How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician: Education, Training, and Where You Can Work

A Phlebotomy Technician is a highly skilled medical professional who collects blood from patients, prepares the samples for testing, and maintains medical equipment. Phlebotomy Technicians play a critical role in healthcare settings like blood centers, hospitals, laboratories, and outpatient centers. 

Phlebotomy Technicians have a vital part in the diagnostic process. The employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 8% between now and 2032, which is faster than the average for most jobs. ¹

Are you interested in starting a career as a Phlebotomy Technician? Continue reading to see what education and training you need, and where you can work. 

What Education Do You Need to Become a Phlebotomy Technician? 

Most states don’t require Phlebotomy Technicians to have their certification. California, Washington, Louisiana, and Nevada are the only states where it’s required. However, it’s strongly recommended to choose a program that prepares you for and offers a certification attempt. 

Many different institutions can help you earn your Phlebotomy Technician certification. Consider if the certification exam is included in your chosen program and, if so, which organization it’s with. 

Bryan University’s Phlebotomy Technician Certificate Program prepares you to take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) certification exam and includes the cost of one exam attempt in tuition. 

To become a Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) you must have a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalent and complete a training program, like the one at BU, or provide proof of work experience in the field. 

To qualify for the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam, you must: 

• Complete a phlebotomy technician training program within the last five years
• OR provide proof of a year of supervised experience in a phlebotomy technician field within the last three years
• OR provide proof of two years of supervised work experience within the last five years

To take the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam, your training program must require at least 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary or finger sticks on live patients. Students enrolled in BU’s Phlebotomy Technician Certificate Program must fulfill these puncture requirements before graduation.

Where Do Phlebotomy Technicians work? 

Phlebotomy Technicians can work a variety of shifts in several different settings, including: 

• Clinical laboratories

• Hospitals

• Community health centers

• Nursing homes

• Doctors’ offices

• Blood donation centers

Other job titles Phlebotomy Technicians can hold include Phlebotomist, Traveling Phlebotomist, Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy, and Donor Center Technician. 

Are You Ready to Become a Phlebotomy Technician? Enroll at Bryan University Today! 

Bryan University’s Phlebotomy Technician Certificate Program is accelerated and designed to train you beyond the basics of collecting blood specimens. The program provides on-the-job situations and is driven by employer input. 

BU’s program is 100 hours of combined didactic and laboratory instruction completed over four weeks. CPR certification and an attempt at NHA’s Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam are included in tuition! Bryan U students must also successfully complete 30 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures to graduate. 

Are you ready to take the next step? Enroll in Bryan University’s Phlebotomy Technician Certificate Program today! 

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Phlebotomists at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/phlebotomists.htm (visited March 28, 2024). Also online at https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9097.00. Note that job market conditions are dynamic and can change. This data is not intended to predict the market conditions that will be present when you graduate from your program and may differ based on your geographic location and other factors. ↩︎