Why Phlebotomists Get Certified

Most phlebotomy training program graduates elect to become certified in their skill, which attests in writing that the professional fulfils the requirements of the respective industry standards. They do it because it creates trust with employers and the general public. One example of a trusted certification entity is American Medical Technologists, who provide the Registered Phlebotomist Technician (RPT) exam.

Phlebotomy Certification By State

Each individual state decides their own licensing requirements for phlebotomists in their state. California requires all Phlebotomy Technicians to be certified and to have a state license and Louisiana and Nevada also mandate that their phlebotomists are certified. Many employers in all other states simply prefer to hire experienced clinical personnel and select those who have passed a national phlebotomy certification exam.

Certification Creates Trust

Passing the phlebotomy professional certification testifies to the fact that the certified individual has passed certain standards in skills and knowledge, which includes human anatomy, physiology, phlebotomy techniques, pathology, and medical terminology. In some instances, for those without formal training from a qualifying school, they can take the certification exam based on the years of uninterrupted work experience in the field, in lieu of formal training.

NAACLS fully accredits about 479 programs for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, medical and clinical laboratory technicians, histotechnologists and histotechnicians, cytogenetic technologists, and diagnostic molecular scientists. NAACLS also approves about 60 programs in phlebotomy and clinical assisting. Other nationally recognized agencies that accredit specific areas for clinical laboratory workers include the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

Phlebotomy Certification in California

Some states now require that their phlebotomists are certified, one of these states is California. A certificate is an official document affirming some fact, for example, a birth certificate testifies to basic facts regarding a person's birth, a marriage certificate testifies to basic fact regarding a person's marital status. A certificate may also serve as an academic award to certify that a person has received specific education or has passed a test. In this case it documents that someone has passed a test or reached a specific standard of knowledge.

All regulations pertaining to California phlebotomists, clinical laboratory technicians, clinical medical assistants and patient care technicians filed with the CA Secretary of State are published in the California Code of Regulations, Title 17 (Public Health), Division 1 (State Department of Health), Chapter 2 (Laboratories), Subchapter 1 (Service Laboratories), Group 2 (Clinical Laboratory Regulations) are available on the Office of Administrative Law website by searching under California Code of Regulations, Title 17. More here.

Phlebotomy Certification Requirement In Louisiana

Louisiana phlebotomists that are working independently, such as those making home visits and thus, are not working under the direct supervision of a physician, as well as phlebotomists that are employed by a licensed clinical laboratory must be certified.

In Nevada

Nevada state legislation mandates that all laboratory assistants must be phlebotomy certified. Read: Washington Post: Drawing Without a License.

Certification Examination Services for Phlebotomists

Phlebotomy students should take their education serious and seek their instruction through approved training institutions, such as those accredited through National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA), the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) so that upon successful graduation they are eligible to sit for nationally recognized phlebotomy certification exams. Many different organizations sponsor phlebotomy certification. Below are some of the better known and recognized organizations in the USA.

National HealthCareer Association (NHA)
800-499-9092

American Medical Technologists (AMT)
(847) 823-5169

National Center for Competency Testing
(913) 498-1000

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
(312) 738-1336

American Society for Clinical Pathology
(312) 738-1336

National Credentialing Agency
(913) 438-5110