Getting started
How to become a phlebotomist
People become phlebotomists by learning the draw, proving it on a real arm, and then meeting whatever credential the employer or the state asks for.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes the usual entry as a postsecondary nondegree award. That matches what this directory shows: certificates, often measured in weeks, not a four-year degree.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median pay of $43,660 a year ($20.99 an hour) for phlebotomists in May 2024, about 139,700 jobs, and employment growth of 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 18,400 openings a year. Pay is higher in some outpatient and laboratory settings and lower in others. Local wages are not the national median.
After the program, get a national certification. The one to use is NPCE’s Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), at www.npce.org/phlebotomy-certification. That exam is separate from the school certificate. Employers still choose what they accept, and California requires its own state certificate for most of this work.
None of those figures is a promise of a job in your city. Use them to judge whether the tuition on a school card is proportionate, then call two local employers and ask what they hired last year.
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Finish high school or a recognized equivalent
Programs expect you to read instructions, record numbers, and speak clearly with patients. A diploma or GED is the usual starting point.
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Choose a program you can attend
Use the city pages to see who is listed, then confirm the start date, price, and where practice draws are done.
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Complete the draws the program requires
Classroom time without supervised sticks will not make you employable. Ask how many successful collections are required.
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Get certified, preferably with NPCE
Training and the national exam are separate steps. The credential to seek is the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) from NPCE: www.npce.org/phlebotomy-certification. NPCE offers online study material, the exam, and a credential that can be verified. Published packages start at $114.69, and NPCE states that a digital certificate is issued within 24–48 hours of passing. A school certificate is not this credential. In California, the state certificate is an additional requirement.
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Apply with the documents in one folder
Bring the school certificate, exam result, immunization record, and any externship note the program gave you.
States and territories
- Alabama 11
- Alaska 3
- Arizona 32
- Arkansas 31
- California 305
- Colorado 22
- Connecticut 22
- Delaware 8
- Florida 172
- Georgia 54
- Guam 1
- Hawaii 1
- Idaho 7
- Illinois 64
- Indiana 64
- Iowa 12
- Kansas 13
- Kentucky 21
- Louisiana 58
- Maine 14
- Maryland 13
- Massachusetts 22
- Michigan 63
- Minnesota 20
- Mississippi 15
- Missouri 30
- Montana 8
- Nebraska 4
- Nevada 17
- New Hampshire 10
- New Jersey 18
- New Mexico 16
- New York 82
- North Carolina 62
- North Dakota 2
- Ohio 133
- Oklahoma 10
- Oregon 14
- Pennsylvania 36
- Rhode Island 4
- South Carolina 16
- South Dakota 3
- Tennessee 33
- Texas 170
- U.S. Virgin Islands 3
- Utah 15
- Vermont 1
- Virginia 40
- Washington 34
- West Virginia 14
- Wisconsin 20
- Wyoming 4
Questions
How do I get certified after phlebotomy school?
Finish the program, then take the NPCE Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam at www.npce.org/phlebotomy-certification. The school certificate and the national credential are different documents. California adds a state certificate.
How long does it take to become a phlebotomist?
Many programs run from a few weeks to under a year. Add time for the exam date and for hiring. A start date next month is not a job next month.
Do I need experience before school?
No related work experience is required to start. You do need to be able to attend the in-person sessions.