How to Become a Phlebotomist
To become a phlebotomist, finish a phlebotomy training program, then earn the credential your state or employer asks for. California issues a state certificate after an approved program of at least 40 lecture hours, 40 clinical hours, 10 skin punctures and 50 venipunctures, plus an approved exam. Washington issues a medical assistant-phlebotomist credential and Nevada a laboratory assistant certificate, each earned by one of three routes, one of them a phlebotomy certification. Louisiana issues a phlebotomist certificate ($40, renewed every year) by one of 2 routes that both end in an exam. Each state below is summarized from its own rule text.
Updated October 2026 · Sources: state phlebotomy rules (linked per state), IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
- Colleges with phlebotomy programs
- 319IPEDS 2023–24
- Certificates under 12 weeks
- 154colleges awarding them
- Median college price
- $2,06054 colleges reporting
- U.S. median pay
- $45,230$21.75/hr · BLS May 2025
Phlebotomy certification requirements by state
| State | State credential | Minimum training | Exam | State fee | Colleges | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | State phlebotomy certificate | 40 lecture + 40 clinical | Required | $50 | 19 | $56,040 |
| Louisiana | Phlebotomist certificate | 20 lecture hours (or adequate practical hours) | Required | $40 | 11 | $36,120 |
| Nevada | Laboratory assistant certificate | 6 months (training route) | One of 3 routes | $60 | 4 | $45,760 |
| Washington | Medical assistant-phlebotomist credential | Set by program | One of 3 routes | — | 14 | $48,880 |
Each row comes from that state's phlebotomy rules, read in full in October 2026 (citations on each state page). "—" means the rules we read do not set it. Colleges: schools reporting phlebotomy programs to IPEDS 2023–24. Pay: BLS May 2025 median for phlebotomists. We add a state once we have read its rules; for the rest, see phlebotomy classes by state.
What every path has in common
- Finish a training program. California's rule, for example, requires teaching anatomy, infection control, patient identification, tube types and order of draw, then supervised draws on patients, and sets minimum hours; Washington lets a supervising health care practitioner set them; Nevada's training route is at least 6 months of training approved by the state; Louisiana's needs 20 lecture hours (or adequate practical hours) and 100 successful venipunctures and 25 successful capillary collections.
- Get certified. California requires an exam from a certifying organization it has approved. In Washington and Nevada a phlebotomy certification is one of three routes to the state credential. In Louisiana both routes end in an exam: one the board approves or gives after training, or a nationally recognized one.
- Apply to the state, where it issues a credential, and keep the credential current. California and Nevada certificates are renewed every 2 years with proof of continuing education; Louisiana's every year.
National phlebotomy certifications
Washington's rule names six organizations whose phlebotomist certification counts toward its state credential (WAC 246-827-0400):
- American Certification Agency
- American Medical Certification Association
- American Medical Technologists
- American Society of Clinical Pathology
- National Center for Competency Testing
- National Healthcareer Association
Nevada's rule also names six organizations for its laboratory assistant certificate (NAC 652.4855 (laboratory assistant qualifications)). Its list includes the National Phlebotomy Association, which Washington's does not.
Louisiana's rule names 8 organizations whose nationally recognized phlebotomy exam qualifies you for its certificate (LAC 46:XLV §3509 (qualifications)): American Society of Clinical Pathologists, National Certification Agency, American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians, National Phlebotomy Association, American Medical Technologists, American Association of Blood Banks, National Allied Health Test Registry and International Academy of Phlebotomy Science.
Each organization sets its own eligibility, fees and exam format; check with it directly. California keeps its own list of approved certifying organizations.
How long phlebotomy training takes
| Award length (IPEDS) | Colleges |
|---|---|
| Certificate (under 12 weeks) | 154 |
| Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 166 |
| Certificate (1-2 years) | 15 |
| Associate degree | 1 |
Colleges that graduated phlebotomy students at each award level in IPEDS 2023–24; one college can appear in several rows. Hospitals, labs and private schools that are not in federal student-aid data also train phlebotomists.
Becoming a phlebotomist: FAQ
How long does it take to become a phlebotomist?
It depends on the program. In IPEDS 2023–24, 154 of 319 colleges with phlebotomy programs graduated students from a certificate shorter than 12 weeks and 166 from a certificate of 12 weeks to a year; one college can offer both. California sets a floor for approved programs: 40 hours of lecture and 40 hours of clinical practice.
Do you need a license to be a phlebotomist?
It depends on the state. Some states issue their own credential. Of the states whose rules we have read, California issues a state phlebotomy certificate ($50 for a two-year certificate), Washington a medical assistant-phlebotomist credential, Nevada certifies phlebotomists as laboratory assistants ($60, renewed every 2 years for $45), and Louisiana issues a phlebotomist certificate ($40, renewed every year), though its rule exempts phlebotomists employed or supervised by a hospital, a nursing home, a board-licensed physician, or a licensed clinic or facility that does lab testing. For other states, ask the state health department or the employer; we add a state here once we have read its rules.
Which phlebotomy certification exams are there?
Washington's rule lists six national organizations whose phlebotomist certification it accepts: American Certification Agency, American Medical Certification Association, American Medical Technologists, American Society of Clinical Pathology, National Center for Competency Testing and National Healthcareer Association. California accepts an exam from a certifying organization the state health department has approved. Nevada's rule names six as well; its list adds the National Phlebotomy Association. Louisiana's rule names 8: American Society of Clinical Pathologists, National Certification Agency, American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians, National Phlebotomy Association, American Medical Technologists, American Association of Blood Banks, National Allied Health Test Registry and International Academy of Phlebotomy Science.
How much does phlebotomy school cost?
54 colleges report a price for their phlebotomy program: median $2,060 for tuition plus books and supplies (IPEDS 2023–24). Certification exam and state fees are extra.
How much do phlebotomists make?
The U.S. median for phlebotomists was $45,230 a year ($21.75 an hour) in BLS May 2025 data, across 143,540 jobs.