CPT (NHA) - Certified Phlebotomy Technician

The Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) certification is a professional credential for individuals who specialize in drawing blood for diagnostic testing, transfusions, research or blood donations. This certification, offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), validates a technician's competence in phlebotomy techniques, safety protocols and patient interaction.

Eligibility

To be eligible to take the CPT exam, candidates must have a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency and meet one of the two following criteria:

• Completed a phlebotomy technician education or training program in the past 5 years

• Completed 1 year of supervised work experience as a phlebotomy technician within the last 3 years or 2 years within the last 5 years

CPT exam candidates must also provide proof that they’ve performed at least 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary or finger sticks on live people.

Completion Time: 2 hours

Cost: $125

Exam Format

The CPT exam is a multiple-choice test administered at approved locations, such as the candidate's education institution. They’re also administered at PSI testing centers nationwide. The exam includes 100 scored questions and 20 unscored pretest questions on the following topics:

• Safety and Compliance (25)

• Patient Preparation (23)

• Routine Blood Collection (30)

• Special Collection (7)

• Processing (15)

Preliminary score reports are available immediately upon completion of computer-based exams taken at the candidate's educational institution. Score reports for candidates who take computer-based exams at PSI testing centers or via Live Remote Proctoring are available within 48 hours of completing the exam. Candidates who take a written exam receive their score report within 24 hours of NHA receiving the answer sheets, which can take up to 10 business days following the exam date.

Unsuccessful candidates may retake the exam after a 30-day waiting period. Candidates may take the exam 3 times before having to wait 1 year to take the exam again. For each exam retake, candidates must re-register and pay the full exam fee each time.

Application Process

• Create a free online NHA account

• Submit completed CPT exam application

• Schedule and pay for an in-person or online exam

CPTs must renew their NHA certification every 2 years. They must complete continuing education and pay a renewal fee. For those who’ve let their certification lapse, they have up to 1 year to reinstate it.

Renewal Fees

• $179 every 2 years

• $60 for each additional NHA certification an applicant holds

Renewal requirements include completing 10 continuing education credits within each 2-year certification cycle. NHA offers CE courses to current CPT certificate holders. Renewal applicants holding multiple NHA certifications only need to complete 10 CE credits total to renew all certifications.

• CPT Study Guides and Practice Tests

• CPT Exam Prep

• NHA Candidate Handbook

• CPT Text Plan

The NHA also offers the following certifications:

• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)

• Certified EKG Technician (CET)

• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

• Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT-A)

• Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS)

• Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) 

• Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Other related certifications include:

• ASCP Phlebotomy Technician (PBT)

• AMT Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT)

• NPA Certified Phlebotomist Technologist (CPT)

• NCCT National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT)

• ASPT Phlebotomy Technician Certificate (PTC)