How to Become a Phlebotomist in California
California certifies phlebotomists through the California Department of Public Health (Laboratory Field Services). Finish an approved program with at least 40 hours of lecture and 40 hours of clinical practice, including 10 skin punctures and 50 venipunctures, then pass an approved certification exam and apply ($50 for 2 years). Every rule below is taken from the regulations themselves (17 CCR §§1031, 1031.1, 1035).
Updated October 2026 · Rules checked October 2026 · Sources: 17 CCR §§1031, 1031.1, 1035, IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
- Minimum training
- 80 hrs40 lecture + 40 clinical
- Certification exam
- Requiredstate-approved organization
- Colleges with phlebotomy programs
- 19IPEDS 2023–24
- California median pay
- $56,040$26.94/hr · BLS May 2025
California phlebotomy requirements at a glance
| Credential | State phlebotomy certificate |
|---|---|
| Issued by | California Department of Public Health (Laboratory Field Services) |
| Education | High school transcript, or a passing GED score or equivalent |
| Training | An approved phlebotomy training program: at least 20 hours of basic and 20 hours of advanced lecture, plus at least 40 hours of practice in a clinical setting |
| Practice | At least 10 skin punctures and 50 venipunctures, and observing arterial punctures |
| Exam | Pass a phlebotomy certification exam from a certifying organization approved by the department |
| State fee | $50 for a two-year certificate |
| Processing | The department tells you within 90 days of receiving your application whether it is complete |
| Renewal | Every 2 years: a renewal application with proof of continuing education from the previous 24 months and the $50 fee |
| Background | The application asks whether you have been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor other than minor traffic violations |
From 17 CCR §1035 (phlebotomy training programs), 17 CCR §1031 (applications) and 17 CCR §1031.1 (renewal), read in October 2026. Rules change: confirm with the California Department of Public Health (Laboratory Field Services) before you apply.
Step 1: Check that you qualify
High school transcript, or a passing GED score or equivalent. The application asks whether you have been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor other than minor traffic violations.
Step 2: Finish an approved phlebotomy program
An approved program gives at least 20 hours of basic and 20 hours of advanced lecture, then at least 40 hours of practice in a clinical setting with real patients. During or after that practice you must complete at least 10 skin punctures and 50 venipunctures; the curriculum also includes observing arterial punctures. Programs can be run by:
- A NAACLS-approved phlebotomy program
- An accredited college or university
- A private postsecondary or occupational program approved by the state's private-school bureau
- California Adult Education or a Regional Occupational Program (ROP)
- A U.S. military medical laboratory specialist program
- A California-licensed clinical laboratory
When you finish, the program gives you a signed certificate of completion; you send it with your application.
19 colleges in California report phlebotomy programs to the U.S. Department of Education; see them with costs and graduates. Hospitals, labs and private schools outside that federal data also train phlebotomists, so check a program's approval before you pay.
What college phlebotomy programs charge in California
8 colleges report a price: $2,020 to $20,550, median $4,916 for tuition plus books and supplies (IPEDS 2023–24). Median reported length: 48 weeks. More: how much phlebotomy classes cost by state.
| College (lowest prices) | City | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Healthcare Careers College | Los Angeles | $2,020 |
| Butte County Regional Occupational Program | Chico | $3,005 |
| Contra Costa Medical Career College | Antioch | $3,782 |
| Central Coast College | Salinas | $4,400 |
| Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos | San Marcos | $5,431 |
Price = tuition plus books and supplies, self-reported by colleges for 2023–24; it covers the college's largest phlebotomy program. Exam and state fees are extra.
Phlebotomy classes in California's biggest metro areas
Step 3: Pass an approved certification exam
Pass a phlebotomy certification exam from a certifying organization approved by the department. Check with the California Department of Public Health (Laboratory Field Services) that your exam is on its approved list before you register. National phlebotomy certifications.
Step 4: Apply to the California Department of Public Health (Laboratory Field Services)
Send your application with proof of education and training and your exam result. Fee: $50 for a two-year certificate. The department tells you within 90 days whether the application is complete.
Keep it current. Every 2 years: a renewal application with proof of continuing education from the previous 24 months and the $50 fee.
13,520 phlebotomists work in California. The median earns $56,040 a year; the top 10% earn $74,340 or more (BLS May 2025). California phlebotomist pay by metro area.
Phlebotomy requirements by state
| State | Minimum training | Exam | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 40 lecture + 40 clinical | Required | 19 |
| Louisiana | 20 lecture hours (or adequate practical hours) | Required | 11 |
| Nevada | 6 months (training route) | One of 3 routes | 4 |
| Washington | Set by program | One of 3 routes | 14 |
Only states whose phlebotomy rules we have read in full are listed. How to become a phlebotomist: all states compared.
Becoming a phlebotomist in California: FAQ
Is there a state phlebotomy license in California?
Yes: the state phlebotomy certificate, issued by the California Department of Public Health (Laboratory Field Services). Its requirements are in 17 CCR §§1031, 1031.1, 1035, summarized on this page.
How many hours of training does California require?
An approved program must give at least 20 hours of basic and 20 hours of advanced lecture (40 in all) and at least 40 hours of practice in a clinical setting, where you complete at least 10 skin punctures and 50 venipunctures.
Do you need a national certification in California?
Pass a phlebotomy certification exam from a certifying organization approved by the department.
How much do phlebotomy classes cost in California?
8 California colleges report a phlebotomy program price to the U.S. Department of Education: $2,020 to $20,550, median $4,916 for tuition plus books and supplies (IPEDS 2023–24). Add the $50 state certificate fee and the exam fee.
How much do phlebotomists make in California?
The median California phlebotomist earned $56,040 a year ($26.94 an hour) in BLS May 2025 data, above the U.S. median of $45,230. The middle half earned $47,800 to $62,790.