- Be a high school graduate or have completed a GED (proof of higher education may be provided in lieu of high school graduation)
- Complete a 20 hour phlebotomy course from an approved and licensed school such as RCI
- Document completion of at least 50 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures on the job
- Pass a State of California approved phlebotomy certification exam
- Apply for certification and pay the application fee
More Information
The RCI staff has helped thousands of students become California State Certified Phlebotomists. Call or schedule a visit with an RCI staff member for more information.
Note: Some requirements may have changed since the publishing of this website.
Current requirements and detailed information is also always available at the LFS web site.
What do I have to do to get phlebotomy certification?
I have no phlebotomy experience:
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I have fewer than 1040 hours of phlebotomy experience (half a year)
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I have more than 1040 hours of phlebotomy experience.
Click Here
Click here for detailed information on the specific requirements and steps necessary to obtain Phlebotomy and other State and National Certifications.